Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-03
TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 3, 1891.
The Battle is Joined.

Such forecasts interest everybody III
though everybody knows that they are not
20 be relied upon. II there is anything
uncertain In this uncertain world IL is the
verdict Of the people at elections to be
held under such circumstances as now ex-
list in this country. There is absolutely
no telling what the people intend to do.
We need not warn the reader. therefore,
chat the predictions in yesterdays DIS
PATCH nav turn out 20 be different from
the results which will be gIvon by us to-
morrow. We have known predictions
from the shrewdest politicians in the land
20 fall far short of the reality. and over
whelming victories for the Democratic
party 10 follow the forecasts telling US Of
close elections. Nevertheless, we cannot
1oreeo the editors privilege of saying the
last word.
In Virginia very peculiar condition OF
things exists. The Alliance men seem to
have been less aggressive in this State
than in most of the other States where
their organization IL strong. As a rule
they have not seemed TO desire 10 do more
than remind the voters Of tho measures
adopt in the interest of the rural districts.
We expect therefore, to elect Demo-
cratic Legislature in Virginia. How large
the Democratic majority on JOINT ballot
will be we will not undertake 10 say. As
to Senator DANIEL. we cannot believe that
the opposition TO him will be large He
will probably 10 reelected without Sc
nous contest.
Pennsylvania il State which we never
feel as if we could reasonably claim. She
is generally so overwhelmingly and foolish
ly IN favor of what she considers pro-
lection that no arguments con make any
impression upon her voters. The fact that
pArTIsos was elected at the last guborna-
torial election IA to be reckOned as reason
why he may not succeed so well this year.
II is hardly 10 be expected that such
State will twice in succession drift from its
Republican moorinss. Nevertheless. this
is only notion of our own If the shrewd
Democratic politicians of the Keystone
State have made up their minds that they
ore going to re-elect PATTIsos. and sent out
word through ali the Union that Pennsyl-
yania is going to DO so. and thus make pos
sible his nomination for President OF the
United States. then rest assured that the
PENNSYLVANIA Republicans are not gong to
have "a walk-ov to-day. There Will
be music in the air there.
To Massachusetts might be applied the
same remarks that we have made in regard
10 Pennsylvania 20 far as concerns two
successjye Democratic victories in a Re-
publican State. But III Massachusetts
the largest city is Democratic and will run
I'D O rousing majority for the Democratic
candidate for Governor. The Democrats
can bring out their strength in Boston.
In Pennsylvania the largest city Is Repub-
lean and will run up large majority for
the Republican nominee. The conditions
prevailing in the two States are totally I'M
like. and the two are not likely to hunt
in couples
Iowa is a third Republican State which
the Democrats carried at the last election,
and whose Republicans will he sure. there
fore. TO make desperate efforts to carry 1t
to-day. In Iowa the conditions are unlike
those prevailing in either Pennsylvania or
Massachusetts. The prohibition question
il still live one there. Governor BoIEs
hopes for reelection, and his friends de-
clare that no does not hope against hope.
The rule We have laid down-namely, that
two Democratic victories in succession
ore hardly to be expected in q Republican
State-may possibly not operate in "A State
whose people are distracted by questions
outside of the creed Of either of tho two
great parties.
But our rule does not apply in Ohio--a
State which gangs her own gait on all oc
casions and at all elections. Ohio ls claimed
and set down generally rs Republican
State, but she nevertheless votes as she
pleases. Sac has a way of doing exactly
what she is not expected to do. She
elected CAMPBELL az the last gubernatorial
election, but she is not to be set down as
likely TO elect MCKINLEY for that reason.
She il lust as likely to take notion TO re-
elect CAMPBELL as not. IL she turns her
back upon hun the best presidential tim
Der in the country will be destroyed. We
put our trust in the Alliance men, the
third party men. and the silver question.
II CAMPBEfa. had only followed the ex-
ample of young THURMAN and the adj
Sice Of such Senators as VOORHEES, and
DANIEL he would have carried Ohio to-day
by sweeping majority.
Finally, so far as our list is concerned,
comes the Empire State. We set her
down as Democratic. FLOWER must be
elected. The Democrats cannot afford TO
lose New York and we do not expect them
Al 4 ~.
,Axp's friends will be charged with having
knitted Mr.. FLOWER. The charge may be
totally unfounded. but it will be certain to
be repeated by ten thousand voices and in
ten thousand different tones There are
Democrats who actually believe that HILL
killed CLEVELAND In 1883. IL FLOWER
Ia defeated, CIrvrLAsD will have 10
shoulder the responsibility Of that defeat.
lie may be as innocent Of FLowERs
defeat as HILL was Of CLEvELASp's in 1883,
but that fact viii never stop the mouths
OF Hu4L's unwise friends any more than a
similar fact IN HuLs case has stopped the
mouths Of. CLIyELaNp's friends. We re-
peat, therefore. that for every reason the
Democrats must elect FLowKa Governor
Of New York to-day. Without the vote OF
New York Democratic President may
possibly be elected. We do not say
"probably." Observe We do not say that
the Democrats cannot elect a President
without the aid of HUI or CLEVELAND. but
tina. they will possibly fail to do so with
out the vote Of New York. 1t is possible
that western candidate would run better
tn New York than would HILL OF Give
LAND.
We would rather carry the legislatures
than the Governoks in some Of the States
We have named.
The South has peculiar interest In the
question whether presidential electors
ehall be chosen on general ticket or not.
o. the large northern States redistricted
fos the election OF congressman.
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