The herald., 1893-06-09
A CHALLENGE TO THK COMMON SENSE
OF THR COUNTRY.

1t was of course to be expected that
the Republicans would renominate Nc
Kinley for governor of Ohio. Tho per-
eonal popularity of this gentleman
would have incurred that result in any
case. Individually nothing can be said
against William Mckinley. He is one
Of the most charming men who have
figured in public life OF late years. OF
agreeable presence and gracious man
ners, he recalls no one 80 much to our
recollection as George II. Pendleton, OF
the Democratic psrty--"Gentleman
George"--of his own Buckeye etate.
But there is far more than personal
compliment involved in the nomination
Of Mckinley. Itisquite plainly indicated
that, as fer 80 the people OF Ohio can
bring that result about, Mr.. Mckinley is
to be showed to the front as the Repub-
lioan candidate for President, on plat.
form of rank McKinleyism.
Waving the result in Ohio--and it
will be hard to beat Mckinley in his
own state, which Is ordinarily more In
tensely Republican than Massachusetts
even--the Democrats could not desire a
better platform or better exponent of
it's tenets. With McKinleyism as the
issue in the next presidential election
he would be a sanguine Republican in
deed who would look forward to the sue
cess of his party. Benjamin Harrison
even, maugre his age and peculiaritiea
OF Temperament, would make far
stronger candidate.
No one who has kept himself informed
of the course Of public sentiment can
have the slightest doubt of the fact that
it WAS the enactment of the Mckinley
bill that defeated the Republican party
at the last presidential election, and
this after allowing for the exceptional
personal popularity OF both Cleveland
and Stevenson. To challenge the issue
again on the same lines Ia for the Re-
publicans to court defeat in advance,
and is equivalent to what theologians
call judicial blindness.
What were the facts which made the
Mckinley bill go markedly distssteful to I
tho people of the United States? Dur
ing the war specially high tariff was
enacted sa was natural under the cir
cumetances, the government requiring
enormous sums Of money to meet the
exhaustive financial drain. But, in the
wantonness of their unchecked power,
the Republican party passed still
higher tariff after the close OF the war.
They did this months after Lees army
had surrendered at Appomattox Court
House.
1t was always felt by the great major
ity OF Americans, irrespective of their
political affiliations, that this last tariff
act'was "crowiing the mourners." So
strong WAS this sentiment that presi-
dent Arthur appointed commission of
leading Republicans. OF whom Harry w.
Oliver. weli-known iron baron Of r-itts-
burg was chairman, to report upon the
expediency of lowering the tariff. To
the laating honor OF these gentlemen,
they reported unanimously that materi-
al reductions in the tariff, particularly
on iron and steel, were Advisable.
Congress, however, did nothing in the
matter; and, under the operations of
this excessive post war tariG-incor-
rectly called the war tariff by the New
York World and other Democratic jour
nals--the surplus began to pile up in
the treasury like Pelion upon Oasa,
draining the country of it's ready money
and nearly resulting in a panic in the
later summer OF 1887. This resulted in
Mr.. Cleveland's celebrated free wool and
free raw material message OF that year.
In all probability that message caused
Mr.. Cleveland'a defeat for reelection.
The people had not had time to con-
cider it fully, and a campaign of educa-
ton is long and slow.
There is no question, however, but
that an immense majority OF the people
of the United States expected Hone
sensible and moderate legislation from
the ffty-irst ongress-something in the
line of the recommendations of President
Arthur's ommiseion-instead OF the
wild and absurd access and excess of
McNinleyism run mad. II the fifty-frst
congress had had q little common sense
and little moderation, we should prob
ably still be struggling along under a
Republican administration. 1t was an
other and convincing illustration OF
the force OF the old saw, "Whom the
Gods would destroy they fret make
mad"
1t is a curious instance of the weak
ness and the entirely Fictitious char
acter of McKinleyism ss political
factor that the Republicans seemed to
have placed their whole reliance upon
tin-tin and tin plate and tin cans-for
bringing the American people to real
izing sense of the blessings of Mckinley
ism. And what broken reed that was
Tin seems to have as completely disap-
peared from any account render OF oui
national resources as last years crop ol
mushrooms.
Come on with Ohio's "Sweet William p
No other man could ill the role of Re
publican champion with more unalloyec
satisfaction to the great unterri6ed.
-
, Mrs. FRANK LEsME's application fol
divorce from her husband, VIM. G
, VUslSa o~;ko+;yo e0o;akx