Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-26
----------- $1,000
The Mckinley Platform.

We have recently given 10 our readers
what we styled the platform OF
Senator Hlll, and also what we
styled the platform Of President
Cleyeland-particularly on the ques.
ton Of tariff revision. These gentlemen
may not be in 1896 the leading candidates
for the nomination OF the Democratic
party for President Of tho United States;
and then. again. they may be. We re-
gard this as a possible outcome Of the
existing condition OF things though we
do not lose sight OF the facts-first, that
Mr. Cleveland will have served two terms
when the current ono shall have run
out: and second. that his opponents in
ths Republican party already boast that
no was slaughtered week before last
and will never again appear on presi-
Dental race-track: and third, that Mr.
IInl committed one OF those blunders
which ara worse than crimes when he
became a willing party TO certain recent
proceedings Of the Tammany leaders, and
thus stands at present in a bad light be-
fore the public.
But whether Hi and Cleveland have
been shelved or not, Mckinley has been
strengthened very greatly by the results
Of the late elections, particularly those
in Ohio. In fact, the Republicans are not
rich In presidential timber Just now. John
sherman is too old. Reed, OF Maine, is
too much of political light-wood knot.
Ex-President Harrison will surely be
whstled down the wind as having no
further claims upon tho country because
Of his grandfather's hat. And so all the
way through tbs list OF possible Repub-
lican nominees. Mckinley heads the list.
As the author OF the Mckinley law and
its defender and advocate all over Ohio
pending the recent elections, he stands
forth as Identified thoroughly and unmis-
takably with the doctrine Of protection
to American labor and American inter
ests; or, as Mr.. Halstead's paper phrases
it, the doctrine that American working
men must be paid American prices for
American work. This fact alone places
him, for the present. at least, a head and
shoulders above any of his possible com
petltors for the Republican nomination.
As II they knew beforehand what would
be the results of the last elections,
The Republicans OF Ohio reported in full
and published in pamphlet form, with
paper covers C'true blue'). Governor Nc
Kinlsy's great speech at Dayton a few
days before the election October 2Gth).
We can understand how such q speech
might fire the northern heart even at
this late day. Possibly It was intended
only 10 be the last shot fred in the gu
bcrnatorial BATHS, but It reads as II 81
had been prepared in view OF Mckinley
possible nomination for President in 1896
and TO let the whole North know where
he intended to place his troops In line
u battle. This speech is on 'Finance,
Tariff, and Pensions" and Ia entitled a
Review Of those Great Public CUES
lions" In treating Of pensions. Governor
Mckinley made sectional appeals which
might have been permissible twenty
years ago, but which are entirely out Of
place now. They indicate. we are sorry
10 have 10 say, that the North, as repre-
scented by Governor Mckinley, knows It's
numerical superiority to the South. as
shown by the census reports. and would
not object to dividing the voters In 1896
on sectional lines.
WIN It be said that we ara counting
McKinley's chickens before they are
hatched7 Leok at tina facts. Mr. Til
lens election as Governor Of New York
mada him tho Democratic nominee for
President In 1875. For like reason Mr.
hayes was In the same year nominated
by the Republicans. Mr.. Cleyeland's cleo
ton al Governor Of New York made him
the Democratic nominee for President in
1884. Mr.. Harrison's election as Governor
Of Indiana made him the Republican
nominee for President in 1881 SO we con-
clude that Mckinley Is In tho line Of
safe presidents" az the phrase used to
DO when the Secretary Of State OF one
administration was expected to become
head OF the next administration.