Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-11-01
Public Cet,sten.
y AKERS & HEWITT.
DEBORAH, IOWA, NOV. /, 1895.
THE ELECTION.

vi TUESDAY next the people of this
state will cast their votes, not only for
principles. 1t is true that there are
virtues in every party. There are a
great many good things set forth and a
number of good policies advocated by
every political organization that has
ever existed. The democratic platform
and ticket contain several good policies
and some good men. And due credit
is to be given to it for such virtues.
The populistic platform perhaps con-
tains some good principles, and good
men are upon its ticket The same
thing may also be said of the prohi-
bitionists, their platform and ticket.
The fact is simply this. 1t does not
follow that because a man belongs to
certain party that he is better or worse
than some other man who does not
happen to be a member of his party.
We are all Americans, living under
one government and one system of
laws. The starry emblem waves over
the heads of all of us regardless of what
party we may affiliate with.
But why this struggle for the
supremacy of parties? Why this I'M
ending contest for place at the HELM of
the ship of state? Why do men devote
their time and energy to laboring for
the success of their party? Is it for
mere success of political organization?
Is it for the mere purpose of getting
men INTO office? Or is it only the mere
exhibition of the inherent desire within
the breasts of men for triumph? Per-
haps it may be truly said that all of
the above elements contribute to the
active energy of the people in the
affairs of state. But it cannot be said
that they are as "a whole the controlling
force 1t is doubtless tenable to say
hat they are the animating force which
nerve some to political action.
But the great moving spirit of polit-
ical contest is principle. Stake the con-
test over certain principles out of your
annual campaigns and there would be
no perceptible commotion in the polit-
ical arena. 1t is the fact that there
are certain principles involved that
nerve men to action. This has been
the history of mankind. The human
race is grasping at the truth. Men
and women seek to walk through the
central arch of right Humanity looks
with unerring gaze at the polar star of
Justice. This is the reason there is con-
fiict in affairs. Who will deny that
this is blessing and not curse? Men
study and think. Political contests
gre only the result of thought--the
seeking for triumph Of one school of
thought over another or others.
Now, the republican party represents
a school of thought. Its school has
not only been taught but has been in
actual practice for many years in this
country and this state. 1t has been
successful Under it our country has
grown to enormous proportions. Our
wealth has multiplied wonderfully.
Our country has been prosperous be-
yond comprehension. Years of expert
ence has taught us that the republican
theories put in practice have been of
great good and assistance in developing
our wonderful resources. Now, as well
as before, it insists that the people give
credit for what it has done, and leaves
it to the sober and wise Judgment of
the people whether it shall be con-
tinued in power. 1t has derived its
existence from them and to them it
submits whether it shall continue in
power.
These are thoughts which occur to
us as we cast cursory chances toward
the day of voting, only a short time
hence. We believe the people are sat
isfied with the work of the republican
party. We believe that they will give
it their support on Tuesday next, and
we believe it will again triumph. 1t
has made mistakes, but the fact re-
mains uncontradicted that il is the
great American party-the party that
maintained the Union i'm war and pre-
served it i'm peace.
No MAGAZINE in the country has a
finer piece of pen-drawing than Chas.
A. Grays portrait of Gladstone in the
November Midland Monthly, of Des
Moines. Two full-page portraits of
beautiful women and about thirty pic
lures of gifted men and women make
an attractive feature of this popular
magazine. A full-page picture of the
beach at Ostend, the great European
seaside resort, attractive views in Brus-
sells, page from the diary of Sergeant
Floyd, Of the famous Lewis and Clark
expedition up the Missouri in 1904, add
further to the art features of this num-
er. The variety Of the Table of
Contents is striking. midland Wo-
men i'm California" will interestma
Newspaper Illustrating" with draw
'ings by Artist Grey. will interest many
others. Two War sketches, two pio-
neer sketches, five stories,-"TheT rag-
ic Trees" intense, and "The Rhyming
Robber," amusing,-rare bitsofpoetry,
uncommonly generous editorial DEPART