The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-11-17
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The Reason.

AS time passes and we are able
to see more clearly, the result of
the late election, and can give bet
ter reason for Democratic defeat.
In a careful view of the whole
field certain things are apparent
upon the face OF the returns.
Among them is the great truth
that it was not the Democratic
position upon the tariff, for while
in the country districts the Democ-
racy held her own, the party made
large gains in the manufacturing
centers, Notwithstanding the false
cry of Free Trade so presistantly
voiced by every Republican stump
er and newspaper in the land. On
this question the Democratic posi-
| ton was the true one, and it was
endorsed by the honest intelligence
of the country. The Fisheries
question, the retalitory policy, and
the Murchison Sackville cores
pondence do not appear to have
had the weight of a feather, in de-
termining the result.
There was but one other political
factor entered into the campaign,
that is civil service reform. Were
we to attempt to define this term
of which we have heard so much
from Republican sources in the last
three years, we would pronounce
it sort of impractical vague SEN
timentality not founded either on
good sense or good politics. The
doctrine, that the results of a politi-
tical victory are not to be enjoyed
by the victors is an anomaly in our
politics, and as impractical as the
disordered phantams of a dream.
The administration which sur
rounds itself with political en-
emies, to the exclusion of trusted
friends merits and will receive de-
feat.
Herein is the cause of Mr.. Cleve-
lands late disaster, for it was his
defeat rather than the defeat of
the Democratic party.
He began his administration by
an attempt to Mugwump his party
and the first act in the comedy of
errors was the retention Of Pearson
as p. NJ. New in York City, against
the protest of every respectable
and true Democrat in that great
city. What was begun in New
York was continued throughout
the States, until honest and
worthy Democrats everywhere be-
came lukewarm in his party
fealty and faltered in his allegiance
to his ticket.
So far did the President carry
his insane idea that he refused
audience to honest members of the
party, by whose work and votes
he was elevated to power when
they presented themselves to ask
II place for some worthy con-
stituent, and they were politely |
but firmly told that their impor-
tunities were useless and their de-
sires vain. Two short years ago |
Mr. Cleveland could not have been |
nominated for second term and
would have been recognized as an
unavailable candidate.
When the last annual message
was written the President assumed
a position which had been, for
sometime. occupied by the think
ing masses of his party, and that
act rendered his denomination pos
sible. The strong showing made
by the Democratic party ut the re-
cent election is due to their posi-
tion on the tariff, and shows Dem
ocratic devotion to principle rather
than the popularity of their candi-
date.
But greater than all other caus-
escombined, was the extraordinary
and corrupt use of money not only
in thu States OF New York and
Indiana, butin very close Congress-
ional district Of the country, But