Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-11-17
The Triumph Of Public Opinion.
From Harner's Weekly

The repeal OF the silver purchase act is
among the most remarkable and brilliant
triumphs in our history OF the greatest
force in American politics. This force is
the intelligent public opinion of the
country 1t has frequently been observed
by foreigners that public opinion in this
country is singularly unsettled and
freakish concerning economic subjects.
This is only apparently so. 10 ordinary
times, when the country IS measursbly
prosperous, the majority of the people
take bat languid interest in questions
offna1ce and taxation, because, doing
well on the whole, they are inclined to
avoid unnecessary anxiety, and to let
things DRIFT. But when economic dificl-
ties and troubles appear, either local or
general, the American mind begins to
stir, and to bring forth theories and
schemes which, especially when they
proceed from persons untutored in econo
mic science, are not seldom fsntastlcal,
and, if they gain any popular strength,
iraught with mischief. AS soon as such
troubles and difficulties become critical
and press for speedy solution, the pop
ular mind begins to think seriously. and
its natural soundness soon asserts itself.
Thus we have within the memory of the
present generation passed through several
"crazes," which sweeping the cewardly
politicians Into their current, seemed for
time to be almost irresistibly hurrying
the country into senseless and most
perilous experiments. But whenever the
time came for 1al decision, the tenn
pOrary intatuation was always overcome
by the common-.e nse aud honesty of
the people, and sound reason prevailed.
So it was with the rredeemable paper
money craze nearly twenty years ago
and so it is with the silver craze now.
The silver craze was indeed the more
dangerous OF the two, because in some
respect 1t was more plausible, and had
strong, well-organzed, and desperately
determined financial fvrce behind it. A
great business crisis, keenly felt in al
pats Of the land, was required to break
its force but when that terrible object
lesson came, the intelligent pubic opinion
of the country put forth its full power
and the doom of the silver movement wa
sealed.
If there is any single man Issuing from
this struggle with great honor, it Is
President Cleveland Ard this honorable
distinction is due solely to the fact that h'
stood there IN his high position the very
embodimeu: of public opinion, resolut'
and unbeading. Bat be toe should draw
a lesson from this great event, and heal
1t well in mind With the power of public
OPINION he could carry this measure
/ through Congress. Without the pov
of public opinion lie would never have
accomplished it By mere political man
agement and the use Of the patronage
But with the power of public opinion
behind him, political management and
the use of the patronage were entirely
unnecessary. Senators and Represen
tatives who voted for repeal did so either
from conviction or because the Will Of The
people compelled them to do 50. They
needed no bribing to do what they bad tC
recognize as necessary FOX their Owl
political salvation. The President RAJ
been charged with using the patronage o.
the government to push the repeal bill
through Congress. We shall be glad tc
believe this charge unfounded. But II II
is founded 10 fact, then he has prostitnt-
ed his high Office for nothing. And the
consequences of this evil deed will never
cease to plague Lin. When public
opinion prcnounces itself less strongly on
his side, he will heBceforth find the
"striker" in his path, and have to pay
with plumber for every measure be wishes
Congress to adopt.
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