The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-16
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
A REPUBLICANS REVIEW OF THE PoLIT.
ICAL FIELD.
Interesting Speculation as to the
Chances of Democratic and Re.
nubIican Candidates.
Shenandoah. Iowa, Sentinel.


There can be little doubt that Benz. Harri
son will be re-nominated by the republicans.
He has made good president anu has no en-
eUies in his party. The withdrawal OF Mr.
Blaine leaves practically clear nela lor tne
no such unity OF sent inent. Grover Cleve-
land Is undoubtedly the choice of q majority
OF the party, and the ablest man In the party,
but his open opposition to the free coinage OF
silver has alienated many of his friends, es-
pecally in the west; and his own state, the
pivotal state Of New York. has gone over
Geveiand SHa Phtor Phe democrats en- a Of % the Country
by consulting their preferences only, would
force the nomination OF Cleveland, out they
know that TO do so would destroy their hope
of success In New York and indeed would
meet with dangerous oppostions from the
hard money democrats in that stale. Neither
Cleveland nor Hill could command the full
strength of the democratic party In the pivo-
tai states. There Is much talk through the
west Of selecting u western candidate not al
lied with either faction OF eastern democra-
cy, but with such a selection there Is danger
York City will be Indifferent and permit the
loss of New York, New Jersey and Connecti-
cut which would Iuore than overbalance any
gain they could hope to make eons In the ne west e
mer but there Is little Likelihood OF their Sc
lection, as in the event the party goes west OF
New York they will try to secure Indiana.
Gray and Carlisle would, 1t seems TO us, come
democratic candidate than any one yet men-
toned, unless Hill withdraws his opposition
to Cleveland.
Had the election been held two years ago or
even one year ago the democrats would have
been successful beyond doubt. but there are
several reasons To think the Two parties are
now nearly equal in strength. The advan-
tage secured by the democrats Two years ago
owing to a misconception of the tariff has
been to great extent lost because their pre-
dictions as to prices have not come TO pass
except In a few instances. Furthermore
many of them have not the courage that ami.
mated Grover Cleveland toadvocate tariff for
revenue only, and their halting course under
the leadership OF Crisp and Springer Is not a
course that will compare favorably with the
aggressive, positive policy OF the republicans.
There Is but one opinion among republicans
on the tariff question and that Is unfaltering
devotion to the principle OF protection. The
democrats are also apparently hopelessly d.
vided on the silver question. If they declare
for free coinage they abandon their hope Of
New York and Connecticut and endanger
Maryland and the Eirginias. If they declare
against 1t they offend their friends in the
west and destroy hopes OF gains there. If.
like Governor Boies, they ignore the silver
question they will be regarded with suspicion
by extremists on both sides and az cowardly
by verybOdy. The republican party on the
other hand has nothing TO fear from this
cause. They Will not be In danger OF loss of
any western state unless the democratic par
ty declares for free coinage, In which event
the republicans would win In New York. 1t
will thus be seen that the republicans are
harmonious and aggressive both as to candi-
dates and issues willie the,democrats are I'll.
vided and timid as 10 both. The democrats,
however, have an advantage in their prestige
of an almost overwhelming victory in the
congressional elections two years ago, 10y the
fact that they have almost undisputed con-
troll of the sOntli which elects nearly half the
electors, by their division of Michigan which
will prevent Il republican victory counting for
anything, and by their absolute control OF
the political machinery In New York. There
is also a possibility of coalitions with the peo-
pies party in some states and thus secure the
defeat OF the republicans. Such n resu II
would benefit the democrats either directly
or indirectly. Directly, If they should there
ly If the peoples party should secure, In this
manner, enough electors 10 throw the cleo
ton into the House OF Represen tatives, for
that being democratic would certainly elect
the democratic candidate.
The electoral college will consist Of 4i4 men,
bers, OF which twill take 9S8 to elect; The
election this fall will be the first under the
new apportionment and the republicans will
have little advantage as the solid south,
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut can
no longer control the election, as the follow
ing figures will show: The l6 states known
York has 81, New Jersey 10 and Connecticut
making 2ll in all or l2 votes less than ma.
jority. If we add to that half the Michigan
electors the result is 2lS or less than ma
jority. The democrats then to win must
carry all those states and Indiana or some
ences In which the republicans could via
without New York but hardly possibility
for democratic success without New York.
Figures will show this Let us suppose that
New York goes republican and then figure
out democratic victory If possible.