New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-18
LOYALTY AND EDUCATION.

This Nation has reason 10 De prOuu VI ioo iaoo
| election. When more than sixty millions OF
people peacefully express their will through
the ballot-box, without rioting or bloodshed in
any State, the spectacle is one which may well
excite admiration. When the decision OF the
people is reached without even the serious sus-
picion of fraud in either Of the great States
upon which the result turns-for no sane citizen
of either party really supposes that the plu-
ralty in this State or Indiana was attained by
fraudulent returns or by corrupt means OF any
kind-that also is fact of which the country
may be proud. And again, for the second time
in five years, great political party in full con-
troll of the Administration, the House of Repre-
sentatves, the Treasury, the Army and the
Navy, promptly acquieSces in the declared VIII
of the people transferring all the power to
different party. and prepares peacefully to sur
render its trust No grander proof OF the SELL
governing ability of the people could be given
than this instant and peaceful obedience to the
decision of voters.
1t is not forgotten that the South is still an
anachronsm. Elections there do not yet faith
fully represent the will of the whole people.
A few hot-heads mainly from that section have
been scheming to defeat the choice OF the peo-
pie in the election of Congressman. Southern
Democracy does not yet come up to the stand
ard of a genuine Americanism. But for the
South also better day is dawning, and it may
be hoped that an honest election and loyal
acceptance of the result are not far distant for
the people of that section. The election OF
General Harrison there is reason to hope may
mark the end of the attempt of Southern poll
ticians to rule a great Nation by sectional
solidity attained through methods at war with
the Constitution and the laws For the present
let the South stand aside, not yet quite worthy
of American freedom. Think for the moment
how grand is the spectacle presented in other
States where probably not far from nine mill
ions of freemen have deposited their ballots IN
peace and perfect freedom and where the de-
cared results are instantly accepted by two
great and nearly equal parties.
If there have been 5000, 600 votes cast in
States formerly free, the Republican plurality
is not far from one-twenteth of that number.
1t is as if o votes had been cast, Il for one
party and for the other. Strange we may
well reflect that the division here should be
so nearly equal; it would not be if the work
of educating the voters had been more faith
49,
voters perhaps quarter of million in num-
Der, who have turned the scale have been con-
WINGED by experience and argument, many of
them within few weeks of ardent popular
discussion, and no one imagines that even as
much as a hundredth part of the entire vote
was affected by fraud or bribery, while the
nineteen prepare as promptly and peacefully to
Law down their power as if the majority against
them had been three or four times as great.
That is loyalty, and without genuine loyalty
true government by the people cannot live.
Self-congratulation is not the only lesson OF
the hour. The situation was such and the in
terests of the people were so clear that there
ought to have been a majority OF 20 instead OF
majority Of in 40 votes. There was not
because the work Of educating voters had
been long neglected Readers will remember
that it has for years been urged in these COL
umns that the Republican party could insure
popular support of its principles only by con-
slant and thorough education Of voters upon
the questions chiefly disputed between parties.
The recent result proved two things first,
that the process of education was not inefec-
tive, though in the main neglected until the
most favorable time had passed; and second,
that it was neglected so long that there was
serious danger of an adverse decision.
Most of the active politicians have yet to
learn that the votes Of the people are in fact
mainly influenced not by the clap-trap Of cam
pagn platforms and speeches, not by brass
bands and torches, not even by catch-words
and tricks and political lodges but by sincere
opinions deliberately and gradually formed.
When candidates were nominated last July
more than nine-tenths of the voters had formed
opinions which they did not change. Different
opinions would have been formed by a great
many had the reasons for protecting home in
dustry and the evidence that protection had re-
suited in blessings been placed before all voters
early enough to be carefully and dspassionate
ly considered. The lesson to be learned is that
the work of educating public opinion for cleo
tons two years hence must begin now.