Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-01-13

alter and made things singulsrly un.
pleasant :or its adversary, II the Re-
lpaoliean party were 10 suffer severe
and crushing defeat such as the De-
mocrscy has more than once exper-
fenced, it-would doubtless 90 to pieces,
but the Democratic party is made of
tougher material. Ii stands for prin.
ciples which are Just and right and
upon which as foundation stones all
correct government rests. Though de.
feated and even discouraged it never
surrenders, never despairs and can
never die; and it has often shown itself
strongest after its antagonist when
most confident and apparently most
secure. 1t is a knowledge Of these
facts that inspires the organs of the
Republican party to urge active pre-
parstions for next summers fight, and
to utter warnings against Over-conf-
dence and apathy. The fact is that the
Republican leaders greatly fear the De-
mocracy of Ohio, and regard the pros
pect Of electing Republican Governor
and Legislature next fall as exceeding
ly doubtful, to say the least. The
margin Of votes between the two par
ties is so extremely small that a slight
change, so very slight as to be imper-
ceptable when scattered over the state
will change the majority to minority.
1t has come to be regarded as politi-
cal axiom in this state that it is only
possible for the Republicans to carry
the state when they poll their full
strength. They have no votes to spare,
no reserve to fall back upon. Every
man must be at the polls or they are
beaten. Next year is the "off year.
in politics and "off years" are general.
ly disastrous to the Republicans. Their
vote in the year following the Presi.
dental contest will not come ont.
Whether it is reaction from a politi.
cal tension too severely strained wheth-
er from indifference, over confidence
or from all these causes combined the
Republican vote falls off greatly in ''off
years and their grasp upon political
control becomes precarious The Dem
ocratic vote also decreases, but not to
so great an extent, because Democrats
are truer to their organization, and
more mindful of their political duties
than Republicans are. In 1872 the Re-
publicans carried the state by $4,000
plurality for Grant, and the defeat of
the Democratic party the country over
was much more crushing than that ex-
pelienced at the late election. Never
theless, the following year the Demo,
Gratis elected Governor by 2l7 ma.
jorty and Democratic Legislature as
well. Again in 1876, when the po.iti-
cal tension was strained to its greatest
limit the Republicans carried the state
for Hayes by 1000 majority, but in
the "off year. Of 1877 the Democrats
elected Governor Bishop by $4,000
and an overwhelmingly Democratic
Legislature. We do not say that other
bghg %eEs sa6dt Ct yoEk ufPd sded u
!, were subsidiary, the main cause being
the imposibilioy of rallying the full Re-
publican strength after the exciting
and exhaustive campaign of the pre-
ceding year. We do not undertake to
say, either, that because the campaign
of 1881 will be an "off year. campaign,
the state will necessarily go Democrat
ic. 1t would be suicidal for the Demo-
cratic party to rest upon any such a
deluson. The point that we want to
make is that the chances in "off years
are greatly with the advantages there
by afforded the state can be made to go
Democratic by proper action and proper
effort. The fact that the Democrats
carried the state in each of the wv"
Presidential contests, is perhaps i'll H.
self no reason why they will carry mex
fall, but it shows that they can carry
J if they will. The beating of drums in
| the Republican camp is conclusive
enough that they are greatly i'll fear
that the Democl ats Will In the coming
campaign take advantage Of this op-
portunty, and the weakness Of their
antagonist, and wrest the STATE from
his grasp as they did in 1878 and 1877.
If the Democratic party OF Ohio acts
with prudence and energy in the com
ing campaign, We do not make any
doubt at all that the next Governor
will be Democrat and the next Legs
. islature Democratic, whether the Re
publican nominee is Foster or anoIher.
1t is perhaps rather soon yet to enter
upon another political contest, but the
activity already apparent among the
Republicans is a sufficient warning to
their antagonists that it is time to be-
gin preparations. The outlook is prem-
is,ng, the chances are in our favor, and
it will not do to lose our vantage
ground by either inactivity in prepaia
ton for the campaign or error hereaf>
ter in carrying it on.--Plain Dealsr.
Gen. Grants Arabian Horses.
The Sultan of Turkey presented