The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-12-02
NO REASON FOR DEsPoNDENoY

While Republicans are disappointed in
the result of the election they are not
Respondent. 1t is true that no rational
cause existed for giving Cleveland the
popular confidence that was given only
to be abused eight years ago and that
was withdrawn for ample reason four
years ago. By every rule of sober sense
the popular vote should have been cast
for President Harrison in 1892 as it was
in 1888. Yet it is easy, on a dispassiOn-
ate review, to see why it was not. The
disposition of a host of voters is to be
Observation-Disclosures things as they are when
ever there seems to be hope of making
them better by change of government
In each Presidential election for thirty
two years the popular vote has gone
more or less generally against the party
in power, as in 1860, 1876, 1888 and 1892,
except when, as in 1854, 1868, 1872 and
1880, the opposing party either menaced
the country by some glazing danger or
else had forfeited confidence by gross
and apparent breach of faith
1t will be said and truly, that the
Democratic party this year was charge
able on both those grounds. 1t menaced
the country with the glaring dangers of
wildcat currency and the ruin of Ameri-
can industry; its candidate was the very
man whom the people not long before
had weighed in the Presidential balance
and found wanting. But as to the first
two counts in the indictment, a multitude
of voters simply refused to take warning
because the evils were not visible and
tangible to their eyes. 1t must be re-
membered that this country has not had
for thirty years and more any experience
of revenue tariff or of State bank notes.
The wreck and ruin that those twin fol-
lies caused is only too well remembered
by large numbers of men now living; but
these are but small minority of the
whole people. 1t was therefore easy, as
the event proved, to deceive younger
men into thinking that the tales of the
past were exaggerated or else that times
had SO changed that what proved evil in
the days of the fathers might be advau-
tageOusly tried again in the days of the
sons. And as to the second indictment,
the excuse was made for Mr.. Cleveland
that when in office before his hands were
tied by the fact that his party was only
in partial control of the government, and
it was promised that, given another
chance, he would do better another time.
There has been no such overwhelming
conversiOn-Or Observation-Disclosures
as our deluded ana 1Oollshly JuOllant OPP
ponents dream. The Republican party
is as strong as ever. 1t has merely lost
for time the support of large vote
that naturally belongs to it, that has
usually been in alliance with it, and that
will come back to it as surely as sunrise
follows midnight and spring follows
winter. These voters want to know
what unrestricted Democratic govern
ment means. The whole country knew
once, to its cost; but that was a long
while ago. Soon it will find out again.
The lesson will be sharp but wholesome.
Then the disaffected voters will return
not the sham Mugwump independents,
for they are neither needed nor wanted
and the Republican party will enter upon
another career of power as glorious as
that which has just been brought to a
temporary close.