Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-02-19
New York or Nothing.

One thing Democratic leaders must
bear in mind. The party can make
no impression upon the great Repub-
lican States of the Northwest this
year. If it is to have fighting chance
for success in the Presidential contest
soon TO open it must encamp on the
old ground and begin hostilities on
the old lines. There is no escape from
it. The battle field must be where it
was in 1880 and in 1876. From the
positions then occupied by the party,
and still open toit, success possible.
From any other standpoint Dcmocra-
cy will wage from the first hope
less and despaii'ing warfare.
In 1880, as in the campaign of four
years before, the Democrats set out to
carry the South, New York, New
Jersey, Connecticut and Indiana.
They failed in Indiana aud New
York, ana they therefore lost the elcc-
ton, but they came nearer to success
in those States than they did else
where, and they still remain debata-
bic ground. This cannot be said of
any other Northern states. The
splendid campaign mapped out by a
few Southern and Western enthusi-
asts now in Washington which con-
templates the abandonment of New
York to the Republicans and the car
rying by the Democrats of Michigan,
Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska on the
revenue reform issue is magnificent
in its outlines, but hollow, indeed, as
TO its real promise Of substantial re-
suits. There is without question a
demand in the West fora thorough
revision of the tariff and for the lopp-
ing OH of the countless special priyi-
lcgcs conferred upon protected mo-
nopolies of every description, but this
sentiment has not yet crystali2ed, and
among Republicans there is a di'posi-
ton to give their own party still
further opportunities to heed and act
upon the demands Of the people. A
Presidential campaign between the
two old parties fought out in the West
would result in Democratic disaster
both East and West. Mr.. Conkling',
cOntcmptuous remark that anybody
(Rcpublcan) can carry Michigan is
as applicable TO that state to-day as il
was in 1880 and the same may be said
of Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and all
other Western states. They cannot
be carried for the Democrats this ycai
on any issue, righteous Va ""';eLt
eous. Persistent campaigning IN IA
yor of revenue reform and tariff re
duction would produce results il
time, but not in one year or in foul
years.
Elections held last fall in the various
states cleared the political situation o
many uncertainties. Massachusetts
and PENNSYLVANIA wheeled back int
the Republican column, and New
York, though nominally Democratic
elected one Republican candidate, TIN
head of the'ticket. Virginia, for SOM
years in the hands of Malone, re
turned to the Democratic fold, AM
Ohio, alwa, Republican in Presiden
tial years, elected a Democratic Gov
ernor. Probably no one will den
that Massachusetts, and Pennsylvani
will remain Republican, as Nirgim
- will remain Democratic, and, doubt
less, it will not anywhere be main
tanned that Ohio will vote next fal
as il did last. These proposition
II being granted, the situation resolve
5. itself down to this; The Democrat
remain in possession of the Souther
= and border states, and the Republ
cans either hold or are certain to II
gain all the Nothern States usual
classed as safe for them in Presidel
\ tial years. Neither party has game
any lasting advantage over the otht
since 1876, and both remain reasoni
blv secure in their old-time strong
holds, with only New York, Indian
o' Connecticut and one or two of the L
- cific States in doubt.
III Unless, then, the Democratic par
TO intends by new and radical depar
urc on economicsissues to engage in
campaign in the West which cann'
possibly be eiiectual this year,
though giving promise of ultima
success. it must so shape its poll,
Wlln TcIerCllCC w OCululuuloo Nhu Piu
form as to secure the electoral vot
of New York, New Jersey and Go
nccticut or California. The Southe
a and border states, all certainly De-
:. ocratic, have 153 ELECTORAL votes. I
y Democrats might carry these a
- Connecticut, New Jersey lndiana,N
vada and California, and still la
enough votes to elect a Preside
JG With a popular candidate and 81
g. sible platform they might easily cal
all of the Northern States last nam
but where would the remaining vo
necessary to success come fro
Cor They must be given by New York
live state that is oftener Democratic Il
,eip Republican. Without that state