The National tribune., 1892-11-10
THE ELECTION.

Grover Cleveland.
This result is against the very reason o.
things and was wholly unexpected by al
who work and strive for the country's
greatest good and look forward confidently
to that happy consummation.
There was every reason why Harrison
should have been given an overwhelming
majority. There was none why Cleveland
should have been preferred to him.
In our whole history there have been few
Administrations equaling in general excel
lence that given the country by Gen. HRrri-
son. Himself the highest type of American
manhood, he surrounded himself with men
of like character, and the conduct of public
affairs was upon the most elevated plane.
Ability, integrity and patriotism ruled every
where. Our foreign policy was dignifed
and forceful; our internal policy honest and
able. Nowhere was there breath of scam
dal, either as to dishonesty or incapacity.
The laws passed were such as the country
needed, and s&lutary operation justified the
wisdom of their conception and framing.
The country was wonderfully prosperous,
and the continuation of the Administration
seemed to be the best guaranty of the con-
tinuation of that prosperity.
These were the reasons which to thinking
men seemed sufficient to insure the re-
election of President Harrison.
The forces against them were:
/. A solid mass of one-third of the total
number of electoral votes held in opposition
by the relentless tyranny of the shotgun
and rufian's lash.
2. The corruption and fraud of the politi-
cal systems of great cities, which could poll
practically Gmitless numbers of votes in OPP
position.
g. Criminal apathy among those who
were enjoying the prosperity secured to
them by the wise administration of public
affairs. and expected that prosperity would
be continued without any effort on their
part to maintain it.
4. Dissatisfaction in several States over
purely local issues. such as school and tax
laws
5. Discussions among party leaders, aris-
ing from disappointed political hopes and
desire for change merely for changes sake
in that considerable percentage Of the vot-
ing population which is always ready to
turn one Administration out and put
another in, Just to see what the new one
Will do. Hope always whispers a fattering
tale to those men that any change may be
for their benefit.
Starting with one-third of the electoral
votes held infexibiy in opposition, these
forces have added enough votes to make the
more than one-balf required to elect Mr..
Cleveland. With the handicap of the solid
South it required the energetic and united
action of the best elements in the other Sec
tions of the country to secure victory.
The result is simply deplorable. The
best we can hope for is that Mr.. Cleveland,
and those who have gained power with him,
will not do so badly as they have given
reason to fear. The responsibility of COM
plete power may sober them into better
thinking and acting. To carry out the pro-
gram outlined upon the stump and in the
papers by their supporters, will cause q
revulsion in the country which will over
whelm them with merited disaster.
The best we can hope for 10 that they will
be content with the enjoyment of the offices
and patronage, and realizing the benefits to
the country flowing from tho policy Of the
present Administration, wisely decide to let
it continue without sensible alteration.
LATE THIS WEEK.
We have delayed going TO press with this
vsekts iasue of Tpr National Tprpurv