Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-11-29
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Two Ideas Contrasted.

Professor Wilson may be taken as
type of the party in power. Ex-Speaker
Reed Is fairly u representative of the party
which will be in power. Their latest
uttcrances exhibit the striking contrast
between the two men and the two parties.
Professor Wilson, referring to the defeat
of his party, says: Tho kick comes from
the heels OF the American people; there
was very little brains in it," Speaker
Reed says "Victorics bring responsible
tiles y If we have wisdom for two
years we shall be trusted for more"
Then Mr. Reed adds: "Ths country Is
largely in favor of the doctrine of Protec
ton. Everything shows this, and no man,
whose brains are not suffering from recent
conclusion with the heels, can think other
wise"
1t reflects no credit on the Democratic
party or its leaders when they say that the
recent defeat meant nothing in regard to
the tariff, or was the kick of heels without
brains That kind of criticism could be
made with infinitely more reason respect
ing the sudden and causeless change of
popular temper in 1893. After adhering
manfully and intelligently to the protec-
tive policy for 30 years, after realizing
from it the grandest progress ever seen in
any country or any age, and In an hour of
the highest prosperity ever attained by the
people of this or any other country, a
plurality of voters suddenly voted the
bread out of their own mouths. Less than
one years experience was enough. and In
1893 they began voting the other way with
both handr. The elections this year have
only made more emphatic their determin-
alton to return to the policy they sustained
so long, and under which they enjoyed
SO much prosperity. But Professor Will
son consoles himself with the notion that
there were little brains behind the kick.
Enough brains were there, at all events,
to distinguish between British theories
and American facts; enough 70 distinguish
between an average of $500 a year for
wages and an average of 800 year.
Like his party. Mr.. Wilson worships
theories so obstinatcly and blindly that he
cannot see when they are completely dis
proved by the experience of the nation.
or his excuses 1t Is not worth while to say
anything 1t is enough for the plain PEG
pie to know that they enjoyed in October,
1889. the largest business and the greatest
general prosperity they had ever known,
and that their prosperity began to vanish
with tho exports of gold which began
th,lt very month. The radical trouble
with the Democratic party is that it
fancies an ounce of British theory worth
moro than ton Of American experience
The people do not and they abolish rulers
who do. Ex-Speaker Reed exhibits the
true spirit of the Republican party in say
ing that ''lf it has wisdom 1t will be
trusted still more"
There speaks unfaltering trust in the in
telligence of the people, and that is the
quality which has made the Republican
party victorious. 1t has not feared to do
the right thing even in the face OF popu-
lar antagonism, because it has trusted
the sober second thought of the millions.
IL has not hesitated to save their inter
rsts, even against their prejudices and
passions, because 1t has been sure that
sooner or later they would recognize and
reward faithful service. 1t has fearlessly
disregarded the gust Of popular feeling
which sweep over the land from time to
time, relying upon the fidelity of the ma
ton to the convictions which it has held
for 80 years. But 1t does not fail to see
that wisdom in the application of its
principles will be demanded, and ought
to be, and that the people have intelli-
gence enough to know whether they are
wisely served
When Professor Wilson considers the
people jackass for kicking him out Of
place. he only shows that the people
knew quite well what they were doing
New York Tribune.