The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-12-01
WILSON'S DEFEAT.

WILSON'S DEFEAT.
Hopelessly Of His Battle Against the
Money Power.
Democracy defers to one Of its
fundamental principles in bowling
to the will of the majority as ex-
pressed at the election. Yet 1t can
not but regard as a national calami-
ty the fact that Representative Will
son, of West Virginia, was buried
in the avalanch from which no part
of the country escaped. Even
though he remained as member
of the minority he would have
stood as an exponentof the tariff
views to which his party is commit
ted and guarded the country against
the dangers which accompany the
adoption oflultra protection theories
Waving any question as to the cor
rectness of his views, even his ene-
mics Will acknowledge him most
formidable champion of the cause
that he represents.
No one will question the sinceri-
ty of Mr.. Wilson or the honesty of
the purpose which actuates his
course toward the people. He is a
man of profound learning, and no
one can more forcibly express his
convictions. In the knowledge of
the tariff question most of those
who oppose him are mere tyros by
comparison. He is true patriot,
earnestly seeking that which he be-
lieves to be the best interests of
the entire nation, and his influence
could not but be healthy one,eve
upon an opposing majority. But it
was his virtue that brought about
his political overthrow. Because
of them the controlling powers of
the republican party determined
upon his defeat. He was a menace
to the trusts and monopolies that
are the beneficiaries of protection.
The triumph of his views meant the
deprivation of their legal authority
to plunder the masses by their cum
ningly devised system operated for
the ostensible purpose of paying
higher wages to labor and netting
greater profits to the farmer.
In seeking the accomplishment
of their purpose these representa-
tives of the money power left moth
ing undone. They concentrated
their forces for the defeat of Mr..
Wilson. Mckinley was sent to the
district, ex-President Harrison ap-
peared there on the stump and
scores of others who are regarded
as strong workers in their party
were engaged to assist in defeating
the leading personal representa-
tives of tariff reform. Money was
expended without stint and all the
devices known to the "practical"
politician were employed against
him. He was victim to the evils
which he sought te remedy, while
the consequences will fall mostheav
lily upon those for whom he sought
equitable legislation.
This is the fate of reformers who
come in conflict with those who
reap the fabulous profits of social
ed protection. Morrison led the
fght against them in 1884, and his
political career was suddenly cut
short. Mills gallantly took up the
battle in 1888, and though he was
representative from the state of
Texas, his defeat was brought
about at the next election, and only
by Intervention of the state legis-
lature which named him to the
senate was he preserved to the
councils of the nation. From these
facts some idea of the power exer-
cised by the trusts, combines and
monopolies can be gained, and they
will continue the controlling in
duence of the republican party un-
til their true measure is taken by
the people. Then they will appre-
ciate men like Wilson.-Detroit
Free Press.