The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-04-25
BUILDING on SAND.

Judging from the views expressed py
our state officials in recent lnter'ie"
with correspondent OF the Chlc'iRo
Times, they rely to a great extent ior
success next November, on the part
which they are confident, the questions
of finance will play in party platforms.
IT is characteristic of the republican par
ty to look to political principles as
means of achieving success at the polls,
rather than means of fixing the policy
to be adopted by the government. 10
be on the right side of a question is re-
garded as the be all and the end all OF
craftsmanship. To push an issue to
final settlement in accordance with their
views does not seemingly indicate as
high degree of craftsmanship as keep
ing it open for campaign discussions
does. That agitation which prevents
opinions from crystallizing into settled
purpose is the old man of the sea
which weighs the republican party down.
The republicans Of this state having de-
servediy gained some credit for their re-
fusal to commit themselves individually
to the greenback theory, cannot now
realize that the question of greenbacks,
which was so important an element In
the election of last Fall, is now practi-
cally ont of politics. Gov. Smith and
Secretary Warner are both confident OF
success on this issue. The genius of
business has settled that matter and 1T Is
no longer an issue before the people OF
th. s or of any other state. Gold Is al
ready in circulation in this state; debts
are being paid in gold. Practically there
is no difference between the value OF a
gold dollar and that of greenback dol
lar. If tie republican party hope to
achieve success through financial issues
they must fight it out in the domain OF
memory. But memory will not cling as
tenaciously to the abstruse question OF
finance as it did to the feelings engen-
dered by the war. Patriotism is allied
to the sensibilities; finance appeals to
the intellect. The latter is incapable Of
inspiring that violent enthusiasm which
comes from the former. Patriotism be-
comes unreasoning passion when acted
upon by shrewd demagogues. The war
waged between the two sections Of the
union inspired feelings which long sur
vived the occasion which gave them
birth. The war feeling was kept alive
by designing politicians lorg after the
grey uniform was forgotten by the men
who wore it, and much longer than the
interests of the country could afford.
The economic question of finance has
adjusted itself. Neither party deserves
credit for its settlement. The unerring
laws of business, if left free to act, will
always bring satisfactory adjustment
of these matters. The peoples good
sense will show them that any attempt
to revive the question will be simply So
much buncombe.
The abuses which gave rise to the wal
furnished the republican party with a
platform which merited and received
success. The record made then has
sustained them ever since. They lived
ON its memory and could perceive moth
ing else in the affairs of the country de-
serving attention. The republicans of
Wisconsin are still adhering to those
tactics and building hopes for the future
on issues that are dead Material for an
acceptable platform is not easily gather
ed. 1t is unfortunate for the republicans
that resumption is practically settled at
n time so IN opportune to their hopes.
Defeat next fall will be fatal to republi-
prestige. If resumption had not asserted
Itself before the time fixed by law, they
might go before the country strengthen
ed with hard money platform. Now
for them to assume to have brought
about resumption or to go before the
people of the state under the pretense of
doing what is already done, is nonsense
which the people will not fail to see.