Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-23
Ohio and West Virginia.

mined TO play against the Democrats the
very game which the Democrats had pre-
viously decided TO play sgains. the Repub-
hcans. The Democrats, knowing that for
them 10 carry Ohio in October would be to
elect CLEVELAND then instead Of In No
vcmbcr, have talked good deal about
throwing men and money into that state.
and. by carrying the State, making an end
OF the presidential fight at once. The Re-
publicans, on the other hand, profess TO
he so confident OF carrying Ohio three
weeks from to-day that they lave begun TO
think OF trying to carry West Virginia
at the same time. and so, breaking up what
is called the d" solid South" and carrying
Ohio, ending the presidential fight few
weeks hence. In word. the Republicans
have concluded that an October victory in
West Virginia may serve their purposes as
completely as an October victory in Ohio
could serve those Of the Democrats; that il
would demoralize the Democrats as much
to lose West Virginia as it would democrat.
ize the Republicans to lose Ohio; that II
the Republicans carry both West Virginia
and Ohio in October their party win be as
favorably circumstanced as would be the
Democratic party should the latter carry
both those States at that time.
AS the Republican leaders have acted
upon this hint, the campaign in West Vlr-
gina has assumed an added importance and
now presents a new phase. As SAYS the
Wheeling h,feiligencer, the leading Repub-
lican paper in West Virginia, the most
notable political event in the history OF
Wheeling in recent years will occur next
Thursday, when General LOGAN, Pig-Iron
KELLEY, Congressman TAYLOR (oi Ohio
and CORP (oi West Virginia. and Others
will make grand effort to capture the
Mountain State. There is to be a monster
meeting"
We have heretofore said that the Repub-
leans must get a large majority in Ohio in
October, or else the Democrats will have
right TO claim the result as q substantial
victory for them. The New York Sun pre-
sents the following view OF the situation IN
the two States under consideration. II
says:
"Mr. Clevelands main reliance Is on the
solid South. Any signs OF weakness there
as early as the middle of October would
blight his prospects. IL IL this fact which
gives importance TO the contest in West
Virginia. The chances Of success are with
the Democrats. They must carry the
State in October, for 1t is factor in
the sum total Of the solid South
which cannot be spared. It's loss might
be regarded rs foreshadowing tleve-
kinds overthrow In November. Ohio has
always voted for the Republicans in the
presidential years. As IL goes in October,
so il ever goes IN November. The conflict
will be waged with unusual yigor on both
sides. Mr.. Blaine cannot afford to lose the
State in October. II the Republicans barely
pull through, it will encourage the sup
poriers Of Mr.. Cleveland TO fight on dog
gedly 10 the close OF the campaign. II the
Republicans sweep the state after the
Maine fashion, 1t will produce a prodigious
effect in BIaine's favor everywhere till the
end OF the struggle"
The Suns estimate OF the effects OF
large or OF small Republican majority in
Ohio in October agrees precisely with our
own. So also that paper Is right when il
says that the chances OF success in West
are with the Democrats. On this
last point Senator GORMAN. assistant chair
man of the Democratic National Committee,
who has recently returned to New York
from q visit TO West Virginia, reported in
that city that the Democrats in West Vir-
GINA were well organized and enthusiastic.
All the leading men in the party there were
confident that the Democrats would carry
the State in October and in November.
This agrees with our information on the
subject. We conclude that II the election
Of BLAINE is to depend upon Republican
success in West Virginia next month, he
will never occupy the White House.
How as to Ohio? Well, BLAINE is going
TO Ohio soon, and his presence there may
have some favorable influence upon the
fortunes Of the Republican party of that
State. Indeed. his visit to Ohio may make
it necessary for CLEVELAND to 60 thither
also. Nevertheless, as at present advised.
and not needing the advice Of the timid
Democrats who fear to claim Ohio lest our
forces be discouraged by its loss, we must
add that we do not wholly despair of cur
rying Ohio next month. The Democrats
bave ga fighting chance" and surely they
are making gallant fight. And the Demo-
Gratis will undoubtedly claim a victory there
IL the Republican majority falls below
ten thousand in q vote Of 100000.