Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-11-05

precision to make clear the lines OF
which the battle would be fought. A
year ago the Republican party stood,
chatting and impatient for the fray
flushed with supreme confidence OF
victory. And Justly so. The Cleve-
land administration was an admitted
failure. Its most bitter enemies were
to be found in the ranks of the Democ-
racy The Wilson free trade, deficit
breeding tariff, which was SO weak a
measure that Mr.. Cleveland would not
sign it, was thoroughly discredited.
rhe weak and partial foreign policy OF
die administration, particularly under
Secretary Gresham's guidance, had
caused every true American TO hang
his head. In three successive state
or Congressional elections the country
had rendered unmistakablc verdicts
in favor of Republicanism Even the
dullest Democratic eye could not fail
to note the trend of public sentiment.
All the issues upon which that party
had fought and won its great victory
in 1892 were so many scorching irons
to the Democratic touch year ago.
Scarcely rift appeared in the dark
cloud that obscured the star Of the
Democracy. Clevelandism was too
heavy a load for it to carry. With the
old issues in the front, the Democrats
could not hope to carry more than half
dozen states in the union,
But the Democracy is nothing if not
fertile in eXpedients. As soon as ii
appreciated its hopelessness, it set
about, like Satan when east from
heaven, TO get out of its slough of
despond The financial straits through
which the treasury had passed. which
were made prominent by the admins
tration in order to hide the real source
of the trouble, and the general disgust
caused by the bond deals with the syn
dictates gave the opportunity for a
startling coup. With a boldness I'M
precedented, the Democracy of the
South and West. which had LONG had Il
leaning toward silver, conceived the
idea of throwing overheard the prcsi-
dent of it, choice and the leaders of
the party in the East, joining hands
with the newly arisen Populists and
making one last charge TO hold its SUI
premacy. The arguments to be used |
were those appealing to the passions
and iealousies of the poorer people in
the effort to array them against the
rich and well-to-tlo 1t was forlorn
hope, but it was the last straw and the
Democracy clutched it. 1t is useless to
deny that in the campaign Just ended
the Democrats have cut out the issues
and forced their opponents onto the
defensive.
In pursuance of their plan, state
after state in the silver section, i'm
assembled, rcpudiated
Cleveland and came ont for the new
Democracy. II was evident that the
sands were shifting. The Republicans,
Utter hot and exciting canvass for the
presidential nomination. selected Me
Niniey, the high priest of protection,
md placed him upon aplatfom clearly
declaring for the existing gold stand
lrd. They threw down the gage of
'attle all along the line. The Demo-
rats ioyfully picked it up, having sue
'eeded in forcing the money issue TO
he front. In convention unprece-
Tented in ardor and enthusiasm. they I
rossed the Rubicon by severing their (
with the Democrats of the q
last and paving the way for alliance
With the Populists. In their intoxica-
ion, they proclaimed tenets of belief !
o new and startling as to wake the at T
ention of the world The sensational v