The Evening critic., 1884-09-17
The Outlook.



In four weeks tho election In OHIO and West
Virginia VIII AFFORD strong indication OF tho
nnal result In November. The situation has
changed materially during the past month.
Maine has shown much Of tho drift OF popular
feeling. Once more tho Republican party is
seen, compact, disciplined, resolute, grandly
In earnest, sweeping steadily forward to an
other struggle upon which, as upon that OF
Gettysburg, the history OF the Nation for many
years may turn. There is neither wavering,
nor nor fear; happily, also, there is not foolish
over confidence. That the struggle will BIO
desperate, Republicans know. That they can
win, and mean to win, those will realize who
study the returns from Maine.
Much that caused apprehension early In tho
campaign has been swept out OF the way alto
gether by this splendid triumph. The noisiest
opposition came from the so-called Independ-
ents. The returns from Maine have shown be-
yond doubt that the Independents make no
impression upon the people, and are in mum.
Der insignificant. Their assaults upon Mr..
Blaine are utterly impotent; the voters simply
refuse to think evil OF tried and honored
statesman because, out OF all his public and
private record for thirty years Of hourly temp.
tation, TWO phrases In two letters can be found
upon which bad construction can possibly
BIO placed. The sound judgment OF the clear
headed millions Is that II 10 not decent to put
bad construction upon phrases OF which an
honorable construction Is more In harmony
with all the known facts, and that no corrupt
man could have welded enormous power, and
without leaving behind clear evidences OF evil.
The millions brush away the elander and the
elanderers with contempt.
There was reason at one time to suppose
that the Democratic party would unite for tho
spells, and avoid discussion OF the tariff. III
Maine the experiment failed completely.
Now we have the FREQ trade organs and
leaders claiming the party, the platform and
the candidate as their own, ana they are fully
Justified by the record OF the last session OF
Congress-. Public opinion is clearly awaken
Ing. Evasion OF the main Issue between the
parties will not be possible. The Republicans
have only to place the Morrison bill before
the people-the bill framed by the very man
who reported the National Democratic plat.
form and supported by four-nfths OF the
Democratic members-and to ask whether It
Is safe to have Democratic President to sign
such bill. If any man doubts what the poo
pie think about 1t let him hear the news from
II was feared that Industrial disaster would
bring defeat to the party In power. II the
people were ignorant, It would. But the peo.
pie read. They know that industries were
elected, and that mills have been closing ever
since. They know that the threat Of free trade
has been the fruitful parent OF losses and
stagnation, OF decline In prices, and of bank
ruptcy. Tho people are going to hold the
Democratic party responsible for the disasters
which Democratic agitation has caused.
me prospect SATISFIES every Republican.
The dispatches from Ohio do not indicate that
the Republicans are Indifferent, apathetic or
over.confident. They do not indicate that real
friends OF temperance are going to cast their
votes to please the liquor dealers. or that the
temperance question Is going to prevent fair
decision OF the people upon the needs OF indus
try. They do not Indicate, in short, that the
State which honored President Garfield while
he lived 10 now going 10 reward and honor the
men who followed him TO his grave with In
famous forgeries and ISLANDERS.