This sort of journalism was more in vogue thirty years ago than it is now, but even then it really deceived no one but Greeley. He, up to the announcement of the result, seemed to have no doubt of his election, and to deem
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of public sentiment on the new alinement.
Maine responded with a Republican majority of a little over 17,000.
The Tribune, to make the best of this, estimated the reduction of the previous Republican majority in the State by the Liberal movement at 5 per cent, and said, “The lesson, then, of the Maine election is plain.
It reveals a percentage of change which, with proper organization and work, gives us Pennsylvania and Indiana in October.
After these, the battle wins itself.”
When, in October, Pennsylvania gave a Republican majority of 40,443, and Ohio a Republican majority of 14,150, while Indiana gave Hendricks, the Democratic-Liberal, 1,148 majority, the Tribune counted 178 electoral votes for Greeley, 119 for Grant, and 69 in doubt, and said, “This leaves us but 6 votes to win from the doubtful States; it leaves Grant 65.
On that showing, who can doubt which side the chances lie?
Courage, friends.
The enemy have done their worst.
We have wrested Indiana from their grasp; the way to final victory is clear.”
New York, D. Appleton and Company, March 1903.
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