The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-05-31
SUBSTANCE, NOT SHADOWS.

1t is certainly amusing to read the
expressions of opinion in Republican
journals as to the causes of the in
crease in business activity and pros
perity all over the country. Our
friends, the enemy, certainly deserve
credit for their ingenuity in turning
events to their own interest. During
the last two years of Harrison's ad
ministration, when hard times began
to squeeze the people, it is true that
the tide was too strong even for the
astute leaders of that party, but when
Cleveland was inaugurated and trade
did not Immediately improve, the Re-
publican leaders came jubilantly to
the front and shouted with loud ac-
claim 1--WE told you So" Even as
soon as it was known that the Demo
Gratis were successful at the election,
they were held to be responsible for
all the evils that had overspread the
country, the Republicans claiming
these troubles were brought about by
fear of what the Democrats might do.
Now, when the first effects of Demo
cratic measures are beginning to be
felt and business is reviving in all
branches, the Republicans are COM
PEELED to change their base and &C
count for this growing prosperity ad-
versely TO the Democrats, and they
contend that the renewed life in all
kinds of business is altogether owing
to the Republican successes at last
falls election.
Can it be possible that the American
people are more afraid of a shadow
than they are of the substance? Did
the shadow of what Democratic success
might do paralyze the country with
depression, even before the election
of President Cleveland? Did the ap-
partition of the golden blessings which
are to follow the advent of the Re-
publicans to power cause the renewed
business life which is coming on even
more rapidly than the tardy spring?
And do all these shadows enable the
manufacturers to advance the wages
of their employees? Do they help
them to sell more goods? Do they en-
nance the prices of farm products2-
And finally, do shadows carry with
them gold, silver and merchandise to
enrich the people?
We unfortunately have at the pre-
sent time gold party and silver
party, and it seems not inappropriate
to say we have brass party. 1t GER
tainly requires braZen cheek for Re-
publican journals to claim, as they
are doing, that their barren victory of
last fall can be in any way connected
with the change in the business affairs
of the country.
1t will be two years before any pos
sible change can be made in the laws
of our country to suit Republican
principles. In order to do it then the
Republicans will have to elect Pres-
dent and new Congress. 1t is as
Stunning great deal to say that they
will do this as nothing is more uncer-
tain than politics.
1t is not at all likely that business
men are giving two years credit to the
of what Republicans might
do in case of uncertain success in 1897.
1t is much more probable that they
will compare their growing prosperity
under the Democratic tariff with the
terrible period of stagnation which
followed the enactment of the McKin-
ley bill and vote for restoration to
complete power of that party which
has brought forth good fruits.
We are living under a Democratic
tariff law which is just beginning to
make its good effects felt, and times
are daily growing better. This is the
substance of it, and visions and sha-
dows called up by those Republican
seers have nothing to do with it.