Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-10-24
HANCOCK AND CLEVELAND.

HANCOCK AND CLEVELAND.
Democrats who are trying to con-
sole themselves for the crushing Re
publican victory IN Ohio on the
ground that "the State always goes
Republican in Presidential years "
will do well to recall the influence
of the corresponding State election
four years ago.
In 1880 the Republican majority
in the October Ohio election was
about 10000. But the presidential
candidate of that year was an Ohio
man. Gen. Garfield was beloved Of
his people TO an extent almost with
out parallel. He was born and reared
in Ohio. He had commanded Ohio
1egions in the war for the Union.
lie was the great orator and States
man Of his region-the Henry Clay
Of the State. Every sentiment of
State pride, personal friendship, and
loyalty urged the Republicans of
Ohio in October, 1880, to poll their
greatest strength. Nor did they en-
counter that year the obstacles which
were thrown in their way this year.
The State and the chief cities were
in their hands. The registration
law was still in force as a protection
against frauds. There was no prac-
tical liquor issue to plague them. In
one word, the Republicans had all
the advantages on their side in 1880
which the Democrats enjoyed in the
late State campaign. Under these
conditions it must be admitted that
the Republican majority this year is
amuch greater triumph than an equa'
majority four years ago.
After the October election in l 9SC
the Democrats commended, as they
do now, that they still had a good
fgh ting chance. The battle was tc
be transferred, they said, to New
York, and they entertained grear
confidence in the personal strength
of their presidential candidate. Gen
Hancock was certainly the most a
valuable candidate they could have
lie was in every respect a strong
man. lie was a commanding figur,
in American history. He had beer
a dashing and successful soldier, ant
had led his army corps to victory
He was New Yorker by residence
and commanded the admiration anc
support Of the soldier element to
great extent. Nevertheless, Garfield
three weeks later, increased the Obi,
majority from 10000 to $4,000, ant
Hancock lost New York by 2l,Oo
votes after desperate contest.
The Democrats are in much sol
rier plight this year after the Re
publican victory in Ohio than the
Were four years ago. Instead of
Hancock as their presidential cand
date, OF whom to be proud, the
have Cleveland, Of whom they al
seemingly ashamed. Instead of
man who stood out boldly as a n;
tional character and enjoyed the II
spect Of the American people, the
have local politician whose privat
aid public character cannot stan
th' test, according to Democrat
a thority. The fiercest oppositio
to Cleveland is in his own party an
his own State. Thousands of Ne,
York Democrats are openly arraye
against him, and other thousand
are secretly knitting him. The Den
ocratic campaign has been conduc
ed on party basis and the ,cqnd
date has been ignored as far as po
sible. The Democratic public speal
sers as rule do not so much as mel
ton his name.
All Democrats who want to loo
at the situation ihtelligently, thel
should put it in this way: If til
struggle was lost in 1880 with ma
like Hancock as candidate sftC
Ohio had gone $4,000 in the Stat