Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-02
The Prospect.

mud election-day; and. turning our
thoughts to election.day. we naturally be-
KIN 10 calculate the chances Of the Demo-
cratic nominee 70 be elected President OF
the United States. In fact "the day Is far
spent" and for one or the other OF the two
great contending parties 1.-the night Is
coming on" with seemingly increasing
rapidity. One week from TODAY will oc-
cur the State elections in Name; SIX weeks
from to-day the State elections in Ohio and
West Virgins. and nine weeks from to-day
the presidential election.
VIII CLEVELAND be elected? DO the
Signs OF the times indicate the success OF
the great principles which underlie the
Democratic partyi Are the Democrats
confident. jealous, aggressive. and ener-
gctics Are the Republicans alarmedf We
think that all OF these questions may be am
swered in the affirmative, the qualification
being made that In nine weeks time great
many unexpected things may occur to
change the appearance OF the scene now so
temptipgly spread out before us. Let us
touch first upon the State elections.
Maine viii OF course vote the Republican
ticket. We know of no reason to doubt
that the Republicans will get their usual
majority. But Mr.. BLAINE lives in Maine,
and on Monday next II he votes at all he
VIII have 10 vote either for or against pro-
hibiiory liquor law in the shape OF an
amendment to the State Constitution; and
whether be votes on the one side or the
other his vote will tell against him in Ohio
either amongst the Germans or amongst
the hundreds OF Thousands Of men who last
year cast Their votes in favor OF aprohibitory
liquor law. II be declines TO vote either
sflirmatiyoly or negatively, he will never
theless offend the Ohio advocates Of pro-
bibitory liquor law. though he may. and
we suppose will, please rather than offend
the German element IN the Buckeye State.
The Germans belonging TO the Republican
rarity could hardly expect Mr.. BLAINE to
vote against the liquor law. They know
bis history and the history of prohl
bitiol in Maine too well 10 expect
Of him more than q declinatlon TO vote
for. the new prohibitory amendment.
That amendment will be carried by large
majority-so large tbas IL will prove be-
You'd q doubt that In Maine the Republic
can party Is TO all intents and purposes
Prohibition party. OF this party Mr..
BLAINE Is the acknowledged head. These
facts will speak for themselves after Mon
day next, and cannot but have their inhu-
once upon the result OF the presidential
election.
West Virginia we set down as being GER
tain TO vote the Democratic ticket in both
October and NOyember-as certain as
Maine Is TO vote the Republican ticket.
We need not waste words arguing as TO
result which. whatever other persons may
think, we do not consider in any doubt.
We drop Maine and West Virginia, there
fore, and proceed to ask whether there is
any reason to hope that Ohio will
vote the Democratic ticket in Octo-
Der? We must not forget, however,
10 say once mole that though a Republican
defeat in Ohio in October will show the
Republican party to be in drticuiO mortiS,
Democratic defeat at that election would
indicate little or nothing as TO the probable
result In the Union in November. How
ever, let US guard our forecast. We must
admit that a very large Republican ma
iority in Ohio in October would east
such damper over the Democratic party OF
h.
State election there, might be the loss OF
New York and the defeat Of CLEVELAND.
AT the same time let Us add that whatever
Ohio may do the Stalwarts in New York
are not LILLY TO come up unanimously to the
support Of BLAINE.
What Is the prospect In OHIO? win the
Democrats carry that State in October.
Like the papers all over the land. the Dis
patch has devoted good deal OF space and
speculation to this question. We have had
no exclusive information. Out have CLEANED
our views principally from Republican
sources and land before our readers the
reasons which had led us to the conclusions
reached. thus enabling them to form AN in
telligent opinion Of their own on the sub.
ject.
We ask the reader 10 recall Just here the
expressions OF hope which we have here
tofore INDUCED In relative TO the possible
results OF the October elections in Ohio,
and then read the following comment from
the leading Republican paperia that State.
We quote from the Cincinnati Commercials
Gazette;
1.-THE Dcmoc. outside Of Ohio are
reckoning n good deal on carrying the State
In October. A 'Southside Democrat in
Virginia urges the National Committee TO
put money, and plenty OF 1t, Into the cam
paigp. Ten dollars, lac SAYS. spent In ear
rying Ohio and West Virginia in October
would be worth more than Si00 afterwards.
lie appeals 10 Mr.. Baruum, therefore. 10
buy mules.
"The Richmond Dispatch deyotes much
space 10 the same subject, and. In fact, the
Democratic rcsS all over the country is
alive 10 the importance OF an heroic effort
to carry the October States.
"Republicans must not permit them
selves 10 think they are TO have a walk.
over, aud that Ohio i sure thing ANYHOW.
II j. sure II they work for II with the
zeal that the Democrats put into the can
yass. II is sure II they organize thorough
~, appoint ialying snd challenging CON.
mittees Of men who Will do their DUTY. 1t
l. sure II they canvass their precincts. find
out who the voters are, how they will vote,
and how they may be influenced by argu-
meni and appeal 10 vote. II Is sure IL they
do not tTtist everything TO committees, but
each one takes bold and works himself, as
though the result depended on his indi-
vidual labors. But IL Is not sure unless
tins Is done. Wake up. therefore, Repub-
iIcans. for the battle In November may be
determined by the skirmish in October"
Look at the offs" On these, however.
We do not lay much stress. They are per-
haps intended only TO scare Republicans
and make them contribute money and work
10 the cause. But the closing sentence is
full OF encouragement 10 the Democrats.
"The battle In November may be deter
mined by the skirmish In October" For
Republican 10 beiittIe the October cleo
ton by speaking Of 10 - Q mere "sklr-
iDIsh " issurely 10 confess that the prospects
OF Democratic success IN the election are
uneommonIy good. An election which 4, |
q almost universally conceded will put an
end 10 the Republican party II 1t terminates
In the defeat Of that party Is attempted
TO be dwafed beforehand by chatscteriz-
ina IL a. "sbirmish." Skirmish."