The advocate., 1890-12-24

Topeka CdpttdL under the head OF
the "Future Of the Republican Par
ty" IL is not particularly intelligent
or philosophical, but as it shows some
thing Of the thought that is in the
mind of quite a well meaning leglsla-
tor, The ADVOCATE feels like bestOw-
ing upon it some attention.
The introduction to Mr.. Elliston's
communication is this:
A great many Who II noise werean indication,
have been the most enthusiastic republicans,
seem driven TO the very verge Of despair by the
November tidal wave, and stand almost ready 10
admit that the republican party Is rretrleyably
lost. And they assign innnmerabe and Infinitely
varying reasons for the phenomenal uprising.
While conscious that nothing except our own
folly can convert our recent rebuff into q defeat
two years hence IL would be unwlse 10 underes-
innate the Importance Of at once ascertaining, II
possible, the true and substantial reason for our
present embarrassment; and II seems as though
they should be easily ascertained from simple
analysis Of the general result.
He thinks "the phenomenal upris-
ing is not materially due to the posi-
tion of our party with regard to tar
if, nor even to the Mckinley BILL
for "there is no serious complaint
with the tariff plank In the republi-
can platform" but he says:
The people have "shrewd suspicion" that the
hue and cry about the tariff has been raised by
the mOnOpOsts for the purpose OF dlverting at-
tention from their own infamous schemes and
they see much 20 prove their suspicious In the
fact that lmtless quantities Of free trade ltera-
ture, costing thousands ot dollars, have been
gratultously circulated throughout the country,
while every newspaper claiming 10 be republ-
can, but run without principle and upon the mer-
cenary plan, and there are many such, has been
and Is a strenuous advocate OF free trade.
II plain, too, that the storm had reached its
climax before the people had any idea Of what
would be done in relation TO the tariff and IL
will be seen hereafter that the tools OF mOnOpO-
lies in Congress, even though they voted for the
measure, will make the result OF the election the
pretext for denouncing the Mckinley bill.
The foregoing seems a little hazy
and may to q person who would
make much of a pretension of under
standing economic questions" in any
satisfactory manner to ones self, and
perhaps it would so appear to the
senator when he declares:
OF fcOurse the people are by no means lndiiler-
ent to the question, and when more important
matters are satisfactorily adjusted will carefully
investigate the provisions of the Mckinley bill,
and II they find II is not Ia correct application OF
republican principles, OradiscrlminatlOn against
the agricultural classes, Insist upon its proper
revision.
He then goes to Georgia and speaks
of "meek and pstriarchal-looking, but
hypocritical old Joe Brown" and re-
ferring to his Senatorial successor as:
The eloquent and gallant General Gordon,
whose worldly goods are few, but whose integri.
ty stands above reprOach. II is true that Gordon
was as great and much mOregallant rebel, and
possibly not more Inclined to swallow alliance
doctrines but the people seemed to think the re-
belllon ended and that it is time to organize a
crusade against the mOnopohes and their tools
He then glances at Pennsylvania,
which, with her $4,000 republican
majority, elected democratic gov
ernor to show her WEAKNESS of boss
rule" From this he launches onto
Illinois and Wisconsin and makes
confession and gives admOnition as
follows:
Ttitrcts -ota,ts a, c,av hoUe WarUalt and VIA