The Press., 1892-11-24
After The Election.
BY REV. Q. E. HARRIS, D. D.

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 There is among our people reverent loyalty to institutions, which themselves have founded and themselves can over throw, which is remarkable. They have decreed that certain grave issues shall be determined in particular way, by the ballot, and when the result of that bal loting is announced, they accept it in 8 manly and dignified way that is admirable, as indicating the self-poise of the nation and it's devotion to principle.
 A notable example of this on a large scale has just occurred. For five months, from June to November, we underwent all the tension and excitement of presi- dential campaign. Millions of men were ranged on each side; all of them impress ed with the conviction, that their party was in the right; that the interest of the country, and the settlement of great questions of public policy, demanded the election of their candidates; and all worked with enthusiasm and untiring zeal. All other concerns were for the time pushed into the background.
 The political situation was the one thought in the minds of the people. Mill lions of money were expended. Every device that ardent partizanship could sug- gest was adopted. The whole country was at fever heat of feeling, and hope, and expectation, and suspense. After all this tremendous outpouring of treasure. energy, time, labor and emotion, one brief, Hateful day, between sunrise and sunset, decided the momentous struggle. The small slips of white paper deposited in the ballot boxes contained the destiny of the nation, as we'll as expressed the will of this great people.
 And when at sundown the millions of the minority were defeated, it would seem that sullen discontent, and smouldering hate, and vigorous efforts to embarass the victorious party must ensue, and that it must be long ere the animosities engendered would die out, and before the nation could recover from the Swell and shock of these fierce waves of political excitement. How different the actual and gratifying result! In nothing do the patriotism and loyalty of our citizens ex- hibit themselves more, than in this: that they regard country above party, princi- pie beyond success. That having sub- mitted these questions to the constitu- tional arbitrament of the ballot, they &C., quiesce unfiinchingly in it's decisions, though it's effects may be to hurl them from power, and defeat the measures they believe to be necessary to their country's success. 'Live the ballot, though it may defeat us," is the generous, far-reaching American sentiment.
 And so, through this heartfelt attach ment to our free institutions, it comes about, that we pass through this quad rennial excitement, and test of the na- tion's stability, victoriously.
 Herein is seen how deeply engraven on the hearts of our citizens is the American idea of the supremacy of the ballot. How brave are our people in defeat! How mag unanimous in victory! How patriotic in either! No defeat can be ignominious where the warfare is so gallantly conduct ed; where all parties are willing to make any sacrifice, rather than that self-gov- ernment through the ballot be restrained or interfered with. Just here may be found the cause of the difference between our vigorous national life, and the spas modic and ephemeral existence of other republics. It lies in the moderation of the majorities, the fortitude of the mi norities, and the subjection, by both, of passion to reason.
 Forever live the American ballot! It is the freeman's dearest right. It is the palladium of our liberty. It is the ark of our safety. It is the sceptre that holds it's sway over the nation, and to which all bow in allegiance. Surely, a nation so brave and self mastering, guided by such fine instincts, possessing such lofty mo- tions of national honor, and lowing so gracefully to the will of the majority, may be trusted to work out the great problem of "A govel lnment of the people, for the people, and by the people;" 8 problem of government committed by God to this nation, to solve, the only nation so hon. ored in all this world of ours