The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-09-08
THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

New York Tribune.
Disgust is not generally long lived
The political outlook for this year is
somewhat modified by the fact that DEM
ocratic disgust was intense enough a
year ago to defeat that party in the
states where it mad for years held almost
unchal,enged sway. That trait of human
nature which leads many men to tolerate
after a time and at length to condone
the offenses tnat at first excite the un-
most wrath has to be reckon ed with this
year, as wei as the folly of some who
will accept ,revlving business as vindicat-
ing the tariff which Democrats were
kicked into passing. When an incendiary
is caught on the premises, and by dint
Of revolver shots, induced to vanish with
out finishing the destructive work, 1t Is
not usually reckoned a vindlcation of the
purposes and character of the scamp
If the property is mostly saved Men like
Professor Wilson in the house and SEN
tor Vest in the senate represented the
great Democratic majority in both houses,
which was not persuaded but simply
coerced into abandonment OF its incen-
diary work; and yet there are men stupid
enough to suppose the Democratic policy
entitled to credit for the results of its de-
feat
When to this foo1ishness there is added
the propensity cf men to forget their dis
gust with their own party, 1t seems likely
that maiorities this year may be smaller
than in 1894. The avalanche of that year
was In part due to the refusal of Demo-
Gratis Il vote at all, and of the inen who
could 'ift themselves no higher then
than a negative and silent protest against
the infamies and follies w their party.
some must be expected by this time to
have grown wondcous kind to its faults,
With better business and wages the sense
of indignation loses parS of its personal
stimulus But there are other causes
wAlch operate this year against the Dem
ocrats more effectively than in 1891.
One of these Is the surrender of the
treasury to 4 syndicate OF bankers, whose
price for saving the country from the
consequences OF Democratic stupidity has
not appeared small to the pain pe7p,e.
1t is very well for capitalists and bank
ers to eXtol the wisicm and skill OF the
RotAschb.ds and their associates, but it
VIII never be possible to persuade most
American voters that the government had
any business to pay $l2,0OO,OO0 more or
less, for pacing bonds which find eager
buyers today at over q per cent premium.
The fact that this thing was done by a
Democratic president while a Democratic
congress was in session, and was neither
storped nor hinde~ed by the majority,
win se.t.e the attitude Of many voters,
to the Democratic party for years to
ccmc; ana i1is cause CT offensa has not
only arisen srice the elections OF last fall
but has hoan cpt in mind by monetary
dls'usslors and by the recent outgo of
geld
1t is sufficiently epparent In Kentucky
Eat the Democrats are doomed to
heavy ,oss of votes whether they range
themselves with Harris Jones and Back
burn, or follow after Cleveland and Car
lisle, Attempts to find middle ground
OF union in Kentucky have failed ana
the abiest Democrats expect their ticket
to be sadly besten in that state, but
In o,Aer Western and Southern States
the Same differences exist and are produc-
ing similar effects The seizure OF the
Democratic machinery in some states by
silver extremists repe.s thousands who
believe in sound money. The. success OF
the administration and the otilce-ho,ders
In capturing conventions in other states
drives thousands over to the Populsts
II is not possible to say how far the
may go, and, as Is usual
in such cases. many may threaten who
will in the end be drawn by party feel |
ing to submit, but loss of many thous- |
and votes to the Democrats on this ac-
count appears at present inevitable.
Last years elections were great sur |
prise, even to the vlctors, for they had
not anticipated so great a triumph. The |
Republicans this year have taken 1t for
granted that the Democrats would be abe |
to can back large proportion of their |
stragglers and therefore have not. c.cu-
lated upon the exceptional majorities OF
1894. But In quarters where industries
have been most affected by the tariff,
and in quarters where the silver contro-
versy has most divided the Democratic
rarty, It is possible that the results this
year may again prove a surprise to all.