The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-17


nothing could be expected from the Democratic
party in the future, but rather the Germans were
being used as tools to defeat party that had al
ways protected their interests. AS the Scott
law became tested they began to see that it was
sound in It's operation and really not a measure
that would work to their disadvantage Gradu
ally it began to dawn upon them that 1t was the
law they wanted, and protected rather than dis
tressed. This feeling has gained in the last
year to such an extent that it is fair to be-
lieve that not one German out of twenty thinks
the law is unjust
Another factor that has had much to do with
the matter is this The Democrats have taken
great pains to associate the entire German popu-
laJion with the subject of lager beer and saloons.
1t is matter of fact tnat the per cent of saloon
keepers among the Germans is very small.
There are not over l, 500 German saloon-keepers
in Hamilton county while the German popuia
ton amounts to $4,000 The Germans resent
this SANDER against their fair name, and object
to be regarded as willing to abandon all State
issues to the exclusion of the single
question of the lager beer interest They have
shown by their votes that they are of different
mind, and have risen superior to the one issue
with which the Democrats have chosen to con-
meet them. All these points have had their bear
ing, and the effect is apparent The return Of
nearly the solid German vote to the Republican
party has significance that cannot escape the
most careless observer. 1t means return of
Republican strength in Ohio that will give the
State to Blaine by majority of 1000 or 49, 0O0
1t means the complete detachment of the last
Democratic support and the loss of a State power
to party whose sway at best was only tempo
rary. 1t has impaired courage to Republicans
throughout the United States the good effects Of
which cannot be overestimated. 1t means that
it has thrown new vigor into the Republican
leaders and given an impetus to the working of
Republican organizations from the national com
mittee down to the smallest county Blaine and
Logan club 1t means that the cry will be re-
echoed across the continent "The Germans are
nc md hat f1Aao hn h
Republican majority Unprecedented in the an
nails Of American politics. The Germans of Ohio
have redeemed themselves Their action here in
Hamilton county is but counterpart of what it
is throughout the State.
The other foreign element which operates in
Ohio is the Irish. At the start enthusiastic Re
publlcans who were not familiar with the issues
of the State placed too much dependence upon
1t, while it is difficult at this time to determine
out of the mass of incomplete returns Just what
proportion was obtained from the Irish ranks
1t is evident that the gain was not large. The
gains that have been made are not general.
They have occurred in unlooked-for localities
and have been impulsive. For instance, an Irish
Democratic club in this city numbering 500
members suddenly changed to the Republican
ticket. But this was not general. Other Irish
clubs in the city did not change 1t is probable
that throughout the State the Democratic
Irish detection will not amount to more than
5000, although this estimate is not based upon
any known results. 1t is evident that what
gains have been made are due in great meas
ure to the unceasing efforts of Messrs. Finerty
and Sullivan of Chicago. Both gentlemen are
powerful speakers, and carry line of argu-
ment with them that cannot be controverted.
But the Irish of Ohio as a rule are
Democrats, and it is hard to tear
them away from their original party Blaine
will receive a much larger percentage of the
Iriah vote than did the Republican ticket IN this
State. This is due to the fact that the Irish are
ardent admirers of Blaine and have a desire to
go with the winning side. And it is not the
Irish alone that will be led to vote the Republic
an ticket in November for the reason last named.
great portion of Blaine's increased majority in
Ohio will be from this class of voters While it
is undoubtedly true that the Irish Democratic
detection in Ohio at the State election was com
paratively small to what it is in other States, it
is evident that this same outside influence will
have its bearing here in November 1t would
not be at all surprising if the Ohio Irish would
contribute 10 900 votes to the Republican ma
tional election. 1t has been pretty generally ad-
initted that the Irish are for Blaine, and this
will have its effect on Ohio next month. The
Prohibition vote has cut little or no figure, and
no attention paid to it in making estimates. 1t
cannot reach more than 5000 or 5000 in the
State, and is probably drawn about equally from
both parties