The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-10-23

tco"ito VI t'ie NStOTy III Ine IuLQro
which must he even ri IRE appalling to
the discounted Republican leaders This
is the first time the Democrats have ever
carried Ohio twice in consecutive con.
tests since the Republicans won their
first victory with Chase twenty -eigh,
years ago, and it is the first time tha,
they have won in O lio with full vote
polled Thev carried OHIO in 1862 in
the general Republican demonstration
over the emancipation proclamation, bu,
Val'andigham was beaten for Governor
100 600 the next year They elected
Allen Governor in 1873 by scratch on
very light vote, but lost all their other
State can'liiates. In 1874 OHIO was en-
gu fed in the snti-Grant tide along with
Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and manv
other Republican States. But 1875
brought her back to her old Republican
mooring by the election Of HAYES as
Governor n 1877 another light vote
and general Republican demoraliz ,tiou
gave the Democrats the State by default.
In 1878 the R.puhliclns resained the
State and held it until last wear, when
it was again carried bv the Democrats,
presumably nv the llIuor issue. but
largely bv stav-at home R 'puhlicans.
PRELIMINARY BATTLE To 1884.
Y .sterdaY both parties voted, both
digniiied the contest into naional i'm
portancs as. 6hs df the most vital pre-
liminary battles of 1884. The Repub-
lican machinery and means were ex:en.
sivelv employcl to save the State for
the Presidential rae. and what have
heretofore been accidents o. Democratic
victoru 10 Ohio now command the re-.
spect due really victorious party with
an apparent lease Of power limited to
good behavior. According to modern
Democratic 9rece1ents, that may not be
regarded as promise of long-contin-
ued Democratic rule in Ohio, but il the
Republican leaders suppose that Ohio is
certain or even probable Republican
State for 1884 they eravely misuader-
stand the situation. 1t luoks like the
breaking no of long Republican win
ter in the Buckeye State aud only Dem
ocratic bunders or crimes can restore
the lost Republican mower. Its organi.
zation is visibly afflicted with the dry
rot its vitality is gone; its leadership
is weakened by self ,hness, jealousy and
senility, and is rallviug power has per-
Ished. The Republican paralysis that
gave the Democrats victory yesterday
was not clearly visible before the elec-
ton, as it was obscurei by the greatly
exaggerated liquor issue But a calm
survey of the field to-1ay must convince
auv intelligent observer that the much
feared liquor issue was one of the least
important factors in the Republican de.
feat. Hamilton utterly failed the Dem
ocrats and astounded both sides by the
loss of thousands to Hoadly in the Ger
man wards and Cuyahoga falls thous
snds short of what seemed to be war
ranted Democratic expectations The
wine.makers of the lake shore present
the only material R,publicaa revolt and
tLey are small element in vote OF
seven hundred thousand.
CAUSES OF THE DEFEAT.
The two causes which most contribu-
ted to defeat the Republicans were:-
First, the Prohibitionists voting tor their
own State ticket, and, second, the wool
growing counties resenting the reduced
tariff on wool. strange as it may ap-
pear, thousands of Republican WOOL
growers voted SO rarely tor the Demo-
Gratis because Senator She,ma and the
Republican Congressman from OHIO
voted for the reduced projection in
wool, while Senator Psndletou and the
Democratic Congressman voted against
the new tariff, aud the Democratic gains
in the wool.growing regions startled
both parties In every woo.-growing
county the Democ ats gained on their
vote OF last year. and in some districts
very largely. The Prohibitlonists are
mainly r 'pablcans and their voting for
a third ticket was an act of superlatlve
folly viewed from any cammon sense
but political Prohibitionists
are not amenable to common sense laws
In politics Tney believe tilat the tail
is the dog. and II the Prohibition tail
can't wag the political dog they care lit
tie who or what win, by them throwing
their votes away. 1t was not the liqnor
vote Of Ohio that elected the proclaim
Ell canliia'e Of the liq Tor interest; it
was the Prohibitionists, who stultifisi
the nselses bv giving the liflor men
most lul lpdrtant victory and the wools
growers who deserted the party of pro
lection 10 Oaid and voted for d party
that is largely Tree trade, I'd resent the
sncroachment Of free trade Upon the
wool interest 1t has been bv such
succession of conflicting PURPOSES and
actions that the Republicans are hot
5nlv .beateH bat routed in Oaio; but had
the r ,publlcsn party and organ d ,tion
been vigorous ami eqlsl to its great
achiev ments Of the past il would have
rallied the Prohbi,iontsts and the wool
growing Republicans to the party stan
lard that has male the bravest battles
I'd restrain the evils Of the liquor traffic
and to malntain the protective policv:-
1t was Republican, disintegration rather
lhan Democratic unity or strength or
that made Oaio Democratic
AMI 1t was vastly less of a
local contest than the leaders Of both
sides have supposed.
fHE Liquor QUESTION.
The prohibition amendment is defeat
ed, but ii has polled an immense vote
a vote that will make the Prohibitionists
to take far-back pews in the
political congregation hereafter, aud
vete that should greatly conserve the