Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-02-25
Outlook for Republication.

cusses the question Of Republican le-
organization. Senator Dolph's paper
is an able and statesmanlike contri-
button to the political literature OF
the day. 1t points out, clearly and
cOncisely. the causes which led to Re-
publican defeat and the grounds for
believing that the Republican party
will regain national control in 1896.
Senator Dolph says:
Nor is the defeat IN my judgn ent justly
manageable to the protective tariff policy
or other policies OF the Republican party
The principles OF the party have not
changed since 1855. when they were in
dorsed by the people in the election of Mr.
Harrison. Neither can defeat be justly
attributed to the denomination Of Mr.. Har-
rison. Even his political opponents con-
cede his ability and the strength and
marked individuality of his administra-
ton, which has been conducted with fdel-
ifty to the principles OF his party and
which will pass into history as one of the
ablest, purest and most successful this
country has ever had. Whatever may be
their party Affiliations all Americans can
point with pride to President Harrison as
a typical American. The cause or defeat
lies deeper than any / have mentioned.
There is and has been for some time
throughout the entire country feeling of
discomfort, which has manifested itself In
many ways 1t defeated the Republican
party in 1884, overthrow the Cleveland adj
ministration in 1885, and again reversed
the popular verdict in 1892.
On March 4, 1893, the Government
of the United States for the first time
in thirty-two years will be controlled
in all its branches by the Democratic
party. The Republicans, freed from
the burdens and responsibilities Of
Office, will form vigilant and formi-
dable opposition. The representa-
tiVes of the party in Congress will at
tack and expose Democratic legisla-
ton which has for its object the pros
tration of American industry and the
diminution Of the rewards Of Ameri-
can labor. For the next two years,
at least, the free-trade forces in Con-
gress will be able to dictate all legis-
lation. The utmost that Republican
opposition can do is to demonstrate
before the public the real character
of the bills which will in all proba-
bility be masked under the guise Of
tariff reform" measures. When these
bills are once enacted they will con-
stitute Republicanism' most powerful
ally. The closing of factories, the
displacement Of American by foreign
goods, and the general reduction Of
wages, which the Democratic pro-
gramme render inevitable, cannot
fail to produce tremendous reaction
in popular sentiment in favor Of pro-
lection four years hence.
On the other hand, it will be equal
ly dangerous for the Democratic lead
ers to refuse to live up to the pledges
made in the Chicago platform. For
years Democratic newspapers and
Democratic orators in Congress and
on the stump have labored unceas-
ingly to create pronounced Senti-
ment in favor Of free trade among
the Democratic masses. They have
largely succeeded in their purpose,
and now they must bow to the preju-
dices and passions they have dill
gently fosteTed, or risk defeat at the
hands of the fanatics of their own
party. The Oregon Senator tersely
outlines the Democratic predicament
when he says:
1t is idle for the Democratic party to
seek TO evade the responsibility incident
TO its lease Of power or the consequences
of q practical test OF its principles Those
who have been made TO believe that pro-
tective tariff is a fraud and robbery of
the consumer will naturally demand speedy
relief from the alleged burdens imposed by
the present tariff laws The DEM
ocratic party will find that cowardfce and
lnaction will be as dangerous as fidelity to
Its principles, and that whatever policy 1t
pursues will lead 60 its discontinue and
the restoration OF the Repu blcan party to
power
Whatever form the proposed re.
organization OF the campaign meth
DDS of the Republican party shall
take, it is imperative that there shall
be no relaxation Of Republican prin-
ciples. Every genuine Republican
will agree with Senator Dolph in this
manful declaration:
Any party which can adopt new princi-
Piles TO meet every chance emergency, and
which has no higher aim than public plum
der. is not worthy TO receive, and cannot
hope long to retain, the support of that
portion of the country without which no
party can succeed.
The Republican party, welded to
truth. duty and patriotism, needs but to be
true to itself It needs no reorganization
which involves an abandonment OF its
principles or a change OF its purposes. In
any declaration of principles tie party
must 20 forward and not backward
A close study Of the complete cleo
ton returns, according to the New
York Press, shows how substantial
are the grounds. for the confidence
which Senator Dolph expresses The
free trade candidate was not merely
in minority Of nearly LOCO, 600 in
the popular vote; change of few
thousand votes in certain States
would have reelected President Har-
rison. Mr.. Cleveland will have 276
votes in the Electoral College. Presi-
dent Harrison will have 144 votes.
Gen. Weaver will have "a votes Yet
II the following comparatively slight
changes in the popular vote had
taken place the result of the election
would have been reversed:
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