St. Paul daily globe., 1892-11-21

~ ~ more than ever
tA II TTlf1tHINl0ar'. he was right in
his opposition to extreme protection as
expressed in his celebrated speech to
the Farmers Alliance i'll the winter of
S9-1S90.
Island it must be assumed" says the
governor in the same article, THAT the
majority of the people of this country
are dissatisfied with the present Me
Kinley law. and that they believe the
best interests of the nation will be sub
served by substantial reduction upon
many of the articles now taxed for the
purpose of raising revenue"
The article is calm, fair and logical
discussion OF the defeat of the Repub-
licans in the late election. 1t follows:
The Governors Paper
The battle of ballots is over, and, now
that the smoke Of the conflict has
cleared away, it is fitting 10 consider
some of the causes that led to the
downfall of the Republican party.
1t is to be confessed the result is not
at all satisfactory to ardent Republic
ans, and, while there are many who are
ready TO go on record as having proph-
esied the disastrous defeat which has
come to the party now i'll power, surely
no one could have fOreSeen the dread
full catastrophe that was to befall a DO
litical organization that has been in
possession of the government, with but
one intermisSion, for almost third of
century.
In passing. it is to be noted that the
excitement incident 20 so important an
event in the history of the country, is
subsiding rapidly. All concur in the
outcome, and the defeated accept the
finallty with cheerfulneSS and reSigna-
ton. Such an entire acquieScence to
the will of the majority on the part of
the minority of the people of the coun-
try surely speaks well for the perma-
nency of American Institutions. That
$4,000, 900 of people should take part in
All election involving an entire change
of governmental policy, and submit to
the result with so little show of diSsatis-
faction, is fact in itself to be regarded
as most hopeful for the future stability
of republican government.
1t is worthy of remark that the con-
test was far more apathetic in its char
acter than any presidential election
that has ever taken place, at least with
in the memory of the writer. A certain
lack of interest seems to have pervaded
the public mind and an apparent indif-
ference as to the outcome. Perhaps
one reason that may be assigned
for this seeming want OF en-
thusiasm may be attributed to the char
acter of the candidates for the chief of
fees. Both President Harrison and eX-
President Cleveland were looked upon
as men of exceptional ability and char
aeter, and equally fitted to administer
the high functions Tor which they were
selected by their respective parties. The
presidential nominee of the Democrats
had already shown himself as
Entirely Capable
of executing the laws of the country
and Of administering public affairs with
firm hand. He was held in the highest
esteem by his own associates, aud re
spected by those who diSa5reed with
him politically. He was known to be
loyal to the interests of the country,
and absolutely sound so far as its finaII-
cial and commercial interests were con
cerned.
The candidate of the Republican
party. Gen. Harrison, had so managed
the affairs of the nation as to entitle
him to the respect and regard OF all
true lovers of the republic. His own
party had confidence in his ability, his
high personal character. and respected
him accordingly. President Harrison.
however. was more or less weighted
down with the natural outgroWth of
dissatisfaction among members of his
own party whom lie was unable TO
please or crafty in the disposal of pub
lie patronage. 1t is utterly impossible
for any man. however earnest his de-
sire to do right in the administration of
public affairs, to distribute the gifts of
,iah ,f..Ik 70 a.
out entailing upon himself the enmity
aud hatred Of thousand and one per
SOUS that necessarily labor under dis
appointment arising from the failure
of having their hopes and wishes
gratitied.
In the convention at Minneapolis this
feeling was evident. and evinced itself
in so many forms as to leave the i'm
preston upon the minds of many of the
delegates Of the danger of renOminat.
ing any man, however strong and able
he might be. for second term. In adj
dition, the president was held RESPONSE
bic for the fact that there were in the
convention which nominated him a
Large Number OF OfficehoIders
from The Southern states A very nat
ural condition. but one that had its ef-
feet upon many OF the delegates pres
ent. aud undoubtedly bore some fruit
in the contest, which resulted in defeat
on the Sth of November. 1t cannot be
truthfully SAID. however, that the can
ddate of the Republican party was. in
any sense. an Objectionable one: but,
OH the other hand, it may be
honestly stated that he was
worthy of an Endorsement at the
hands of his party, and the failure to
achieve victory cannot properly be as
cribed to him. He may have failed to
awaken the enthusiasm which may be
looked for in Il candidate, but surely no
man could refuse to give him his vote
on the grounds of lack of ability TO
administer the office i'll the best interests
of the people, OF of the requisite qualifi-
cations which should commend him to
the country.
In considering the various questions
in detail which have had to do with the
overthrow OF the Republican party, it
may well to call attention to the fact
that it IS the first time in the history of
the United States that tweDty-eight
different c0mmonwealths have adopted
the Australian system of voting
for presidential electors. This
plan, an admirable one in
every way. and Il system which hope
will prevail in every state in the Union,
gave ample opportunity for each voter
to cast his ballot III accordance with his
preferences and his honest convictions.
The result attained surely signifies
tie fact that each man voted uccording
to his views and judgment. un-
biastd 10y any eXtraGeouS surround
lngs, and that the ends reached