Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-04
The Presidential Campaign Of 1854.

The campaign now ended Will ever be memoirs
bic for the issues on which it turned the popular
interest aroused. the complications and reyolts Of
the contest: and the doubt which enveloped the re-
sui. TIL the very close. Even before the nominat-
Ing conventions were held there were symptoms Of
trouble but the fvoric won IN both IN spite OF the
Efforts OF angry minorities and the choice In each
case was ratified by the most boiSterOus Demon
STATIONS OF approval Then came season OF dull
ness. While both parties prepared for the struggle
In the fall varied only by the '.sde-show- conven-
tiOnS and now and then drive at the candidates
as they rested in dignifed retirement. one at Mount
Desert and the other In the Adirondack wilder
hess
As election day iE Maine approached, however
the dght grew eager. Mr. Blaine took personal
command, and his staff OF republican leaders
caught his own active spirit and made short,
Lot fight for the standard, and won It. Then, after
another lu, the strife was transferred TO the wes
and from that time on 10 the end there was no let
up oy either party. Both candidates were subjec-
ted 10 hail OF personal abuse involving charges
OF the most startling aud defamatory character
The democrats especially conducted their canvass
on the simple grouni that the republican party IN
general and its candidate in particular were not
honest, and therefore, not worthy OF holding office
FROM nrSt 10 last scarcely word has been heard
On that Side on What are commonly understood to
form the staple OK campaign controversies. The
held closer 20 traditional lines in this respect en-
phasizihg, so far as possible Of the fundamen-
tai principles of their party, the value OF the pro-
tectivc policy 10 the American Iaborer. They have
however not hes1tated TO avail themselves or what
ever profit might be gained by the exposure OF
naws In Gov. Cle-eIand'S private character
one OF the most striking features OF the cam
palgn has been the di5arrangerlent OF party lines
The south. &c b. sure, has remained solid, or, as
MI Evarts described 1t. an Inert, sullen mass
but al through the north there has been q confu-
sion next TO chaos There have been notable con-
versions on both sides and with the fierce zeal that
proTerbially marks the apoState these converts or
peryertS, have been the most busy and bitter OF all
men The most Jealous supporters OF Cleveland
have been republicans, and Blaine has found some
OF bis most efficient helpers within the ranks OF the
democracy. This confusion has been greatly
helped by the presence in the field of two side can
dldateS, hopeless OF success except as they might
affect the chances OF the two regular nominees.
Whatever Ianguor characterized the opening of
the campaign, no one could complain OF a lack OF
excitement At the close. That veracious and ven
eraoie person. 'the oldest ihhabitant" never saw
anything like the contest OF 1884
And now what IS to be the outcones Nobory
knows, nobody can make even an intelligent
guess The New York newspapers, now at the
edge OF the precipice, are curious reading The
World assures its readers that the state Is certain
Tor Cleveland by sixty thousand majority and that
II is nonsense 10 call Indiana even doubtful: in
other words, that Cleveland Is as good as elected
On the other hand the Tribune declares that
Blaine Will carry every northern state And the
trouble is that there is no middle ground. Both
sCeS seem equally certain OF success aad OF win
mig By udai-waye majority