St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-11-20
QUAY'S DEFEAT.
What Chris Maeee Says.

Mr.. Christopher L. Mage, the
well-known Pennsylvania republi
can, in speaking of the recent over
turn in that strong republican state
says: 1.-The election of Pattison is
simply a rebuke to the methods en-
ployed to control the republican
organization and nominations in our
state, where the real sentiment of the
party has been SO often defed that
this revolution was inevitable. 1t is
well that it came off this year, when
the party will have "a months to
revise it's methods, change some OF
it's men, and announce features of its
policy before entering upon a presi-
Dental campaign. In the country
at large the Mckinley bill played a
very important part. 1t went before
the people with fresh and strong
case against it, made up by able
special pleaders, while our attorneys
and advocates were impotent, with
discussions in the party organiza-
sented to the people.
The worst that can be said against
the new tariff measure has already
been put down, and the impressions
made are only the first shadows re-
Elected by a rising sun. We have
now time for study and for organiza-
ton, and, what is of greater impor-
tanCe, for testing this new econom-
ical measure which has caused so
much disturbance. l believe that it
will stand investigation, and with
trial will return good results.
With the prosperity that [ believe
the silver bill will bring US, and the
promotion of industries and the en-
largement of the labor market under
the Mckinley bill, l have faith that
the disaster of this year will be re-
trieved in 1892, and that next years
elections will show a calmer and
more settled judgment upon the
national policy to which the repub-
Hcan party is committed"
''Then there is another chance for
the republicans ?"
ttThe lesson this election teaches is
that room must be made in the re-
publican organization for a man as
well as partisan. The lines of the
republican party have been narrow
ing. Ever since General Grant left
the presidency our able leaders have
fought each other to the death, max
ing it impossible for us to nominate
a man of strong individuality and
brain power for the highest Offices in
the nation. Arbitrary methods and
half brutal conditions finally weak
ened the party to point where such
a revolution as this was necessary,
if the party was to exist with fight
ing chance of success.
l can find no loss of faith in the
principles of the republican party, as
istered, but there has been a growing
loss of faith in its leadership and in
the methods which have dominated
itever since the time of Hayes. They
were not confined to the national
and state organizations, but to local
conditions as we'll, where the will Of
the majority was set aside at the
dictation of master who was
strong enough to deny what [ may
call home rule to the counties. At
least that is very true in our state;
doubtless to a greater extent than
any other.
Ourcountry has always repudiated
this alien landlordism in politics, and
suppose that is the real reason why
Mr.. Quay is so bitter for the wonder
full part it took in defeating his can
didate, for 1 make a broad distinc-
ton between the candidate of a
party and an appendage to Mr..
Quay, who has just been defeated.
There is no use of moralizing upon
this subject. The reasons for this
defeat are SO apparent that he who
runs may read, but Pennsylvania is
republican, and will remain so.'
Can the party recover ~
Certainly. l believe this purging
will do it good. 1t will be like feed
ing hide bound cattle after a hard
winter with fresh grass of spring
time. It will work off the rough
hair and make the body smooth and
sleek. That is if the lesson which
this defeat teaches is taken advan-
tage of.
We have plenty of time to consider
what can and ought to be done be-
fore the next convention. Then, if
we are able to present a strong man
of individuality and power upon a
platform liberal enough to satisfy
the whole organization the party
will be brought together with new
impulses, gain new powers and win
the race again. Should this be the
case then it will have strong life,
for it has been in the past the party
of courage in every emergency"