New-York tribune., 1884-11-02
THE N1TJOVS CHOICE.

The great contest of 1884 is nearly over.
But no citizen will feel that his duty is done
until full and free vote has been cast and an
honest count has been secured. Every man has
within his personal acquaintance some waver-
ing voter. Words of kindly reasoning, even at
the last moment, may prevent vote which an
honest voter would hereafter regret.
This is an election of no ordinary importance
Behind us are twenty four years of Republican,
ism. the grapdest period in the history of our
country. Before Ms is cithera period of reaction,
or new and prolonged period of progress dl-
rrctrd by Republican ideas. lfthe Nation decides
for cleveland and Democratic reaction, years
will hr spent m unlUing much that has been
dnnr Southern men and Southern ideas will take
pnn,tol or the Governments Diversified industry
will no lonar, br Tavuird the elevation uI Labor
will no lnnapi tr Tho controlling olilrti ~ shar-
ing tariffs, the National banking stsltm " III SCION
give place ~ state banks, thp coloird people ~
the south will he deprived hy legal devices, 80
they ale now hy violence, of lhoir plopolion-
ate share ia tho 'lovernmeni education viii he
turned over to the exclusive care ot the states,
and honors to those who suppressed rebellion
will cease In short, in all directions the III
huence of the United States Government will
be exertcd To honor the men who sought to
destroy that Government, and to advance their
ideas.
On the other hand, decisive Republican vic
tory would have far reaching results. 1t would
complete the separation, which has already be-
gun. between the Democratic party and the
new South, and between the Democratic party
and the intelligent working people of the
North. 1t may be presumed that the admins
t1ation of Mr.. Blaine will bring new questions
to the frOnt-guestiOns upon which there Will
not be a sectional division. Relations with
other American countries, commercial rela-
tions with Cuba, Mexico, Central and South
America. and the protection of American citi-
zens and American commerce in Euroic, will
command public attention. A large pro-
portion of those who now oppose his
election Will be found enthusiastically
supporting his administration, because OF its
wisdom and its ability III dealing with new
ouestjons Democrats will see that a Solid
South is no longer possible and that no party
can afford to make wal upon the American sys-
TEN of protection for home industry. Thus
parties will inevitably arrange themselves on
new lines, and the old issues upon which the
Democracy has so long disturbed the country
will pass away forever.
Thus we are at the parting of the ways. One
path leads backward over the ground already
Redeemed by the blood of manv battles. The
other leads onward and upward, to a greater
National prosperity, higher and more vigor-
GUS National life, a more hearty and genuine
unity, more complete oblteration of the scars
left by the civil war, than has yet been attained.
The party that can thus put an end TO the sec
tional division between North and South by en-
listing part of the South in the support of a
broad and progressive National policy has be-
fore it many years of power and of public con-
iidencc if it uses its opportunities wisely and
Justly.
At this parting of the ways the Nation seemed
to hesitate a month ago. 1t hesitates no longer.
The vote in Ohio, the magnificent uprising or
business men aud conservative interests here,