New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-12
THE CAUSES or POLITICAL CHANG

THE CAUSES or POLITICAL CHANGE'
He il dull man who cannot see that the
nol;ticaI atmosphere has changed greatly since
November 1. In discussions among themselves
even Democrats admit the fact for they argue
about the possibility of eecting this candidate
or that with much heat, whereas they WOuld
have no occasion to disturb themselves II as
sured of the plurality in more than two-thiruS
of the Congressional districts. 1t is because
they know that no such result as that OF last
November is now possible that they are anxious
and heated. But men who realize the change
Of feeling are not agreed as to its causes.
Foremost of all causes, it seems safe to say,
has been the greater attention which President
Harrison and his Administration have attracted.
The people realize that the Administrator mas
been efficient, faithful and clean The Presl-
dents message in December was beginning
of change in thousands Of minds 1t was one
of those calm and sincere appeals which recall
mutitudes to their convictions OF duty, anu
make them ashamed of piques, friyolities and
iooshness 1t reminded the people that they
had not vet found out what Congress had DONE
whether good or bad, nor had time to ascertain
the practical working of any important meas
ure. The powerful papers of the Secretary OF
State, in dealing with British and Italian queS-
tons, have deeply impressed the public mlLld'
The completion of the Reciprocity Treaty with
Brazil, securing for this country great ana last
ing advantages, has been another triumph when
the people have not overlooked, and the knowl-
edge that other treaties of a similar nature are
coming gives satisfaction to patriotic men OF ali
parties. The Presidents own addresses on his
Western Journey, so frankly and convincingly
setting forth the objects and beliefs OF Repub-
leans. have done great good, and by millions
of readers they have been contrasted with the
utterances of President Cleveland, not to the
disadvantage of the Republican party.
Less conspicuously and yet very powerful
lv. the new tariff has been winning favor. IL
has been a great revelation to millions OF voters
TO discover that prices of necessaries OF LIE
affected by the tariff have not been enhanced
that nearly all articles of that nature are already
so far supplied by domestic production that the
duty does not affect the price in the least, and
that the foreign producers have been obliged
| in almost every instance to reduce the prices
of those articles which were largely imported
| and on which duties were advanced, thus pay
| ing the additional duties themselves. Facts OF
| this nature by the thousand come to men In
their daily experience and they produce
powerful impression in favor of the Protective
policy. A great army of voters, who were
cheated by false statements last November,
| have found it out, and are Justly indignant.
In almost every part of the country moreover,
new factories, shops, mills and mines have
been opened, offering employment to more
workers, on account of the better protection
secured The people all around every such
new centre of industry are noting the change
and learning the~true cause.
Another influence of great weight for the
| Republican party has been the financial I'M
certainty, calling attention constantly to the
! wild and dangerous schemes against which the
| country is protected only by a Republican Pres
ident and Senate. Experience since last No
vember has taught multitudes what free coin
age of silver would mean, and how it would
| affect their interests. The depression in many
kinds of industry and trade which Immediately
| followed the triumphS of a Farmers Alliance
with the Democratic party in many States, and
| the election Of a House overwhelmingly Demo-
cratic, made men appreciate the fact that in
such an alliance there was great danger to all
business interests. The outgo of gold, whether
due in any measure or not to apprehension of
bad legislation next winter has taught men
how easily tho Nation might be deprived of all
use of the money current throughout the civil
lied world if the power to meet such emer-
gencies were not intrtlsted to a competent and
strong Republican statesman. Thus both the
fortunes and the misfortunes of the country, it's
triumphs and its anxieties, have combined to
show how necessary to its prosperity is a reso-
Lutte maintenance of Republican principles
|