The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1884-10-23
FRED GERBER.


The word has been passed along the
line in this legislative district that the
democrats can win, that the disciples of
slavery, free tradeism and immortality may
through disahection in the unoyal ranks
of republicanism grasp the honors Of leg
islative tenure and become victorious
through the family fight that has loomed
athwart the horoscope OF republican skies.
That they haye plausible reasons in the
advancement of the claims as to future
success seems now a reasonable inspiration
from which they may sip the hope of a
prospective elevation. That they may
be doomed to disappointment in the end
is elimination that every republican in
Lincoln county may parta ke, and result
they may assist in. The counties of
Union and Clay are liable to disclose ma
.orities over that of the straight republi
can ticket, and the possibility assumes the
form of a probability that the former re-
publican majority in Lincoln county must
be rendered in order to overthrow the ad-
verse result in the balance of the district.
At the ouset of the legislative contest over
the nomination The ADVOCATE stood up
on the platform Of requested equalization,
firm in the belief that Canton WAS entitled
to a member of the council and that the
interests of the county demanded re-
searcher, a rustler and slayer; one who
at the proper time would see that Lincoln
county at least secured founda-
tion while the balance of the counties
were receiving the whole structure The
same request was made by the voters of
this city two years ago, but the minority
were overuled. This time repetition
was practiced, and if any one section
should feel agrieved the city of Canton is
certainly the injured party and is the one
that would resent the insult-if such it
was intended But the question has been
passed upon, and the ultlmatum resolves
itself down to the question of republican
ism or democracy, the enunciation of re-
publican principles or the relegation of
democratic doctrine. A prominent leader
in the national arena of democratic poll
tics, in order to shield Cleveland ana Hen
bricks from their personal unpopularity,
tells US that the contest this year is not
merely the substitution Of one set of men
for another of different party, but that
it is a struggle for mastery between prin
ciples and policies. He tells us that a
change of characters and not change of
princi pies can result in no benefit whatev-
er; and arguing from this standpoint it
naturally seems established that change
of persons merely would tend to be disad-
vantageous in our representation. The
point then to be raised in this dis
trict is as to whether the voters desire an
entire change of national policy, which
means a complete overthrow of republican
principles, and substituting those of the
solid south and very few northern states.
1t is not a fight for men nor one that
should allow of but instantaneous prejudice
ial entrances. 1t is a struggle for the
maintenance of the policy that now domi
mates, contest that will disclose whether
or no we are in favor. of upholding the
canvass of Blaine and Logan or that of the
opposite ilk. Personal repulsion should
be cast aside for the furtherance of prin-
ciple, and question of popularity remain
dormant for the elevation of the cause we
represent. If we are republicans from
fundamental belief in certain law of doc
trine, we are surely republicans. IF we
are republicans merely for the men that
suit our individual tastes, we are not re-
publlcans. If we are republican because
the issues of that party impress a direct
ing or dominating influence on our behav-
iours, in order to show to the world that
we do practice as we preach, the support
of those doctrines must be made promi-
nent. On these grounds then, the parti-
sans of this legislative district and Of this
county must certainly show their colors.
If they are republicans when the caucuses
are held and when the convention con-
venes, they must follow their own selection
Of policy to the polls.
There is but little reason to question
the loyalty of the mass of the voters of
Lincoln county, but on a. few selections
there seems to be some expressions of un-
favorableness and lack unanimity in the
support furnished the ticket. What is
desired at this particular time in the final
lesson that is to be taught the democracy
is complete and overpowering extinguish-
ment of their clamor, a lasting lesson that
will prove that until an entire change Of
doctrine is undergone they must continue
in the minority. In this year above all
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