Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-04-13
WHY II HAPPENED.

The recent municipal elections in this
state present few aspects which deserve
special consideration on the part of
Democrats at this time. 1t is not good
politics to ignore the truth because it is
unpleasant nor to refuse to accept facts
because they are uncomfortable. Put
ting aside tho result in Cleveland is
something that requires special treat
ment, attention may'profitably be direct.
ed to the fact that in Columbus the
Democrats were overwhelmingly defeat.
cd and in Cincinnati the Democratic
party was practically wiped out. In the
latter city the party organization has
been wreck for two or three years,
but this time it was simply smashed in
to splinters. 1t might be profitable for
Democrats, if they expect to make any
sort of fight for their state ticket this
year or if they entertain any thought of
carrying the state for Cleveland next
fall, TO inquire into the cause of this
and take such action us may be neces-
sary.
The cause Is not hard to find 1t is
on the surface. The Democrats of GIN
cinnati and Columbus were beaten be
cause it was the deliberate judgement
of good citIzens, without regard to
party, and they ought to be beaten /;
that they deserved defeat; that having
forfeited all right to public confidence
public interests required that they
should be beaten. and they were beaten
accordingly and beaten badly. In a
sense they defe,ted themselves, because
the party candidates failed to receive
the party vote that they would have re-
ceivcd If the party in these cities had
possessed the confidence and respect of
the people.
IL ought to be apparent by this time
to politicians of al parties that party
discipline is not what it used to be and
that the mere beating of the party drum
will not rally the voters in solid array
to support any kind of ticket or to in
dorse amy kind of policy The indie
pendent voter is bigger than he used to
be and he is in both parties more num-
erously than he ever was before. Neith-
er political party can succeed IN OHIO
or in any part of Ohio when it does not
deserve to succeed. No party can es-
cape defeat when it does that for which
1t ought to be defeated. The only way
TO success Is to deserve it and the sooner
the Democratic party finds that out the
better for it.
Now, in Cincinnati and in Columbus
the party misfortuncs may he traced
right back to the time when the party
organization was put into the hands Of
men who made use OF il for personal
ends and for improper purposes. The
whole thing goes right back to the at
tempt of these men to perpetrate fraud
IN me interest of n personal ambition
lilat had popular sentiment to back il
up. whoever may be the guilty parties
IN the Columbus tally sheet forgery
there Is no question whatever that the
dirty business was engineered from
Cincinnati aud that the frauds in both
cities had common motive back Of
them. The Democratic organization
IN Cincinnati fell into the hands. of men
utterly devoid of principle, and nomin-
atlons were made that could command
the support of no decent man. In Col.
umbus the party was dragged to the
support Of men accused of crime and
committed to an Endorsement os an act
abhorrent to all men who have any re.
spect for good government. The col.
lapse OF the party under such load and
with such management WAS imeyita.
BILE. More than that, it was right
Still more than that, il was the best
thing that could have happened for the
party itself. There was no Republican
victory, but The Democrats themselves
struck down their own organization to
save the party from the elements that
were driving it TO destruction, and they
did right,
That ought to be recognised now.
The baleful influence cmanating from
the corrupt politics of Cincinnati has
followed the party long enough. Let
there be an end of it. Since the party
organization in that city aud in Column
bus has fallen into chaos, let the better
element OF The party in these ci,ics see
That II is reconstructed of new material
and upon Il surer foundation. If they
cannot or will not do this, let the DEM
ocrats of the state outside these cities
see that IL is attended 10.