New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-27
TINE !STTT1TTON.

"Uow do YOU like it r. Republicans ask each
other A little too often the answer IS: wv
must win: IL is all over but the shouting
Confidence is good but not so much OF IL as 10
lessen effort. The TRIBUNE thinks victory can
be and will be won it does not think victory
is won already The Democrats were ndlcu-
lousiy certain Of success year ago, and now
the shrewdest of them know that they have
oneped the way for their overwhelming defeat.
But the defeat might be escaped if Republicans
were to initiate their er-conhdence or their
folly.
Mr.. Cleveland was the one candidate whose
nomination against President Harrison involved
n constant reminder of defeat. lie was the one
candidate whom great numbers OF Democrats
had declared they would not support ii noml-
mated third time. lie was the one candidate
whom Alliance Democrats had determined to
defeat. and was also the most aSsailabie OF all
candidates in manufacturing and wool growing
States on account of his tariff record. The con-
yention loaded him down with platform which
ought to be fatal to any candidate, and damaged
his chances further by putting Oh the ticket
with him one whose Greenback and civil SER
vice records were in fiat contradiction with the
protested wishes of Mr. Clevelands supporters.
All things considered the Democrats could not
have done more than they actually did to open
the way for Republican victory.
In some other respects Mr.. Cleveland has
strength. He delights the Free-Tladers. lie
is hated by the silver fanatics As the one
Democratic President for thirty years, he
showed enough conservatism in finances to per-
suade many Democratic business men that the
A. ,;obf hn 1ica sfpOlS
to the country, for they forget that he was
constantly held in check by Republican Sen
ate. More business men will support President
Harrison than Mr.. Cleveland but more will
support Mr.. Cleveland than would have sup
ported other Democratic candidates. lie was
never strong in Indiana. Mr. Stevenson, who
never reached especial honor in Illinois, Is
weaker in that State, Indiana and ONO than
Mr.. Thurman was who had been for years
Chief Justice of the State for many years
Senator of great distinction, and repeatedly
candidate for President. At the East MI
Cleveland will find it hard to carry either New
York or New-Jersey, and should make all New
England safely Republican. Nevertheless, he
has a powerful army of strongly attached
friends, who held Office under him and have
hopes, and they will make q desperate struggle.
In one particular, his very weakness as
candidate before the people opens chance OF
success for his party. Because many thousand
Democrats in Southern and Western States may
reject him, bolt the party, and support fresh
candidate, there is the possibility that some Re-
publican voters may be persuaded TO join them
If enough do so to take States from the Re-
publican column and prevent an election by the
people, the present House will elect, each State
casting one vote, and in that event Mr.. Cleve-
land would be elected
"In vain is the net spread in sight OF any
bird" But some birds are very short-si2hted.
Il seems scarcely conceivable that Democrats
and Republicans who would not vote for Mr..
Cleveland himself under any circumstances can
nevertheless conspire together to elect him by
supporting a third ticket. But there are some
voters whose intelligence rises just to that level
and not further. Democratic managers who
have low idea of the popular intelligence
evidently think that of such voters there are
many 1t will probably be found that they arc
mistaken, as usual. But the possibility is one
against which Republicans must guard by max
ing absolutely sure of the States in which they
can command q majority. When there are
three tickets in the field, and much confusion,
and all sorts of reports about Western posi-
bilties, men may be deluded who see things
clearly now. The obvious duty is to make
sure of Connecticut, New-York, NewJersey
and Indiana by early and well-drectcd work.