Fair play., 1893-05-27

with unusual interest. and that 1t was
confidently relied upon by the more
hopeful members of the republican par
tv to set in motion, not merely the par
ty machinery, but the forces which
should inspire and direct the next re-
publican campaign. The roll was not
only to he called and the lines re-
dressed, but the clarion keynote" was
I to be sounded. under which the next
battle was to be fought and the last
defeat retrieved. -...-.--..-... ..-
What was the result?
[ The boys" met and had good time.
They elected officers and made speeches
-good-natured, conventional speeches,
/ Just such as we usually hear when a
lot of good fellows get together and
have nothing to do but elect otiiccr,,
and make speeches. The only careful
ly prepared address. and the one from
which most had been expected. was
that Of President GARRISON. which, as a
party shibboleth, fell dead from his
lips. 1t was significant that the one is
sue to which Mr.. Clarllsnn gave most
conspicuous place in his address and
wv hieh WAS nearest his heart, the race
question as a political question, is now
clearly obsolete, and has been so pro-
nounced not only by overwhelming
verdicts of the people but has been So
acknowledged by the republican party
itself Aside from this Mr. ClarFson
suggested nothing in his address which
is not acceptable to democrats or which
&c ,>f.
ial import or of such crratic nature
that no party. outside perhaps of the
populists. would dwaddlc with it as a
national issue.
The democrats would be very willing
to have Mr.. Clark son race and agrarian
issues adopted as the next republican
platform, but the, address, after all,
was nothing more than u catalogue of
Mr. Ciarkson's personal opinions Its
suggestions wercignored in the resolu-
tions adopted by the convention. which
must be accepted as its only authorized
expression.
Let us search these for a national
keynote"
Re fcrring to the republican platform
of last year. they declare in favor of
the establishment of Il system of arbi-
tration for adjusting the differences
that may arise between capital and
labor. Nobody objects to arbitration.
if capital and labor want it. but whether
the government is to take it in hand
and enforce it is II matter which the re-
puhlicans are at liberty to make a
national political question if they
choose.
They declare faith in the secret bal
lot. No national issue can he made of
this. for the democrats have done more
than the republicans to establish this
ba lot. and will cooperate with them
and all other parties to maintain it.
One term for the president is urged.
No national issue can hc made Of this.
fer there are as many democrats Is re-
publicans who favor the restriction.
The Monroe doctrine is rcailirmcd. No
democrats the doctrine, and all
democrats will tight,if necessary, to en-
force it. ssSsA ( s
This leaves two other questions which
our friends propose to make great ns
tional issues, upon which the hopes of
the crepublican party must rest Cor fu
turc success. These are option dealing
and woman suffrage.
The democrats have never been fool
is}l enough to commit themselves to
anti-option. The republicans are wei
come to it. As for woman suffrage the
democrats will not favor giving the
ballot to woman until she wants it.
How do the repu biicans Of the coun-
try like these ringing keynotes? Has
it come to pass that once great party,
which has done so much To shape the
history of the country, is now reduced
to the.issues Of anti-option and woman
suffrage? Are these the momcntous
questions upon which. according to the
remarks of President
Tracy. the republican party is t. go
marching down the ages, gathering
honor and glory with each
succeeding year"
The truth is. that this convention has
in 4 most significant manner
that the republican party has accom-
plished its mission. 1t may continue to
live awhile in name. but it will only be
in name. atfording another illustration
of putting new wine. and wine alto
gether different from the trademark
brand. in old bottles.-Louisyille Cour-
ier-Journal
"A republican journal of some I'M
portance. commenting on the recent
furry in Wall street. remarks: Every
body has had SIX months warning that
the democratic financial policy. when
ever made known. might cause trouble"
Yet it was just six months ago, when
this warming is said to have been given. /
that the people of the tTnited states put :
the democratic party in power in con-
rresS and in the presidency by a ma ior-
ity 50 large that il almost seemed that !
everybody disregar,led the warn /
ing. Queer people. these Americans. |
N. Y. Times |
There seems to be u good deal of
toubt about j. :. Clarllson being the /.
man who is to rehat,jlitate the repub- !
lican party. That curious organization /
began its descent of the toboggan slide /
at about the time that the aforesaid /