The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-08-30
Waterman, What of the Night?

the public and analysed and discus
sed, an opportunity is now afforded
for Reviewing the situation and for
drawing differences as to the probable
issue of the campaign. When the last
Presidential contest had arrived at
similar stage it was involved in.con-
siderable uncertainty. But glance
at the progress Of the present cam
paign and a study of the most recent
events will show that the success of
the Republican nominee IS forgone
conclusion. Since the publication of
Mr.. Blaine's letter, the bolt of which
the instigators boosted so loudly has
dwindled down so rapidly until now
there is nothing left of it except the
few soreheads who started it. 1t was
soon discovered that, taking the prin-
ciple which was declared to be the
basis of the bolt, as a guide, Mr..
Blaine was far more desirable cam
didate than the Democratic nominee.
Mr.. Blaine's manly, straightforward
and honest letter attracted and united
all the elements of the party to an en-
thusiasm which increases as the cam
paign progresses. He has distinctly
declared his attitude towards the
leading issues of the day, and def
nitely outlined the policy which, if
elected, will inspire his course as chief
executive. The letter has inspired
confidence that the sound doctrines
enunciated in it will be honestly and
courageously carried out. On the
other hand, CleYeland's course with
his letter has not, by any means, been
such as to inspire respect or conf
dence in the man. He has acted the
part of a coward in the manner of
presenting his letter and in the state
ment of his views. His long delay
in publishing his acceptance was
viewed with suspicion, and his alb
solute refusal to allow 1t to be seen
before Butler had exhibited his man
ifesto conclusively proved that he
was afraid of the candidate of the
Peoples party. Nor was this I'M
favorable impression likely to be re-
moved by the contents of the letter.
The boasts and vauntings of those
who were responsible for his nomina-
ton had led to the expectation that
his letter would contain definite,
clear and succinct statement of politi-
cal principles. The rambling, hesi-
tating and disingenuous manner in
which he has gathered together a
combination of words to obscure,
mislead and deceive has thoroughly
disguised those who had up to that
time not fully made up their minds
how to vote.
The character of both of the candi-
dates has been assaulted by SANDER,
and the manner in which it has affect
ed them respectively is significant.
Blaine it has made stronger. The
malicious attempt only served to
bring to the surface the firm hold
which Blaine has upon the affections
of the people and the confidence they
have in his integrity. Upon Cleve-
land the effect has been the reverse.
Whether the charges are true or not
and with this we have no concern
they have exposed a very weak side
| in his character and have led to daily
increasing assertions among those
who had previously been enthusiast
tic in his support. All of those re-
ligious papers which endorsed the
nomination when 1t was made have
since withdrawn their support and
urged their readers to vote against
him. CIeyeland's claims as civil
service reformer and an Independent
statesman have been ventilated and
shown to have no foundation what
ever. This has also led to many 'le-
sertions from the Democratic ranks.
What will be the effect of the can.
didacy of Butler and of St. John /?
When the latter was nominated at
Pittsburg, it was hoped that he would
receive many more Republican votes
than Democratic ones, and in states
where this would result in Cleve-
lands advantage. 1t was soon dis
covered that there was no foundation
for this expectation. The evident in
sincerity of Governor Cleveland in
his reference to sumptuary legisla-
ton will not only lose him the conf
dence of the liquor men, but will also
recall those Republicans who had in.
| tended to vote the Prohibition ticket
to the necessity of preventing the
election of such disingenuOus dem.
agogue. Buffers entrance into the
field has caused great deal of alarm
among the Democrats, and with good
reason. Butler is causing sad havoc
in the Democratic ranks. Cleveland's
ill-advised vetOes in New York have
excited the hostility of all the labor