Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-12-18

The Chicago Times of Friday last
comes to us with between three and
four of its large pages crowded with
telegraphed expressions of opinions,
contributed by newspaper editors from
all over the country, as to the presiden-
tial probabilities in 1892. Naturally 1t
was a foregone conclusion that the YER
dict would be Grover Cleveland and
James G.. Blaine, but it is remarkable,
nevertheless, to witness the unanimity
of opinion pervading widely separated
sections, as that opinion is mirrored in
the declarations of those whose province
it is to form and reflect public senti-
ment, The returns came in from 221
different papers, representing every i'm
portant city and every state and terri
tory in the union, excepting Utah,
Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
the Indian Territory and Alaska.
A small percentage of the responses
were non-committal, the great New
York editors being especially cautious
as to their expression of preference and
and all the replies from Maine being
silent as to predictions or preferences.
Among Philadelphia editors, G. IL.
lIeustis of the Inquirer, says "as a mat
ter of course am for Blaine;" William
M. Singerly of the Record, 81 decline to
be questioned on the subject;" George
w. Childs Of the Ledger, "entitely too
early to express preferences" A, X.
Mcclure of the Times, quoted by his
managing editor, is personally for Cleve-
land. The most remarkable declaration
comes from the Toledo, Ohio, CONNER
eiai, whose editor fixes upon "NIatt
Quay" as his first choice. piscarding
the scattering votes, a summary of those
who express preferences ITALICS as fol-
lows; Cleveland, 1906; Hill, 12; Blaine,
81; Harrison, II. Editorially, the Chi
cago Times says of the result;
1t was to the editorial office as barom-
eter of popular sentiment, not as an
oracle, that the Times went and the full
answer is significant. Present sentiment
is well crystalzed Most Democrats and
all Republicans look upon Cleveland us the
inevitable Democratic leader Most Re
publicans and all Democrats give Blaine
the chieItaincy of his party. The reason
for this situation, comprehended fully by
the quick intelligence Of the country, is
irresistible. Historically the Democratic
position has been against high protective
tariff. At no time has il pronounced in
favor of free trade. Its position was stated
by the convention which nominated
'lilden. A minority Of the party held for
while to extreme protection, differing
therein not one whit from their Repub-
lican brethren. A vast treasury surplus
compelled discussion. Under the strong
clear leadership Of President Cleveland the
Democratic party passed u tariff bill which
largely increased the free list in desirable
directions and reduced the imports on all
the schedules. In thc'Presidcntial election
this policy was narrowly rejected, and MIR
Cleveland passed g private life. Two years
later, the identical question being in issue
the tariff position of Cleveland and the
Democracy Is Endorsed by Il tremendous
majority, giving Congress to the Demo
cratic party by sittings unprecedented in
number. As the triumph of tariff reform
is not complete, and can not be made 50
until the Senate and the executive office
pass to the Democracy, another great
struggle on the same lines Is necessary ii
ls'l2. The choice of "a leader is narrowed
by the circumstances. II is obvious, in
eyitable. Events make Cleveland's selec
ton imperative,
Upon the drastic lines of the McKinle,
bill the Republican party can never agat
win an election. Blaine, who was gencr
ally a high protectionist. caught the popu
lar drift, made early condemnation Of III,
, extreme tariff policy, and talked sopth
ingly Of the benefits of reciprocal FREE
{ trade between the countries Of this hemis
phere, Canada barred Drowning mct
! catch at straws The Republican part,
turns almost unanimously to blaine as
man of resource capable, if anybody cal
, be, Of saving the Republican party.