The San Francisco call., 1896-11-05
TRIUMPHANT CONSERVATISM.

The significance of the overwhelming
victory of Mckinley and Hobart is too
clear 10 be misunderstood. Many issues
were submitted to the people during the
campaign, but all of them when reouced
to the last analysis was choice between
the maintenance of the existing order of
things and an endeavor to reform them
under the leadership of agitators, theorists
and dreamers
The American people have had four
years experience with theorists in office.
They trusted the management of the
affairs of the Government 10 free-traders
and philosophical spectators, and the
result has been disaster. The lesson of
that experience has been learned in every
household. Even among those who are
accounted wealthy there has been three
years of enforced economy, and in too
many homes of the land there has been
absolute destitution.
For three years the people have longed
for restoration of good business They
have desired to get rid of theorists in
office and to return to the sound and safe
methods which experience has taught to
be best for our welfare. They were in no
mood, therefore, to listen to men who, in
addition TO tinkering with the tariff, de-
sired to tinker also with finance. The dis
tress resulting from free trade foredoomed
any idea OF an experiment with free silver
Back OF the sincere reformers in the con-
test there was, moreover, whole host of
agitarors, some of whom were demagogues,
some of whom were fanatics and all of
whom were inexperienced in public affairs
and seemingly utterly reckless of conse-
quences. II we credit most OF these men
with honesty OF purpose, there would still
remain among the most prominent of
them some who were clearly seeking the
qualification ofambtion by methods which
were both dishonest and lawless. These
men became conspicuous as the leaders of
the Bryan campaign and public alarm was
excited ct once.
The American people in a moment of
weakness were willing to trust TO such
theorists as Gresham and Wilson and
others who supported Cleveland. but
never in any mood would they be willing
to trust AItgeld. Tillman and those who
were back of Bryan. No cause led by these
men could fad favor with the majority of
the Americans. 1t was foregone conclu-
sion that the people would never follow
them In carrying out policy which would
have meant revolution in finance, com.
merce and industry. When the Chicago
platform and the Chicago ticket were an
nounced to the people old party lines were
broken up, and the conservative elements
OF all parties united for the maintenance
of good government.
This is the significance of the great vic
tory. The Endorsement of protection
reciprocity, sound money, liberal pen-
sions to Union soldiers, the upbullding of
merchant marine, the extension of in
ternal Improvements, the advancement of
American industries, were but parts of
one great whole. The prevailing senti-
ment in all sections of the Union, includ-
ing even the Democratic South, was the
overthrow of every foolish dreamer and
dangerous demagogue in the land. How
completely that sentiment worked its
will at the polls is made clear by the re-
suits before u.s. The American people
have once more demonstrated their ca
pacity for self-government. They have
shown TO the world that not even under
the stress OF hard times do they become
reckless and foolish. They have attested
not only their patriotism but the virtue
which makes patriotism wise enough as
well as strong enough TO maintain Sc.
cureiy government of the people, by the
people, for the people, in unshaken sta
bility.