The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1884-11-13

No matter what the outcome in the
state of New York may be, whether the
same shows a democratic Or republican
plurality, the fair and honest thinking
people of the United States are about dis
gustel with this idea Of the city Of New
York controlling the election of the pres
idency Over ten million voters lay back on
their oars and feel that the matter Of cast
ing there vote was useless, and the report
OF the paltry two hundred thousand in
New York is anxiousIy looked for. If the
city Of New York gives democratic ma
jority of but 80, 900 the election Of a re
publican president is assured. If the same
city discloses democratic majority OF 40,
900 change Of but 5000 votes the other
way, then the democratic cry is heard that
the nation the south attempted to destroy
is theirs Is it a national election? The
above is the result so long as social power
overrides political principles in the south
The republican party proclaimed protection
to American industries as their issue IL
this campaign. while the democracy at
tempted to crawl from under he load of free
trade Protection is absolutly necessary tc
the prosperity Of Virginia and West Nir.
ginia, and on this question the people Of
those states were about unanimous. These
states belong to the solid south and went
democratic. Democratic leaders inform us
that their party is in favor of free trade.
The question naturally arises did the twin
states vote on political issues, or did they
vote as their social prejudices dictated.
They tell us figures do not lie, and from
that stand point the assertion is made that
at least in two states of the solid south nc
issues were considered 1t was the old cry
reitera ted, and the north should have had
the sense to send back solid north. And
while this assertion is made we must ad-
nit that in some OF the western states the
free traders in the republican ranks were
in majority. Had they considerd their
direct individual or state interests they
would have favored partial reduction of
the tariff. This reduction would probably
indirectly benefit the farmers of Iowa,
Minnesota and Dakota to slight extent,
but would cripple the industries of an ele-
ment that overpowers US ten to one in
numbers and cash capital These states
voted on the point of the greatest good to
the greatest number Recognizing that
millions of capital and the future prosper
ity of the masses required protection, they
fell in line and voted on an issue that ben
eftted and would continue to benft the
people as whole. At present the ques-
ton bears but little importance to the in
dividual inhabitant of Dakota, or Of any of
the western states for that matter. Every
thing considerd, we do not concede that
free trade would in the long run benefit
even the settlers in prairie
country. Free trade would cause
oyerproduction, which always means
stagnation and almost financial ruin.
This would not only directly effect every
manufacturing state in the union, but
would be doubly injurious to western states
where immigration and eastern capital is
absolutly essential for immediate develop
ment. Had the people of the United
States dropped all sectional or prejudica
feelings aside last Tuesday and voted or
the direct issue-protection Or free trade
the republican nominees would have beer
elected by majority Of two to one.
tits really to be hoped that in the nation
al contest in 1888 the election will be ma
tional one, and national questions be con
sidered AS an indication of enlightenment
and widening of thought and views, it is
certainly to be hoped that a solid soutl
will not continue as adamant, nor the north
be obliged to resent the insult to nationa
elections by continuing absolutly solid. Lei
both south and north break, and let ma
tional questions be considered. But this
time the north has again relented, ano
the south, solidly solidifed, las won. AL
things considered, was it right that ths
north relented. We believe not.