Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-09-20

Democratic organs VIII pllnoiy ihsist
that Delaware is certain to vote Demo-
cratic at the November election. Re-
publican organs are cock.sure that 1t
is only necessary for the Republican
factions TO come together in support
of common ticket in order to insure
Republican victory. So, as far as the
predictions of party organs are CON
osrned, the people who depend upon
them are all at sea.
But the careful observer Of political
events, no matter what his political
preferences may be, does not blindly
jump at conclusions when it comes to
considering political conditions. He
reviews the entire field, makes COM
rsrisons with the past as well as calcu-
latiors for the future, and endeavors
to come as nearly as possible to what
the actual result is likely to be.
Delaware has shown Republican
majority on the popular vote at the
past three elections. The change came
In 1894, when the influences adverse to
the Democratic party that prevailed all
over the country made their impression
felt in this State and converted a
Democratic majority of about 500 at
the previous election into o Republi
can majority of about l, 400. Two years
later, at the election of 1896, when
there was great objection by Democrats
to the candidates and platform Of their
party, this majority was increased to
over $500. Two years later, at the
election of 1898, the Republican ma
jority fell to about $500 for Repre-
sentative in Congress. Here was the
first Indication of reaction in favor
OF the Democrats since 1894.
1t cannot be denied that the Coz
ditions at present are more favorable
to the Democrats in Delaware than
they have been since 1894. The open
opposition to Bryan that found ex-
preston four years ago in. distinct
Democratic movement is not now ap
parent, and many Democrats will vote
for him this year who voted for Palmer
and Buckner or Mckinley four years
ago. There may still be, despite thi:
fact, sufficient Democratic opposition
to Bryan to give the vote of the Statt
again to Mckinley, but there is nj
Indication that this opposition will b,
directed against the Democratic Stat,
and county tickets.
These facts show the largely i'm
proved condition of the Democratic
PARTY in the pending campaign. Th,
Palmer and Ruclsner ticket of 1s9
poiled nearly thousand votes. Thi
year this vote has no organization, ant
there is personal knowledge that
large proportion of it will vote the full
Democratic ticket. Here is a larg
and distinct gain, to begin with
Many other personal instances ar
known Of Democrats who voted tn
full Republican ticket in 1896, blu
who will vote the full Democrati
ticket in 1900.
Under such circumstances, a part
that has been in the minority for tn
past three elections finds itself muc
stronger this year. 1t in not extravf
giant to say that it finds itself in
state Of extreme hopefulness. As
fact, the Democratic party of Del,
ware is today SO much stronger than
has been since the election of 1892, ,
to warrant its leaders in the bell
that they will elect their State ar
county tickets and majority of IL
Legislature, even should the Dem
cratic opposition to Bryan be stror
enough to give the electoral vote
the State to Mckinley. Such is Il
outlook at present. 1t can be mo
definitely estimated after the regi
trstion is completed, and canVa
can be made of every man in the Sta
who will be qualified to vote.