West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1893-05-18
POEifleall - s.
: sseGzsRgasGaeg
INTERESTING ARTICLE ON THE
GREAT ISSUES OF THE
LAST CAMPAIGN.
EDITOR ARGUS ::

Teauers some OF tno causes OF the
Republican defeat, if you will be
kind enough to gito tho space in
your noblo paper,
The defeat OF tho Republican, par
ty in 1892 camc like rain storm in
harvest in Palestine. IL was like
tho breaking of an unseen thunder
cloud in clear sky on the Ameri-
can continent. 1t was like tho
belching forth OF volcano which
had had only one eruption IN thirty
two years.
When Grover Cleveland was for
the second time inaugurated prcsi-
dent of the United States OF Amer
ica, to somo 1t may be u curious and
interesting study to trace the
strange combination of causes which
led to the elevation of Mr.. Cleve-
land and deposition of Mr.. Harrison.
Tho review may bo of some service
to the country, especially ollice-
seekers and oflicc-holdcrs.
u.) THE SILVER QUESTION.
This was an important factor in the
defeat. The silver men severely felt
the evil effects of the demon -etiza-
tisn of the precious metal. Their
protests were unheeded. Many
other persons in the country had at
last come to see and feel the injus-A
tice Of this measure. The forcing
of specie payment in 1880 to 1885
had, in its ultimate consequence,
ruined thousands Of persons, and
depteciatcd real and personal prop.
erty one half in value. 1t had
doubled the purchasing power Of
money-sthoso who had bought land
at $50 and 800 per acre, involving
themselves in debt, could not pay
those debts whom land fell to $40
and 500 per acre, and all produce
came down in proportion. Then
they could not legally pay but IS at
ut one time of those debts in silver,
and to add TO this misery, they
could not get silver even to meet
their smaller claims since the Gov
erument refused to coin that pre-
cious metal in sufficient quantities.
And it Was we'll known that Presl-
dent Benjamin Harrison would not
sign Silver Bill, il passed by Con.
grcss. Appeals and protests were
in vain. The gold dogs held the
sway. They undertook to buy up
the county, but for once they fail
ed. There wasn't gold enough TO 90
round. They knew they had siltef
enough to do this, but there we're
two or three difficulties in the way:
Tho silver was in the hands Of the
people. Its abundant coinage would
deprcciate tho purchasing power OF
what money they now possessed.
Tho coinage OF silver in more
abundant measure would give tho
populace of the country a financial
advantage they did not now possess.
SO the Money Kings chose their
Swn interest instead OF that Of tho
public. The silver mon reyolted.
(u.) RECOSsTRUC1IoN
1t is well known that in all the
Southeastern States recently in re-
bcllion there is no Republican form
Of Government. They afe all arr
stocracies--in which the privileged
few do tire votiug and ruling. In
the campaign and inauguration OF
1sS9-9O, great display was made Of
a remedy for tho evil. but when the
administration got dowA in It's chair
scarcely nothing was heard Of the
iujusticcs done TO Southern citizens
1.-The Aristocraoies wont on undis.
tvrbed. All confidence in that d..
rcotiort Vas lost in the administra-
ton. The party in power seemed
TO have no remedy for the crying
evil. To be aH American citizen IN
the Southeastern States was an
empty thidg useless, the color Of
yeur skin and your political souti.
ments suited tho Feigning classes.
a party that could not fntelBgently
deal with this issue was counted
unworthy Of public confidence and
vent by default.
GL) JANIS q. BLAINE.
II was expected by mahy that
James G.. Blaine wools run in 1892
and that he would be elected bv nm