Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-06
FIRMLY UNITED.
The. Attitude Of Republicans in
the Empire State.
Strong Reasons for Their Confidence in
Winning The Next Fight,
Among Which are Tariff Issues, Unity
and Superb Organization.


Do you know, writes the Boston Herald's
New York correspondent, that every
one betting on the result of the pres
idential election in New York has
swung around from two 10 one
against Harrison to six to five in his favor?
1t was question that your correspondent
asked himself, and he paid visit 10 repub-
lican headquarters for light on the situation.
IL is always safe to Discount everything the
enthusiastic politicians tell. Still, making
all due allowance for the hopes and desires
of the men interested in having New York
cast her electoral vote for Harrison and
Morton, one can yet see good reasons why
the republicans may count on the swinging
of the pendulum in the Empire State to their
side. What are some of the reasons for
republican confidence? Well, in the first
place, the party in New York is united as it
never has been since 1860, when the vote of
the State was cast for Abraham Lincoln.
The republicans carried the State for Gar
field in 1850 by over 90, 900 plurality, when
they were not nearly SO well united as they
are today. In spite of the fact that Conk
ling came to the support of the ticket late in
the campaign of chat year, there was still the
old trouble brewing between the stalwarts
and half-breeds, and many republican vote
was lost TO Garfield in consequence. This
year the old factional differences are entirely
Obliterated. The leaders of 1880, most of
them, are dead. Harrisons candidacy is ae-
ceptable 10 stalwarts and half-breeds alike.
His name excites no unpleasant memories,
and his nomination does not stand for the
triumph of one faction over another. He
got New York's solid y votes in the conven-
ton and every atom of republican strength
will be exerted for his election.
The republicans at headquarters base their
claims of carrying the State most confden
tally, however, on the superb organization
of the party this year. The old system of
party autocracy-the dictatorship of Weed
or Fenton or Conkling-is dead. In its
place we have broader, wiser and far
stronger system that is thoroughly represent
ative and republican. Everyb body who went
great fight for leadership between Thomas
C. Platt and Warner Willer.
Everybody Was Mistaken.
There was no fight, no rivalry, and both
Plat and Miller returned stronger as leaders
than when they started out. They had united
on candidates for President and Vice Presi-
dent, evenly divided the honors of leader
ship and stood shoulder to shoulder to fight
the great battle of the campaign. 1t is not
necessary here to tell at length how all this
was brought about nor should all the honors
of leadership go to these two men.
In the campaign of 1872 there were four
great newspapers in New York, Cincinnati,
Louisville and Chicago respectively, which
formed the solid bottom of the Greely move
ment, and was nick-named by somebod,
1.-The Quadrilateral." The republicans in
New York have quadrilateral leadership
this year which gives them an almost i'm
pregnable position. The four corners are
towers of strength, and the names of Platt,
Miller, Depew and Hiscock-four as re-
markable men as ever got together at the
head of any State organization. The re-
porters of the Chicago convention, as they
saw these political giants marching into the
big auditorium day after day, got in the habit
of speaking of them as the Big Four. Each
of the Big Four had his own private ambi-
ton, or, at least, this was true of three
of them, but each was willing to con-
cede something to the others, and all saw
alike the folly of a strife. There was din
ner party one night given by Mr.. Depew,
which brought about that perfect union
that promises to carry the party to victory in
November. Depew wanted the compliment
of a vote for President; Platt wanted his old
friend Morton for Vice President, and Miller
wanted to be governor of New York. There
was no good reason why all these results
should not be brought about, and under Mr..
Depew's clever diplomacy one of the most
alliances in our political history
was effected.
1t is this powerful combination of
Strong. Able and Brilliant
men that inspires every New York republi-
can with hope and gives every thoughtful
democratic leader grave concern. Repub-
licans in other States need take
no stock in the reports that New York
is hopelessly Democratic and given up by the
The mightiest battle of the
will rage between Montauk point
and Lake Erie. Make no mistake about that
Warner Miller will be the standard bearer
for Governor by the unanimous call of the
party, and the farmers in every school dis
trict, with whom he is wonderfully popular,
will rally to his support. Mr.. Blaine will
speak in all the manufacturing centers, where
the labor vote is already deserting the Demo-
Gratis, and every speech will tell in an in
creased Republican majority. Mr.. Depew
will work as he has never worked before,
over the state. Thomas c. Plat. whose
work for Garfield in New York city in 1880
saved the state to the Republicans. will again
be in charge of the canvass in this city. He
confidently expects tnat Cleveland will get 20,
900 less majority in New York city and
Brooklyn than in 1881 The friends of Ar
thur in these cities who would not work for
Blaine with any heart are all in line for Har-
The Rutlpr % which yroplI ha,-a
gone to Blaine and elected him four years
ago, had Butler withdrawn, is certain to go
for Harrison. Buffers followers were all
protectionists, and this year there is every
evidence that they are more firmly set against
Cleveland than ever.
Such in brief is the situation in New York
to-day, and it certainly seems to afford suffi-
cient ground for the confidence that prevails
among the cool and cautious leaders at head
quarters who are managing the campaign.
The number of letters from Democrats who
voted for Cleveland in 1884, and who will
vote for Harrison this year, that have been
received at Republican headquarters, is
simply astonishing. Some of these men
may drift back under high party pressure in
the campaign, but their letters show how in
tense is the feeling that prevails in the man
ufacturing towns against the Democratic
tariff policy. With conceded majority for
Harrison in the state outside of the two big
cities, larger by 0.00O to reduction of Cleve-
lands majority in New York city and Brook
lyn, Of which there is every probability. to
the extent of at least 10 900 Republican
majority in the state of 10000 is claim for
which there is a solid foundation