The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-11-19
DID FAST THINKING
Col. Armstrong Reviews Recent
American Campaign.
CONSERVATIVES VS.. RADICALS
Sugar May Figure in An
nexation.
Campaign Here Can Open None
Too SOon-M CkinIey is Boun-
ty Advocate.

Mr.. Editor:-It will be many years
before the writer's on political subjects
fully comprehend the meaning of the
course of public affairs in this country
during the last six months. The many
cross currents arising out of hidden
it is surprising how so many of them
finally swung around and blended in
the great current of conservatism at
the last moment. The movements and
exchange of thought were remarkably
rapid, even in these days of rapid
mails and telegraphs. A nation new
er thought so quickly before. We are
so accustomed to pleasant voyages in
our Ship of State, since the great civil
war, that we were dazed at first when
the cry went out that the Ship was
within the outer line of breakers, and
the Populist winds bowling: Down
with the Supreme Court Free coin
age and money for ALL and Let the
mob rule in Strikes were driving her
fast on. The financial question is alb
struce, and educated men do not agree
about it. How could a mass OF farm
ers and workingmen understand it?
One mans opinion is as good as an
others. One mans assertion is as good
as anothers.
The people wanted facts. Japan,
China, Mexico and the South American
i~l,A
clever move to send working men to
who reported that they paid
go cents per pound for coffee, and 20
cents a pound for meat, and that wages
were not in proportion.
The Republican campaign was man
aged with rare skill. The ''sure" States
were not approached. In the doubtful
States the most expensive method of |
was adopted, that of house |
to house visitation, and the spread of |
literature-25O, 100000 of documents !
were sent out. Indiana, which has the |
reputation of being the most corrupt |
State, was carefully attended to-" The
Bryan men were closely watched and
met at every turn. 1t was war to the
knife. The Democratic contributions
to the Republican campaign was enor-
nous. The Bryan leaders relied on
tidal wave. When no symptoms ap-
peared of its rising, it was too late to
resort to the usual agencies. Bryan's
5peech-making was a mistake his
rpio Dc l.
and very eloquent, but his speeches
reused up the leaders of the Republic
an party. He started out to educate
the people in his way of thinking, and
the other side took alarm. Had he
kept quiet, the other side would not
have worked as hard as it did
The OppOrtune rise in the price of
wheat, at the last moment. rather stag
gered the silver men. The Republican
orators loudly asked them during the
final week of the campaign: why does
wheat go up if gold drives prices
DOWN." The answer was: THE gold
bugs put it up for campaign purposes.
1t will drop the moment the election
is over" But the prices advanced af-
ter election, and thousands of really
honest silver men are scratching their
heads.
One of the studies hereafter will be
the division of the vast vote on the
line of education. All of the States
with the highest percentage of people
who cannot read or write voted for
Bryan. And all of the States where
The percentage is the lowest voted for
Mckinley, with the exception of the
States which produced silver. No bet
er object lesson for the uses of schools
could be given than that of the con