West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-09-12
The Political SITUATION.


carry. West Virginia. The proba6iH-
ties are, however. that they will make
little or no effort TO carry that State.
lhelr consultations in that neiChbor-
mood are merely fcints intended TO
oring uueasineSS TO the minds of the
Democratic leaders and To draw their
attention away from Ohio, where Steve
ElkinS and his gang propose TO mako q
desperate struggle for victory in the
October elections This is matter that
Is OF exciting interest TO Democrats. and
yet 1T Is not of vital importance. There
Is little doubt that we shall ne able to
carry West Virginia by a large ma 'ority
n usual, and if we do not carry Ohio
there is nothing lost.
1t must be borne in mind that Ohio
IS not pivotal State SO far as the Dem
Pcratic party is concerned. In other
words, Democratic victory i'm Ohio is
not essential 10 Democratic victory in
other States. We hope and expect to
garry Ohio, but il we do not there will
he no occasion for gloom. Ohio il a
Republican State in Presidential wears.
pr has been heretofore, and if il should
prove TO be Democratic in October the
people would undoubtedly accept il as
an omen OF certain victory But if the
Republicans should carry the State i'm
October the fact would have no signili-
@ancc so FAR as Democratic success is
Concerned.
1t IS this situation this prospect
dhat gives the Democratic party n doci.
ded advantage in tho contest Defeat
IN Ohio will be fatal TO the Republic
ans, and this fact will norve tho Demo
frats in that State To put forth their
best efforts. On the other hand Demo.
cratic defeat in Ohio i'm October would
Dear no material rotation to the Prc,i-
dental canvass With these facts star
ing them in the face, il is not likely
that the Republican corruptionists who
nave charge of the Blaine campai0n
mlll waste any effort TO carry West
virginia while their Ohio STRONGHOLD
rs I'm danger; and that it il i'm DANGER
we nave the best reasons for believing.
There arc also other States that threat
en to 20 Demo ratio, though they have
been IN the Republican column for sew
eral years. The truth is. il is impossi-
bic TO estimate the defcctions from the
,kepublican ticket, since il is made IN
OF two elements dametricallv opposed
10 each othcr--thc German element
which has rcvolted from the Republican
tendency 20 prohibition, and the Prohi-
bitlonists, who declare that Republi.an
whisky is rs bad a5 Democratic whisky.
That tho detection OF these two elements
IS very serious is not denied bv the
blaine organs, but they claim that il is
offset by gains among Irish Democrats
hnd working men. We think however,
that this claim will prove TO bc prcpos-
ferrous.
The situation in New York is some
what peculiar if we may thus describe
lhc elect Of the scandalOus attack
made by the Republican political
preachers and organs on the private
characters of the Democratic candidate.
The Democratic newspapers, we are
glad To soc, have left Governor
Cleveland's defense wholly with the In
dependent Republicans who have es-
pOused the Democratic cause. We
need not say that the defense has been
complete. a committee of IndcpeDd-
ent Republicans have investigated the
charges and the result is entirely satis-
factory In addition to tLis, the New
York Ercning Post has printed an cdi-
torial reply to Governor Clcveland's
deiamers which will undoubtedly have
The effect OF silencing those who have
been engaged in an attempt TO drag
the good name OF an honest man i'm the
lnire. The slanders circulated bv the
Blaine organs will react. and
this reaction will make its influ-
ence felt towards the close of the cam
paign, when the honest voters OF
the country begin seriously TO com
pare the public records of the men
between whom the people must choose
There is no doubt Of the COURAGE and
integrity Of the Democratic candidate.
His public record is rs open as the dav.
lie has made notable fight against
corruption and malleasancc in Office not
only in the municipality of Buffalo, but
I'm the great State Of New York, where
affairs arc as complicated and cor
ruption as decp-rooted as they arc i'm
Washington.
The opposition 10 Mr. Cleveland i'm
New York State will not De serious.
and, such rs it is, il will be- more than
overbalanced by the support OF men
who are anxious to inaugurate an era Of
reform in the administration Of the
affairs of the General Government
John Kelly is somewhat obstinate. but
a prominent member Of Tammanv has
stated that Kelly aud Tammanv will
support the Democratic candidates with
| enthusiasm the moment they are assured
that their claims will be- respected. In
any event, there Is no reason 90 doubt
that the Democrats will achieve n
notable victory i'm the Democratic State
of New York =t tNuUfu (Ou qljIyIfo,s