Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-11-14
How the Nsws was Received In Wash
fngton
Especial Correspondence of the Journal J


Especial Correspondence of the Journal.
WAsHIsaros. ID. c., Nov. 9, 1888.
The faces of the people on the streets on
Tuesday we're an interesting study. Anxiety
was written on every eountensnce. though
the Democrats seemed TO be a tritie more buoy
ant in spirits than their opponents. Business
was practically suspended, and the sll-ab-
sorhing topic was the fierce contest which
was being waged at the polls There was no
hilarity exhibited. Mems faces were grave.
and something in the expression reminded me
of the time when another momentous con-
fict was being waged in which the citizens of
this district was everything at stake. IL Was
the battle of Fort Stevens, 10 1864, when the
smoke from the enemys guns eouli be seen
from the city, and the booming Of rebel can
non smote the ear.
The evening papers appeared 20 indicate
drift in favor of the Democrats. and few
cheers could be heard upon the streets By
seven o'clock nearly half the city hal turned
out and stood before the different buildings
where the returns were being bulletlned.
Dispatches seemed to confirm the hopes OF
the Democrats, and by ten O'Clock their wells
might be heard all along the line. Some OF
the Republicans gave it up and returned to
their homes. But just at this point bul-
lelin vas exhibited showing that Brooklyn.
usual ajority for the Democrats had been
materially reduced. This was quickly fol-
lowed By one stating that several districts In
the interior OF New York had given
INCREASED REPUBLICAN MAJoRITIEs.
The tide had turned. Dispatch after
dispatch came in rapid succession
showing almost beyond doubt that
Harrison had carried New York State
What cheers rent the air Good, honest,
wholesome cheers, too. They were not the
shouts of men whose threats had been
burned by rum or whose brains were con-
gested by chronic alcoholism. By one
o'clock the Democratic clubs had put out
their lights and gone home in disgust, while
the Democratic newspaper, the Post, hung
out the following "Harr son is elected. Go
Home and pay our bets aud real the morn
ing Post"
The next morning at an early hour the
streets assumed changed appearance.
There was no need of asking a mans poll
tics 1t was written on his face. Haggard,
Do jected and sour, the defeated supporters of
Mr. Cleveland walked down the streets TO
their places of business. With smiling faces
and buoyant ste ps the Republicans marched
up and down as if they owned the earth
The very heavens seemed illumined with
their smiles, and men met and slapped each
other on the shoulders and grasped each Others
bands with such vigor and with such vim as
only great JOY can prompt To have seen
the old soldiers in theiy mad antics one might
have thought that Richmond had been taken
a second time, and some of the boys de-
clared it had.
Ar THE WHITE House..
and their wives had assembled to
look over the returns with Mr.,
and Mrs. Cleveland and to be on hand to con-
graduate the supposed man of destiny. They
went home after midnight 5adder, and let us
hope, wiser people.
One of the peculiar features of the great
victory is the orderly manner in which the
victors have conducted themselves. There
has been scarcely any drunkenness upon the
streets; no unseemly exultation; no reck-
less threats of vengeance on Democratic en-
ployees. Had the result been otherwise how
different would have been the scenes.
MAINE CONGRATULATED.
Maine people here are proud of the hand
some majority which the State gave for
Harrison. 1t was a surprise to them for it
was generally supposed that the majority
would be much smaller than that given at the
September election.
| hope, and believe, that in the general re-
joicing over the magnificent victory which
has just be- won, there are n ne who will
forget, now or hereafter, that master mind
which contributed so largely to the general
result; and that the Republican party will
appreciate fully not only the wonderful mag
Iinimity of Mr.. Blaine, but his untirng
efforts in the canvass which has just closed
1t can be truly said that the result of this
election is shock to every Democrat in
Washington, frcm Grover Cleveland down to
the lowest messenger boy in the departments.
That the President believed in his destiny is
beyond doubt, and that the others down to
the messenger boy had faith in what was
termed Grover. luck, is too well known.
Amid the terrible wreck which strews Il e
political shores there stands out one pathetic
figure whose sad and untimely fate will e1-
cite the sympathies of the citizens of Angus
ia One who for brief time has felt that
the responsibility for the safe conduct of the
affairs of The nation rested upon his sh' ulders.
refer to that experienced old salt, the Com
missioner of Navigation-"our Charley
Morton. Inexorable Fate, that thus sends
back to private life one who felt himself
born to rule-the earth
Lord Shrew bury, the great London cab
prnpriptor il about tn establish n hranp N