The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-12-15
THE RESULT.
[From Harper's Weekly.I

from hhTpeTS "eekly.l
The result of an election can be as
certained by counting the votes, but
ITS significance is not so easily appre-
hended. 1t has been acknowledged
from the opening of the late canvass
that the vote of New York would prob
ably decide the election, aud that d g
vote of New York would be determin-
ed within an area OF ten miles from the
city hall. But within that area there
is probably more trading of votes In a
complicated election like that of this
year than in any other area of the
same extent in the country, and cense-
quently, where the plurality which
carries the state is not large, it is
impossible to declare dogmatlcally the
meaning of the result. There was no
doubt that the tremendous majorities for
Lincoln in almost all the states in 1864
meant the unconditional prosecution OF
the war. Nobody doubted that. But
il would have been bold man who
asserted precisely what the election OF
Cleveland in 1884 by small majority
signified. Knowing, as we all know in
this city, the great number OF purchase
BILE and purchased votes,i would be i'm
possible to determine peremptorily the
defeat of Mr.. Cleveland by moderate
plurality as a deliberate rejection of the
policy of reducing the surplus, which
his candidacy represented. There has
been no "cyclOne,' no "land-slide."
The republican CANVASS was conducted
as if the issue were joined between
protection and free trade and republl-
can success, therefore, under that
theory is against free trade. But that
was not Mr.. Cleveland's position, and
it may be fairly said that if, as the re-
publicans insisted, the question was
free trade, the close vote and the plu-
rality i'm the crucial state do not reveal
| that popular horror, even of free trade,
which has been supposed to exist.
Mr.. Cleveland will retire from the
presidency with the honorable con-
sciousness OF having proved to bis
countrymen that, Notwithstanding the
civil war and its traditions, the govern
ment is safe in the hands of any party,
and of having done much to unite in
good faith communities which have
been long and bitterly severed in
feeling. His administration will be
acknowledged to have been singularly
honest and patriotic, free from the
great scandals which had become too
common, and worthy of the respect OF
citizens whose views are not regulated
by party. 1t will be his distinction
also that by his courage and iDdepeR-
dence he identified his party with q
national policy which in its principle
and purpose was approved by many
who were yet unwilling from old party
associations to give him their votes and
which raised the presidential canvass
to its true level of popular discussion
of principles and measures. 1t reform
in the civil service has failed TO receive
from him the support which had been
expected and its advance under bis
administration has been less than his
character and convictions seemed to
promise, those who best know the
situation are least harsh in their censure,
aud however they regret what seem to
them errors of judgment and miscalcu.
, lation both of party consequences and
public support, they have not questioned
and do not doubt his honesty of pur'
pose, hi. sincerity OF conviction, or the
I actual progress in reform which has
been accomplished under his admins
tration. 1t will be fortunate for the
: republican party and for the country il
the administration of General Harri-
I son-against whose personal character
I or that OF his associate, Mr.. Morton, MOI
word has been uttered during thu
q campaign-shall be as worthy of tn,
honest commendation of patriotic
citizens as that of his predecessor.