Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-06-26
They Must Depend Upon Themselves.

1t is natural for those Republican,
who have resolved not to vote for Blain,
to belive that great many ofthe mem
bers of their party share the same pur
pose. But it will not do for the Demo
Gratis to count upon receiving help from
Republican disaffection. 1t is true thai
the movement against Blaine, begun by
Republican journals of wide influence
and circulation, shows signs of increase
and may yet grow to a noteworthy
size; but the quantity of actual vote:
which it will represent by election day
must be unknown and may be incon-
siderable.
In party having the habit of disci-
pline and the faculty of organization in
such a mark degree as the Republican
party, the chances of great and COM
bined revolt are not large. Sporadic
disaffection is always likely to be mani
tested after the nomination of a candi-
date for the presidency, but it has
hitherto remained sporadic and ineffec-
tual. In off years certain amount OF
bolting may be expected, but when q
President is to be elected Republicans
are pretty sure to vote the Republican
ticket.
Formidable as the opposition of some
Republican newspapers to Blaine seems
to be, it is more than possible that it
may not produce results commensurate
with the ability and the intensity OF
conviction which direct it. An able
newspaper has great power, but it is
doubtful If the ablest newspaper can
carry with it in opposition against even
the most objectional candidatea majori-
ty of its readers. 1t takes time for
great masses of men to change their
opinions, and old party ties cannot be
thrown off easily and suddenly.
Nor should it be forgotten that many
of the Republicans who are prominent
in opposition to Blaine are men whose
motives are doubtless highly creditable,
but who always seem anxious to parade
their independence. There is little evil
dence as yet that disaffection has
reached the great body of Republicans
who pride themselves on their faithful
ness to their party just as some of the
young republicans pride themselves up
on their readiness to desert it.
The Republicans have seen indiffer-
ence and discord as great as now pre-
vail in their party give way before the
end of the campaign to confidence and
enthusiasm. 1t cannot fairly be said
that the Republican prospects are more
unfavorable now than they were before
the Fifth Avenue conference in 1880.
The opposition to Blaine comes not from
the practical politicians to the rank and
file of the party, but mainly from peo-
pie who do not always take the trouble
to vote. These people are not easily
satisfied, and if they shall now vote,
some superfine candidate of their own
is more likely to receive their support
than is the Democratic candidate,
whoever he may be. Who the Demo-
cratic candidate should be they are sure.
But they are finical in their notions,
and the Democratic Convention may
not take their advice.
Till the Democratic Convention
meets, the opponents of MIR. Blaine
don't know themselve where they stand,
and it would be strange if an opposition,
not yet sure of its course, should grow
rapidly. The anti-Blaine Republicans
may not vote, or they may vote for the
Democratic candidate they are allowed
to name him; or they may set up can
didate of their own. So the chances of
the Democrats receiving much help
from them are not as great as some
Democrats seem to suppose.
But even if they should support the
Democrrtic ticket, it is not certain that
the Democrats would gain anything
more from such support than would be
lost by Democratic detection which
may be counted on to occur in the
event of certain nominations being
made. The opposition to Blaine seems
to be. confined to Massachusetts, and
New York. 1t is, perhaps, little rash
to suppose that any Democrat can car
ry Massachusetts, in national election.
The one candidate who would poll the
biggest vote in that State happens to be
a man whom most of the Republican
malcontents regard with no kindly
eyes.
AS for New York, the Democrats can
carry it by putting up strong candi-
date, but he ought to be the strongest
man in the opinion of the Democrats,
not of the disaffected Republicans. The
Democracy can carry New York and
the election by naming worthy candi-
dates, establishing wise and honest
platform, and doing good, hard work.
They can elect Democratic President,
and of course. they will be glad to get
all the Republican votes they can; but it
will be fatal mistake to rely too much
upon Republican support. They must
depend upon themselves.-M Y Sun.