Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-04
The Presidential Campaign of 1854.

The campaign now ended will ever be memora-
bic for the issues on which IL turned the popular
interest aroused, the complications and revots OF
the contest, and the doubt which enveOped the re-
sui: TIL the very close. Even before the nOminat-
ing conventions were held there were symptoms of
trouble but the favorite In both In spite OF the
Efforts OF angry minorites, and the choice In each
case was ratified by the most botsterous Demon
strations OF approval Then came season Of dull
ness, while both parties prepared for the struggle
In the fail. varied only by the sde-show" conven-
tons and row and then drive at the candidates
as they rested in dignifed retirement one at Mount
Desert and the other in the Adirondack wilder
hess
As election day I'm Maine approached. however.
the light grew eager MI. Blaine took personal
command. and his staff OF republican leaders
caught his own active spirit and made short,
hot light for the standard, and 1t. Then, after
another lu the strife transferred to the west:
and from that time on 10 the end there was no let
up by either party Both candidates were sphjec-
ted 20 a hail OF personal abuse involving charges
Of the most startling and defamatory character.
The democrats especially conducted their canvass
Oh the simple ground that the republican party N
general and its candidate in particular were not
honest. and therefore, not worthy of holding office
From first TO last scarcely a word has been heard
on that side on what are commonly understood to
FORM the staple OF campaign controversies. The
held closer 20 traditional lines In this respect
phasiziny so far possible, one OF the fundamen-
tai principles OF their party the value OF the pro-
tective policy to the American labOrer. They have
however not heSicated 10 avail themselves or what
ever profit might be gained by the exposure Of
flaws in Gov. Cleveiand's private character
one OF the most striking features of the cam
paign has been the diSarrangenent OF party lines.
The south, TO be sure, has remained solid, or, as
Mr.. EvartS described 1t, an "fnert, sullen mass"
but al through the north there has been O confu-
Sion next TO chaos. There have been notable con-
versions on both sides and with the fierce zeal that
proverbally marks the apostate, these converts or
peryerts. have been the most busy and bitter of all
men, The most Jealous supporters OF Cleveland
have been republicans, and Blaine has found some
or his most efficient helpers within the ranks OF the
democracy. This confusion has been greatly
helped by the presence IN the field OF two side can
didates, hopeless Of success except as they might
affect the chances OF the two regular nominees.
Whatever IaDguor characterized the opening OF
excitement at the close. That veracious and ven
cradle person. 'the oldest ihhabitant," never saw
anything like the contest Of 1884
And now what IS 70 be the outcomes NOBODY
knows; nobody can make even an Intelligent
guess The New York newspapers, now at the
edge or the precipce, are curious reading The
World assures its readers that the state is certain
for Cleveland by sixty thousand majority and that
II IS nonsense 10 call Indiana even doubtful: In
other words, that Cleveland Is as good as elected
on the other hand the Tribune declares that
Blaine viii carry every northern state. And the
trouble Is that there Is no middle ground. Both
sides seem equally certain OF success and OF win
ming by q tida-wave majority