The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-11-13
THE CAUSES OF DEFEAT.
The Administration View of the Dis
aster-Delay in Tariff Reform and
the Free Siver Agitation Are Held
RespOnSible,
Special to the Atlanta journal.


the Free silver Agitation Are Held
Responsible.
Special to the Atlanta journal.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. From
the latest and most authentic informa-
tion, the Republicans have made a
clean sweep of the Congressional dis
tricts of the country. Later returns
may reduce some of their claims, but
the indications Enthusiastically point to
a safe majority of so over both Demo-
Gratis and Populists.
The Indications at this writing are
that the Republicans may organize the
Senate. The latest advices are that
they have gained three Democratic
seats sure from Kansas, West Virginia
and New Jersey, and have held all OF
their doubtful seats. With Jones,
Stewart and PETER, who lean to Re-
publicanism, they will probably con-
troll 46 votes.
The sovereign American has made
1T necessary for new word to be coin
ed. Landslide, typhoon, tornado, cy-
clone all seem insu tficient' to describe
the result of this election from Demo
cratic standpoint.
All previous records are smashed.
So complete reversal is unprece-
dented in the political history OF this
country. Even the oldest Democratic
lnhabitant does not remember so cold
day. Every Democrat has his own
pet theory as to what did it.
Iu New York city it was contest of
dry goods VS.. green goods, with the
former very properly the winner. The
Tammany milestone of blackmail,
bribery and corruption put q yoke
around the neck of Hill, which made
his Waterloo almost as complete as
that of Folger.
While local causes may have had
their effect here and there, the general
story OF unprecedented disaster which
flowed in from every section of the
country left no doubt in the minds of
those who are able to Interpret politi-
cal figures that the selling against the
dominant party was deep-seated, reso-
lutte and determined.
Hinlsight Is better than foresight.
and many Democrats admit today that
yesterdays catachysm was the logical
result of the dilly-dallying, hesitating
course of Congress on the great vital
issue upon which Mr.. Cleveland and
the party were swept to victory two
years ago. Disgust and shame were
engendered all over the country by the
manner in which the cause of tariff re-
form was blocked, embarrassed and
emasculated in the house of its friends.
The traitors in the Senate who cram
med the German bill down the throat
OF the House against the noble protest
of Mr.. Cleveland and all true friends
OF tariff reform, discouraged and dis
heartened those who had hoped for
the legitimate fruits of Democratic
victory
The senseless Democratic trucking
to Populism and it's insane theories of
finance shocked and frightened busi-
ness men everywhere and destroyed
the good effects of the repeal of the
Sherman law. to which the President
directed the efforts of his party upon
his accession to power. The continued
agitation to this silver question un-
doubtedly contributed to the over
whelming defeat, and aggravated the
disquietude of business interests which
resulted from the long wrangle over
the tariff.
This was manifest from the result in
Ohio, where the silver question was
pushed TO the front by the chairman of
the Democratic party with the conse.
gressional delegation and the defeat of
the Democratic State ticket by l25, 900,
p greater majority than was given
against Clement ID. Vallandingham
when he was an exile from the State
and the Republicans voted 200, 900
Union soldiers in the field.
The less of Populism also in every
State where 1t has shown it's head can
also be attributed to this same general
reaction against false and pernicious
theories OF finance. They only secured
a few members of Congress. and two of
the present Populistic Governors,
Waite, of Colorado, and Llewelling, OF
Kansas, went down before the wrath of
the indignant people.
Besides, an important factor in the
result was the persistent attack upon
The administration by u crowd of Phil.
listines in the Democratic party who
placed pelf above principles and offices
above party. This horde of disap-
pointed oftice-seekers and ex-protec
tionists fought those In power with
more violence than they did the Re-
publicans. Their hands were ALWAYS
on their daggers, and like the con
spirators of ancient Rome, they were
determined to stab Cesar to death
though the republic fell.
All these things have played their
part, and the Democracy has learned
Its lesson. If 1t would regain its pres.
ttge with the people, it must shake of
the trappings of Populism, be true to
Its principles and its chosen leaders.
Not q Democrat in the North OF ma.
tionai prominence except VIM. l.. Hol-
man has been returned. Wilson, Sprin,
ger, Rynum, Cummings, Tom Johnson,
Onthwaite, Tracey, Sickles, Sibley
/ PipOtt and Snarrv have e,nra dn,y,,