The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-08-21
The Democratic Situation.

Inc Democratlc canvass Is progress
ing quietly and serenely. Those who
have the campo; on in charge are ap-
parently surrounded by an atmosphere
of confidence that is rarely felt at the
beginning of a great political contest.
| The confidence which the Democratic
leaders feel seems to be warranted by
the state of public Opinion-that con-
, sentative public opinion which makes
its influence felt as we sometimes see
great wheel moved by invisible and
nOiseless machinery. There is much in
the present situation to remind one of
the situation in 1876, albeit the conf
dence of the more thoughtful observers
is greater now than it was then. The
issue then was upon administrative re-
form, and this issue. important then,
has become paramount. People who
have real and abiding interest in the
honest and economical administration
of public affairs perceive clearly that
the Only road to any species of reform,
either in taxation or in expenditure, is
in the direction of Democratic success.
They perceive that there can be no re-
form of any kind as long s-the Repub-
lican party retains its corrupt hold OH
the Government.
1t is worthy of note that every obiec-
ton that has been made to the record
of Governor Cleveland, either by Repub-
licans or by so-called Democrats, pro-
ceeds from some interested individual,
from some person who has an AK to
grind. No one intimately connected
with the people, no one who has real
sympathy for the laboIing classes and
for all classes, has thus far made any
objections to Governor CIeveland's rec
ord, or any complaint in regard to the
manner in which he has conducted the
affairs of the great State of New York.
Governor Cleveland has managed to
rerder himself obnoxious to John Kelly,
as any honest, conscientious man would
inevitably have done, and the result is
that Mr.. Blaine's fuglemen are making
a desperate attempt to carry the Irish
vote, having already bought up such
Irish newspapers as are in the market
This is as far as the Blaine campaign
has proceeded, and this is not very far,
it must be conceded, for no sensible
and honest Irishman will vote for the
Republican candidate for President with
the idea that he proposes to free Ireland
or to engage in war with Great Britain,
or that he will afford greater protection
to American citizens abroad than a
Democratic President. Such an idea
would be foolish in the extreme, for it
is not to be supposed that candidate
for President who deliberately declares
it to be the intention of his party to put
a stop to Irish and German immigra-
ton can have any great sympathy for
the Irish voters in this country, or for
the unfortunate. Irish across the water
who have for so many years been the
victims of British tyranny and oppres-
sion.
The advantage of the situation thus
far is undoubtedly with the Demo ,rats,
lind there is no reason to believe that
there will be any serious changes. The
detection of Tammany has been over
stated and overrated-a fact that will
fully appear on election day-and all
the other signs are more than favora-
bic. The revolt against Blaine is in re-
atty revolt against Republican cor
ruption by honest and conscientious
Republicans. The nomination of Mr..
Blaine was simply the excuse for a
movement that has been gathering
strength and volume ever since the
Credit Mobilier exposures, and it
extends among class of Re-
publicans that p1ides itself in voting
in behalf of the moralities. The
Blaine ticket is supported by the
oflice holding and office-seeking class.
This is its strength, and it is a strength
we are not at all disposed to under
rate.
The result in Ohio in October is far
more important to the Republicans
than it is to the Democrats; for if the
Democrats should carry the State the
Blaine campaign woald Immediately |
collapse: but if the Republicans should |
carry it, the Democratic canvass would |
not be materially affected, since it is
well known that Ohio is Republican |
State. The Germans carried the State |
for Hoadley at the last election, and il |
is well known that they are anti-prohi- |
btiOn. For that and other reasons,
they are not fond of Mr.. Blaine, and |
the outlook is that they will vote in Oc- |
tober as they voted in the Governors
election the Democratic ticket.
With View York almost certainly /
and Ohio probably SO,
there is every reason for believing that
Indiana viii be brought back into the
Democratic column. Mr.. Hendricks
has already demonstrated his earnest
ness, and. as he is the most popular
man in the State. there is no reason to
doubt that he will be able to neutralize
the effect of the Republican corruption
fund that is certain to be sent into Indi-
ana We think our readers will agree
with us that the Democratic situation
is more than satisfactory. There is no
confusion, no fuss, no blrster. The
is moving forward quietly
and with confidence. In no Presiden-
hal year since the war has the Demo-
cratic party ever had more reason for
hope, or better excuse for ind1ging in
sef-congratulation. -AtIayt0 CoaxstE
hon. -