Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-11-18
SOME LESSONS or TIE ELECTION.

The pronounced victory OF the Demo
cratic party in the late Presidential election
is scarcely more surprising than the multi
tude oil reasons assigned for it in various
quarters Earnest Democrats-those, espe.
cally, who had labored for Mr.. Cleveland's
neutrality-suspicious. no doubts of the
result, and were prepared TO see some of
the hitherto Republican States change their |
votes; but the overwhelming majority OBJ.
tanned is genuine surprise, and specula-
ton is, in the main, idle until the figures of |
the popular vote are obtainable and com
parison can be made with former elections |
Beyond all doubt, however, we may ascribe
the victory principally TO the sincere and |
straightforward declarations of the Demo-
cratic platform and to Mr.. Cleveland's per
sonal and political character, and from these
prominent factors in the result it Is not diff.
ficut, even at this early date, To draw some
lessons of the election.
The first and most far reaching one, if it is
properly needed, is the proof 1t furnishes of
the power of the people at the primary cleo
tons. In the contest just ended, as never
before In the history Of American politics,
the people forced upon reluctant politicians
the man whom they desired as the Demo.
cratic standard bearer. There was a quiet
determination in their demeanor prior TO
the Chicago convention which the most
reckless OF politicians dared not trfle with,
and the same determination was manifest
tha
result ought TO encourage the people to at.
tend at all times the primary elections.
These are the sources of political power,
and one OF the most depressing signs of the
lines has been the Discrimination of the bet.
tor clements Of the community 10 partic.
pate in their deliberations There has been
clear failure of duty in this particular, and
1t is to be hoped that the people, having
oace asserted themselves, will continue, in
both State and Federal affairs, TO give TO
these primary assemblies the intelligent per-
sonal attention which in this instance has
bsen SO potent, and always will be when
properly bestowed.
IL has been demonstrated also that given
the people. In a time of Indifference, when
insincere and half hearted platforms disgust
men of genuine patriotism and candidates
of questionable political character are nom
mated as the opponents of party principles
money may be able to turn the scale if con
centrated in localities where sentiment is
evenly divided. But when, "a in this con
test, parties stand squarely for conflicting
policies, and fundamental issues like the
force bill are before the people, and a can
didate like Mr.. Cleveland says "Let us tell
the people what we think" the great re
serve vote Of the country is aroused into
activity, and all the money of all the tariff
barons in the land could not change the re-
suit. Party managers may learn from this
election that they have only TO be true 10
the people to secure their earnest and loyal
support, and that the lavish use of money
in the purchase OF votes is waste OF means
as well as a source Of untold worry and
sickening decentralization.
These are healthy lessons, both for the
people and the politicians. They seem to
point to better public sentiment and to a |
more careful administration of national |
affairs. Fortunately, the man just elected |
to the Presidency is one who has been tried
and whose service was all that honest en-.
deavor could make it, He will realize that |
the magnitude of the victory achieved un-
der his leadership is but the expression of |
the public confidence in his ability and in,
tegri;y, and imposes upon him a graver re
sponsibility than II he had won by bare
majority. There need be no fear that he
will fail to measure up To the just expecta
tons of his fellow citizens. He will strive
for the common good of all the people, and
under his wise rule the country will take a
new lease of prosperity, and party govern
ment will be lifted from all that tends To de
grade and corrupt people