Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-07-09
An Interesting View of the Political Situa-
fi0u

The republican party once stood for free
CON, and on those lines it aroused the con.
| science of the country, fought a historical
battle and won splendid victory.
Since the days of slavery, however, it has
lived on the reputation of its ancestry, like
the last degenerate scion of once noble
| family.
Of late it has been working the theory Of
protection for all it Is worth. But the peo
pie are discovering that the more protec
ton they get the worse off they are.
The Mckinley bill so far Outdares all
other daring of the same sort that it may
be fitly described as the protective theory
| in fit of delirium tremens. Like a
''honeysuckle villain," it promises wealth
and brings bankruptcy.
1t does not represent the greatest good
of the greatest number, but the greatest
good of the ,epublcan party. In the las.
analysis it il taxation to the very verge of
robbery in the interest of favored class.
As popular measure, therefore, it is eth
er blunder or crime, or possibly both.
Mr.. Blaine declares openly that ths bill
Indicates bad generalship, and hints that
if it is forced through Congress the repub-
licans may as well buy magnificent tomb.
stone and make ready for first class fun
eral. He boldly asserts that the country
won't stand it-another way of saying that
in 1892 the people will ring out the batter
ed and tattsred party Of plunder and ring
in the healthier policy Of the democrats.
He uses even stronger language concern
ing the Federal Election bill.
It is measure whose ultimate effect will
be to fill the South with spell NELL havoc
and confusion" Its passage would be the
most ominous incident in the history of our
times.
The South is just beginning to pull itself
together. Northern capital and Southern
enterprise are working shoulder to should
er to develop that whole section below the
Ohio River. This bill will hit both the
capital and the enterprise singing, possi-
by fatal, blow. Money is naturally shy
of risky investments. Large dividends fall
to allure whore uncertainty prevails as to
the principal.
The Federal Election bill proposes, prac
tically, to wrest political control from the
hands Of responsible landowners, merchants
and manufacturers and give it to an ifre-
possible class who have nothing to Ioss
and everything to gain. 1t banishes the
whites to the background and brings the
colored people to the front as the arbiters of
fate.
1t is hoped thereby to add another lease
Of life to the republican party That is to
say, the leaders of this party stand ready to
sacrifice the industrial prospects of the whole
South in order to assure themselves a con-
tinued hold on the emolnments and per-
quisites of office.
Mr.. Blaine has taken a. strong stand in
opposition to both of these measures. He
has no sympathy with the reckless audacity
of his party, and is too conservative to dab.
bic with revolutionary methods in order to
gain temporary advantage.
He is therefore roundly denounced, and it
is even hinted that he will be forced to re-
sign. A resignation uuder such circum-
stances would be the most memorable, as it
would also be the most crsditabe act of his
public life.
He is willing either to follow or lead his
party to larger national prosperity, but
when he sees it rushing headlong into irre-
trievable folly, he refuses to share its fate.
He has dared to exhibit some common
sense on matters which involve the welfare
of sixty-five millions of people, and his fel.
low republicans regard that as an unpardon-
able sin.
When a Second Adventist told Emerson
that the world was coming to an end the
quiet transcendentalist replied, 81 think we
shall get on quite as we'll without it,"
1t the republicans inaugurate any more
measures like the Mckinley aud the Fed
eral Election bills the same rumor will be
afoat concerning their party, and the gen.
eral verdict will be, We can get on quite as
we'll without it,-N. Y. Herald.