The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-09
HOPEFUL VIEWS.


HOPEFUL VIEWS.
With Maryland restored to Democracy and with
Il strong chance of carrying New York, Eastern
Democrats express the highest hopes of winning the
presidential election.
New York is more of political certainty than it
was before the recent election. Democratic conf
dcucc is based upon the fact of steadily dccnn..
Republican p.uralities ard upon the recent Demo-
cratic victory. Mckinley's plurality of 100000 i'll
1856 was in 1900 to 100000. the issues and the
nominees being the same in both INSTANCES. Gov
error Roosevclt's plurality in 1898 was 1I.G0a:
Odelrs in 1902 was but 5000. Last fall the Social
list and Social Democrat vote amounted to 40U0o.
and the Proh;btionist 20G00 these scattering Gle
ments being seven times 0dell's plurality. These
elements added TO the Democratic show Il majority
of $4,000 over the entire Republican vote. Odc,lt'
victory attributed not TO lack of potential vot-
ing strength hut to Democratic Indifference. Tam
many's victory over the allied forces further
strengthens the argument deduced from these fig
ures. The Roosevc-Odcll alliance. and Platts
probable enmity, pointing to possible ultimate
party split. are further facts which should be in
Guided in the calculations
1t is counted as practically certain that New Jcr-
sey and Connecticut will go New York goes: in
both of these Democratic prospects improving.
In Delaware Democracy has fighting chance.
Circumstance conspres with opportunity TO re-
new Democratic hopes in many sections. Demo
cratic leaders everywhere express confidence. aid
the probability for united Democracy grows ON
tho other hand the Republican party is threatened
with disorgaIzation Hanna has declined to stand
by a President whose enmity to him is an open
cret and divided organization and fierce fractional
war may be the result. Much more hinges upon the
ship of the Republican National Committee than is
generally suspected. 1t is stated that Mr. Roose-
welt has. in his antasonism to Hanna. gone to the
greatest lengths in his efforts to tisplacc Heath,
and that peace with the Ohio Senator is. by reason
of this fact alone, impossible
Numerous other facts contribute to enlarge De-
mccracy's opportunity-amonS them the Republican
partys late attitude the tariff question, and. cs-
pecaly. the growth Of the Doodle issue within the
past few weeks. Mr. Roosevelt's statement append
ed to Bristows report and the presidential message
have by no means operated to offset the general
and increasing sentiment il favor of change of
administration If anything, have tended rather 20
emphasize the fact that the Republican party stands
on the wrong side of the Doodle issue. And no
amount Of buster and campaign oratory can serve
to obscure the peoples perception of that fact.
Certainly every. phase of the political situation
indicates an improved Democratic chance. A De-
mocracy solidly united upon the deeper purposes
y Of the nation never had brighter outlook. The
voters who represent the nations integrity and pow
or stand ready to employ 4 Democracy represent
ing the country's demands The people fear the
further rule Of privileged and protected interests
and look to Democracy for deliverance: they are
prepared for revolt from Republicanism. Every
consideration. it is plain TO see, makes for Demo-
cratic concentration and unifcation. Realization
Of the opportunity and an uprise of the odtme
party spirit are noticeable generally. Broad views
Of national questions and loyal adherence to the
party foundation principles obtain to the exclusion
Of minor differences. On the whole, DemOcracys
chances of union and solidarity appear superior to
those Of the Republican party. The Democratic
tendency is>strongly for harmony. Willie discord is
plainly evident in the ranks of the enemy.