New-York tribune., 1880-10-04
THE OCTOBER ELECTIONS.

One week more remains for work III the
October States. The future of the. country
for many years, the credit OF the Nation, the
safety of all investments, the prosperity OF
its industries ana tie wages Of It's labor, may
depend upon the work to be done and the de-
cision to be reached by voters during this very
week. Not unnaturally, men speak of such a
contest as of great la lie. For the honor
and prosperity Of the country, and the very
existence of the NatlUn with its free institu
tons, did not tiemble in the balance more
truly when the fight ragged at Gettysburg,
than at this hour in the October Stats. A
single bullet might have turned the scale
when the rebel charge was Iepulsed. and II
single ballot, or the well-drected and earnest
work of single man, may decide political
contest of incalculable importance.
The thoughtful and conscientious citizens of
the October States should remember this week
that peculiar responsibility rests upon them.
By their own choice their State elections are
made of National importance. So long as the
people of those States choose to vote for State
officers and members of Congress II month be-
fore the Presidential election. so long they
must bear the grave responsibility of
Many honors and large rewards have been
given to the jealous and able men who have
done much in Ohio or Indiana TO shape the
results OF Presidential elections by their efforts
in October, but if the conspicuous position
which those States hold Is to be retained,
they must not fail at such an emergency as
this The Republican cause might yet prevail,
if its candidates in Ohio or Indiana should he
defeated in October, but the work would De
harder and the struggle more doubtful. Pos
sibly failure in either OF these States might
result in a disputed Presidential election, with
incalculable consequences.
Hence it is that no man has a right to vote
n Democratic ticket in October who does not
mean to elect Democratic President in No
vember. The questions of local policy sink
into insignifcance when it is remembered that
each vote cast for a State ticket may count
more than many votes month later for
President and Vire-Presldcnt. If the people
of Ohio and Indiana are not convinced
that the Government of the Cntcd States
ought now to be turned over to the Demo-
cratic party, with all It's dangerous financial
tendencies, they have no right to promote
that result by electing Democratic State Off
GERS IN October If they do not dare to trust
the maintenance of the public credit, the
prosperity of the country, the soundness of
its currency, and the protection of its indus
try, to the Democratic party, they ought to
look upon a Democratic vote in October as an
act of faithlessness to theT own best in
tercsts.
There is real and serious danger that the
country may not get through the next winter
in peace if the October States make it possible
for the Presidency to turn upon the counting
Of the vote from single State. If Indiana
should fail to give Republican majority, for
example, there would then be a possibility
that the Democratic party might claim the
Presidency by the votes Of New-Jersey,
Oregon and Colorado. winch. with Indiana
and the Solid South, would make 16S votes,
h~ thanwin1 nnt tha vota nf Nnw-Ynrk. Tho