The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-07-09
THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

ticians. Congress has adjourned; the
Conventions have been held the heated
term ia on tbs Letters OF Acceptance are
yet unwritten the chiefs are enjoying
season Of repcse while the subalterns are
gathering the sinews Of war and arranging
the details of the campaign. 1t is said
"there is no enthusiasm in this campaign"
There Is no enthusiasm evident the night
preceding battle when tired warriors rest
or fill their cartridge boxes and fry an ex-
ira slice Of bacon for the needs Of the NOR
row. But the battle line is not less firm
and resolute that strength has been hus-
banded not less irresistible that the BAN
ners wero furled and the bugles silent while
the pickets kept watch and the army was
sleeping. Let no one deceive himself with
the idea this will be tame campaign. We
believe rather 1t will be the fercest ever
waged for the Presidency. Certain it is The
Democracy will make desperate fight and
IL not met as determinedly by the Republl-
cans we will be defeated. This is known
and fully realized by the leaders. The Dem
ocrats will fight to elect Hancock or throw
the election into the House the Republi-
cans to elect Garfield by 80 decisive ma
jority that there can be no question and to
redeem the House from its Democratic ma
jority. This latter will expand the contest
to general engagement which might 9TH
erwise be concentrated almost wholly in
doubtful States.
There is no good to be gained by attempt
ing to disguise the fact that the Democrats
have nominated good and q strong man.
He is a better man than Tilden ana
stronger one than Greeley. The party and
the record of the party Hancock now leads
Is more Objectionable and more vulnera-
able than the man, 50 far as he is known to
the world. The party is no better than it
has been for twenty years and considerably
DO better than it ought to be. There is no
reason why it should be relatively any
stronger than it has been in that time, aud
we do not believe it 1t is. The Republican
party is better prepared for trial of issue
than it has been since the war. Hayes ad-
ministration has bred no scandals. 1t is
clean handed and invulnerable. The coun-
try is prosperous, and that counts heavily
in Presidential campaign in favor of the
party in power, as an unprosperous period
counts heavily against it. Under 1t the
country has had peace, honest administra-
ton, q restoration to financial health, the
maintenance of rights. The chief COM
plant against it has come from dissatisfac'
ton by Republicans with the Civil Service
orders, measures the country clamored for
and then kicked against as soon as the
President had acceded to the demand. Gar.
field, less impossible, will not yield so
readily to tickle public sentiment. Presi-
dent Grants early resolve to administer the
country without the politicians resulted in
a complete break down on that line. Pres
ident Hayes, without SO declaring, has
practically performed what Grant prom
Used. The result has been the personal
alienation of many potential Republican
leaders. The administration survived these
alterations without injury to irself, but is
not strengthened thereby as an active po-
litical force for tbs campaign. The main
fighting of the canvass has to be done by
many who are at least cool in their allie
glance TO the policy Of the administration,
and until the reorganization of the Nation
al Executive Committee there was no rec
ognized and duly empowered leader to di-
rect the chiefs. Hence the present inert
ness. The election Of Governor Jewell and
Senator Dorsey as Chairman aud Secretary
places the campaign under q leadership
that promises the best results. Beyond all
question, we believe, is the fact that defec-
ton in the Republican ranks Is the only
danger to be dreaded. While We hear muir.
murings of discomfort in the Democratic
ranks in New York and Indiana, and even
the solid South shows signs of disintegra-
ton in Virginia and the Carolinas, the col.
umns Of the Republicans north are unbro-
ken and we have good prospect OF carry
ing every Northern State. We are aware
there is some distrust OF the sincerity and
earnestness Of eminent leaders, but fee
assured another month will demonstrate al
apprehensions are visionary. There arr
men who can .forego pretense and enjoy the
holiday until the moment Of action, but nc
public man can hope to survive indifference
through the heat of supreme struggle
The causes we have cited were ample to ac
count for the repose that prevailed pending
the selection of the Democratic nominee
and the selection Of the Executive Com
mittee the DIN will be furious enough
henceforth and with every Republican il
ranks there is no reasonable doubt tina
Garfield will be elected.