Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-17
A Look Ahead.


Ohio clears the field and leaves the coun.
try free for the final choice between Blaine
and Cleveland. The election in that State
will change no votes. The Blaine mana
gers, having failed to hold their own after
the greatest efforts that they could posi-
bly, put out, have now 10 face an oppO-
siiion which they have nowhere vet met,
and TO do so with no hope OF reinforce
ments. Taey counted on stampede
in Ohio. They had an idea that
there was to be something that
they called a "tidal wave" They
imagined that there was latent in the pub.
lie mind deep sympathy with the Repub-
lican party, which its disgraccIul tactics
and more disgraCeful candidate would not
repress. They confidently expected a ma
jonty for their ticket like that winch
Brough got over Nallandigham. And all
they got, after canvass which brought
'"ey6ry man and every dollar" into the
field, was less than the ordinary normal
anti-presidential majority, such as the State
has always given without any special effort.
Even this majority was not given TO
Blaine. Usually the presidential candidate
is sure Of far heavier majority than the
state ticket gets in October. This year the
conditions are reversed. Many lndepend-
ent Republicans felt bound 10 support the
state ticket who will not wore for the
Blaine electors. Nor this alone: the
Blaine managers cannot keep up the
canvass that they have bcen making
in Ohio. There are too many crlti-
cal points exposed which must b.
covered as well rs possible. What lies be-
fore them now is not another Skirmish for
a strategic advantage. Ii is a iiie-and-deatb,
hand-tO-hand fight along the whole line
from Oregon 10 Massachusetts. For su,h
a fight they are too weak. They cannot
maintain their lines on so wide field. Up
10 this time they have been struggling to
SaUe scattered positions. Now they will
be compelled 10 Icjn. Unless they can bring
out far more strength than their desperate
tactics in Maine and Ohio sh0wed-and
they cannoi-they are lost.
What can they do in New York, in New
Jersey, In Connecticut, in Indiana? In
this State they need every vote that went
for Garfield in 1850. They will not get
within 10000 OF that number. The issue
is now open and clesr. IL is between
Blaine and Cleveland, between 4 dishonest
and an honest candidate. Blaine will lose
in three distinct direciions-the indepen-
dent Republicans, the disailected Stalwarls,
aud the 81. John temperance men. OF the
nrst alone there are enough 10 defeat him.
Twelve thousand would do 1t, and there
are that number below the line OF West
chester county. With only 800 votes 10
county in the remaining counties, there
would be some $1,000 more, and 800 is a
very low average. Erie, Oneida, Chatau-
ana alone would furnish more than four
times that average.
Now that the lines are drawn and the
voters are TO decide on the naked question
OF the fitness Of Cleveland and the unfit
ness OF Blaine, discussion will 60 on with
greater energy and directness, and discus
sion & the ore thing that Blaine cannot
stand. The Independent and the Demo
cratic organizations are both strong aud will
be steadily perfected. twill be seen 10 that
novoter misses the chance TO know the facts.
Thee will De very little blind voting in New
York. or Connecticut, or New Jersey. or
MASSACHUSETTS. Not day, not an hour. will
be ,0st. The stake is the honor OF the
country, menaced by the nomination OF 4
disbonored aud dishonorable man. II
every one who can understand the issue
and who sees his duty plainly will give TO
the canvass the attention It's momentous
character requires the result Is not doubt
full. For ourselves there is no question
that the American people will be true 10
themselves, and that they will not place IN
the chair OF Washington and Madison, OF
the Adamsos and Lincoln, seli-conVlc'en
jobber and liar.