New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-09
TILE ELECTION ~ OHIO.

The campaign IN ONO closes Tonight WIIh
both parties hopeful if not confident OF
success but with both really fearing de-
feat AS our dispatches show, there are
so many elements both unusual and con-
flictng, entering INTO the calculation, that the
most experienced political prophets are
puzzled. The temperance question has been
the main issue, but one party has been afraid
to touch it at all, and the other party has not
been able to take a united position upon it.
The Democrats have avoided nearly all men
! ton of the question in their canvass, although
| they have spared no efforts to win the support
of the liquor interests by giving the brewers
and dealers to understand that if the Dem
ocratic candidates are elected their business
will not be restricted and will net he taxed.
They have presented the curious attitude of
being the known advocates OF policy which
they do not dare to defend openly. That Is
sufficient evidence of the character of the
policy. The success of the Democratic ticket
will mean an offensive and defensive alliance
between the Democrats and iquOr-dealers
against all opposing interests and in favor of
the unrestricted and untaxed sale of liquor.
1t will be construed as the verdict of the people
of Ohio that there shall be no legislative or
ture of liouor. We have not believed, and
we hesitate to believe now, that majority of
the people of Ohio are ready to give that YER
dict
Republican prospects of success are slightly
endangered by the lack of unanimity among
the leaders of the party. While there Is no
disagreement on the general proposition that
liquor ought to be taxed and its sale forbidden
on Sunday, there is disagreement about the
wisdom or necessity of forcing the issue III
this campaign. A large section of the party,
led by Governor Foster and the Hon. Richard
Smith of The Cincinnati Gazette, have insisted
from the outset that the issue must be made
now that public sentiment demands 1t, and
that it will be fatal for the Republicans to at
tempt to evade the question. They admit that
the advocacy of taxation and restriction will
cost the Republican party several thousands
of German Republican votes. but they claim
that the loss will be more than made good
by the accession of Temperance Democrats
and Probibitionists. They declare their
belief that if the Republicans will take an
uncompromising and united stand against the
Democratic position of Free Whlskey and
No Sunday" the party will have nothing to
fear. Another large section of the party, led
by Senator Sherman and Mr.. MuIat Hastead
of The Cincinnati Commercial, take opposite
ground. They deny that there is any reason
for thrusting the temperance question into this
campaign. They say, with entire truth, that
the election cannot have any practical effect III
either helping or hindering the taxation and
restriction projects, since the minor State
officers to be elected will have no power III
the premises, and since no members OF the
Legislature are to be voted for. They claim
that next year will be time enough to decide
upon the matter, when a new Legislature and
a State government will be chosen. Senator
Sherman admits that the temperance issue may
have to be met hereafter, especially II the
liquor interests are foolish enough to form an
alliance with the Democrats, and says when
the time comes the Republican party will take
its position solidy Gu the side of temperance.
Mr.. HalStead does not &c so far as this. He
looks upon the whole complication as a needless
and exasperating piece of laundering, due
primarily to the excessive political activity of
his friend and colaborer, Richard Smith
We do not venture to decide which section
is acting with the greater wisdom. 1t is
noticeable that both are about equally confident
OF party success tomorrow. Nevertheless, 1t
is undeniable that this division of sentiment
is the chief element of danger. ltprevents the
party fiom gaining the confidence Of the more
radical temperance people, and its most direct
result is likely to be large svote for the Pro-
hbitiOn ticket. Every vote for that ticket is
really a vote in favor of Democratic success,
and if the Republican discussions are deep
enough to drive some of their own numbers
over to the Prohbitionists, the danger OF de-
feat will be increased. To orrOw's voting
is likely to show good many unexpected
developments in which there will he lessons
for the leaders of all parties