The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-12-01
Reflections on the Recent Elections.

they have not gone unnoticed by the press
of the country, seems to me to have been
given less prominence than they deserve.
One of these is the good nature of the
campaign, and also the good nature even
after the result had been achieved. What
contrast with the Grant and Greeley
campaign of twenty years ago, when there
was nothing too bad to be said, nothing
too ridiculous to be pictured of the candi-
dates by the opposing parties; though
those two candidates were unquestiona5ly
honest men, and had in two different
fields rendered their country services as
distinguished and beneficial as any of the
greatest of its citizens since the landing of
the Caucasian race upon this continent.
The press and the orators in our recent
campaign have said no i'll word that has
come under my observation, personally, of
MI Harrison or of MI. Cleveland. The
same appears to have been true of the
people In the thirty meetings which adj
dressed in New York-meetings more
largely attended than | had ever seen be-
fore and in almost all cases attended by
many Democrats-there was the most
earnest interest manifested, the most ur-
gent calls for full discussions, and the
most candid and tolerant disposition man
Tested by those of the opposing party
that have ever known.
1t was an earnest, sober interest in the
subject under discussion, and not de-
sire to be delighted by spectacle of skill
full stone thowing at the glass houses of
the opposing candidates which the peo-
pie evidently desired and were glad to lis
ten to. And that condition obtained not
only DIS to the two candidates for Presi-
dent, but as to the State and county candi-
versal except in a few sporadic cases where
the rotten-egg thrower was a non COM
pos or a congenital mud-slinger. This is as
every good citizen of all parties wishes
it to be. Is it a proof of permanent re-
form in the character of political cam
paigns in our country9 Let us hope so.
There is no more serious duty to be per-
formed by a citizen of republic than his
political duty. To embody wise and
right principles in legislation is all Of good
that Legislators can do, in their official
capacity, for the welfare of the people
They will do in that respect what the peo-
pie elect them to do. Therefore. it be-
comes the highest prerogative and most
solemn responsibility of the voter to cast
personal abuse, as the Savior commanded
Satan, behind him, and support that party
and its candidates which most nearly
represents his convictions upon the impor-
tant issues before the country.
Ever since the election there has been a
degree of good nature on the part of both
parties hitherto unknown; though each
none the less adheres to its political prin-
ciples which have been triumphant OF de
feated for the present only. This is a
great gain. For the more respectable
the character Of American politics the
more active part will seif-respecting peo-
pie take in them.
Another thing for us all to rejoice at is
that the two great parties have clearly and
distinctly declared their positions upon the
paramount issues before the people. 1t
is a point gained when we know what we
are contending about For thirty-two
years we have been following, under Re
publican guidance. the economic policy of
the early statesmen of the Republic, the
the Adamses, Jefferson. Madison. Jack
son, and the others. A tariff for revenue.
50 levied as to encourage and protect the
industries and uphold the labor of our
country, was enacted immediately upon
the Republican party's first taking con
troll OF the national government. and has
been sustained 10y it ever since
At the same time the Southern States
rebeled, formed their constitution. and in
it reasscrted the doctrine of John G. Cal
houn, of a tariff for revenue only, which.
in common pallance throughout civilized
nations, is free trade. However attractive
to mere theorists the doctrine of Calhoun.
as expressed by himself in the Confeder-
ate Constitution OF in the platform of the
present Democratic party, it cannot be de-
MED that under the American system of
protection as supported by the Republi-
can party the wages of labor, the comfort
OF the people, the development of our re-
sources, the growth of our industries of all
kinds, have been unsurpassed by any coun-
try at any time within the limits of exist
ing history. But now, if the Democratic
party shall live up to its platform and
promises, this policy is soon to be changed
The Solid South, which appears to be
much more anxious for cheapness to the
consumer than to secure fair earnings to
the producer, with it's $50 electoral votes
and a few large cities of the North, have
given the control of national affairs to the
Democracy, who denounce protection and
declare for free trade The Mckinley bill,
if we can believe them. is to be repealed
and our American markets opened to un-
restricted competition by foreign nations