The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-10-14
THE DRIFT OF NATIONAL POLITICS.

The current Of public opinion is set
ting strongly from every quarter against
the aspirations of Benjamin Harrison
and the republican party.
There are many clearly defined reasons
why this should be the case, and there
is no question that the tide will become
stronger and stronger each day until
"Little Ben and his myrmidons are
swept into the maelsarom which will en-
gulf them on November the Sth. Their
fate will be well deserved. 1t will be the
legitimate outcome and consequence of
their own acts and their defiance of pub
lie opinion and common decency, and
direct r%etribution upon them for at
tempting to trample on tie rights and
liberties of the American people.
In no respect is the trend of public
opinion so strongly emphasized as in
the Withdrawal from the republican par
ty of Judge Gresham, ex-Attorney Gen
eral MacVeagh, Judge Cooley and many
other men OF national repute, all of more
or less local Importance in their sections.
Inevery case the men who have deserted
the sinking ship of the republican party
are thoughtful men who are patriots
rather than partisans, and who pre- fer
the perpetuation of American %institu-
tons to their own immediate interests
or ambitions. Judge Gresham who is
pre-eminent for his independence and
great strength of character, is at the
head of the great army of patriotic voters
who will this year depart from their
custom of supporting the republican
party by their votes and cast their bal
lots for the candidates of the democratic
party. who are best qualified to promote
the interests of the country at large.
The issues are very clearly drawn On
the n hand we have the republican
| party e%ntrenched behind an army of Of
flee holders. who are prepared to do any
thing their masters tell them in order to
secure the success of their party. An
organized conspiracy is on foot to cor
rupt voters, to coerce republican de-
pendents. and to perpetrate any possible
fraud that may be necessary to secure
votes in doubtful districts. There never
was known in this country such a stu
pendous attempt to set at defiance every
principle that is held sacred by the true
American citizen for the purpose of ac-
oomplishing party ends; and it is to be
hoped that the people will rebuke the
shameful attempt as it de serves, before
American political affairs become the
laughing stock Of the world,
In no previous election has there ever
been seen Il spectacle to equal that be-
ing enacted by the republican managers
in New York. While many criminals
and outlaws of various types have been
employed for evil purposes in elections,
it has usually been done on the quiet and
it remained for Benjamin Harrison's
managers to hire the king Of all political
thugs, and bring him to New York in
this campaign to perform a task exactly
suited to his character and experience.
The country will remember this conduct
on the part of Benjamin Harrison longer
than it will remember any thing else he
has done. because it is an insult which
every citizen of New York feels directly,
and which is reflected upon every citizen
Of the nation.
On the other hand. we have the demo
cratic party with an honest and straight
forward man as its candidate; ii man
who has convictions and the courage of
them: a man who is determined if
elected to do all he can to reform the
policies of the country, and who Is en-
tirely free from any obligation to indi-
viduals or corporations. On the election
Of the democratic ticket rests the hope
OF the American people, and if by brib-
cry and fraud the people should be de-
feated in this campaign it will be a sorry
day for the republic and conditions may
arise in the next four years which will
menace it's very existence. But there is
scarcely a doubt that a sweeping demo.
cratic victory is already assured. 1t is
only necessary that every true and hon
est citizen shall see that his name is on
the registration books and that he will
vote right on election day. If this is
done a results assured which will be
for tire interest of every individual in the
nation and therefore must be to the adj
vantage of the country at large. A vote
for Cleveland is a vote for true Ameri-
canism and for a return from the arts.
~tocratic tendencies of the times to the
early principles Of the republics found
ers.
We regret to note the suspension of
that excellent DaDer. the New York HI