The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-26
MEET THE ISSUE.

In his famous tariff message, delivered
to congress in 1887, Mr.. Cleveland pre-
scented to the Republican party an issue
which it accepted promptly, with the re-
suit of winning decided victory the fol-
lowing year and placing in the presiden-
tiaI chair Benjamin Harrison.
History seems about to repeat itself, in
part at least. The same Cleveland will
undoubtedly again present an issue to the
Republican party in his forthcoming
message to congress. He will recon-
mend the retirement of the enbacks.
and the firm establishment of the nations
finances upon a gold basis.
If the Republicans in congress meet
the subject in the same spirit as they did
the tariff message, and if the party, in
national convention. take the same bold
and unequivocal stand against his recon-
mendations that it did in 1888, victory is
assured. But in order to win and hold
the confidence of the people there musa
be no lodging, no compromise. It will
not be sufficient to merely oppose the re-
tirement of the greenbacks, but the party
to insure the support of the masses must
also oppose the riveting of the gold
standard upon the country, and make the
same bold. aggressive fight for the restor-
alton of bimetallism that it did for the
maintenance of protection to American
industries.
However Republican leaders and Re-
publican politicians may desire to eyade
The issue or postpone it, such course
will be rendered impossible by the tone
of the presidents message, if forecasts
OF what it is to contain are correct The
party through its representatives in con-
gress will be forced to meet the issue
squarely in advance of the national con-
vention. ANY mistake or weakness on
the part of the majority cannot be recti-
lied or erased by the national conven-
ton. A record of cowardice or COM
promise made in the approaching session
of congress will be too fresh in the minds
of the people next year for the party to
escape its consequences. The issue must
be met and met squarely and the plat
form for next year must be made by the
majority in congress and made right or
the millions of voters in all parties who
oppose European and Wall street domi-
nation in the monetary affairs of the ma
ton Will find way of making their pro-
test felt.
The country has just been treated to
an example of the people throwing off
party letters and voting against the po-
litical organization with which they have
always acted previously, and voting with
party which promised them nothing
better. Why did they do this? 1t was
protest against the course of the Demo
ocratic leaders. Republicans should
profit by the lesson aud not invite a sim
liar retuke by adopting a course which
is anything else than one of vigorous re-
sistance to the Cleveland financial pol
icy.
Party leaders cannot get along without
the people for long. 1t has been custo-
mary in the past to deceive and mislead
them. This is becoming harder to do
every year. The wiley secretary of the
treasury failed to do it even in the rock
ribbed Democratic state of Kentucky
How much more hopeless would such a
task prove in the northern and wester u
states.
The money question will not down. L
cannot be sidetracked or evaded L
must be met and Republicans in con
gress may as well begin the battle this
winter.