The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-11-15
THE Philosophy or IN

Four years ago mills began 60 close
the week Of President Cleveland's cleo
tion, and others stopped taking orders
and prepared 80 close as soon as exist
ing engag ements were completed, This
year many mills start up the week OF
MoIlinley's election, and multitudes
which have been running as close as
possible. SO as To stop without delay in
case of Bryan's success. begin immedi-
stely to run run force Four years ago
the reduction Of vases began as soon
as the result OF the election was known
This year many concerns have already
advanced wages voluntarily, even be-
fore the result is precisely ascertained
Men do rot yet know how large the
majority Of electoral votes or the popu-
lar majority may he. nor how the sen,
ate win stand, But they know enough
TO be certain that the supremacy Of
law viii be maintained. that the courts
will not be prostituted, and that no
more Democratic experiments with the
currency or the tarif viii be possible
for four years at least.
1t is not necessary TO add comments,
A naked recital Of the facts must edu-
cate multitudes Of men. The really sur
priSing thing is that millions of fellow
citizens have been voting to take the
bread from their own mouths. 10 de-
prive their own families OF subsistence,
and to prostrate the industries and bus
ness Of their country, This would be
less strange il all Of them were as base
and dishonest as those who have COM
posed riotous mobs in many cities, or
as densely ignorant as a considerable
part OF the voters in the slums OF cities
or in the backwoods. But IL is not so.
A great majority OF those who voted
to destroy their own prosperity and
that OF the country were unquestion-
ably honest and sincere. Besides the
base and vicious and the stupidity ig-
norant. there was great number OF
citizens who possess average intelli-
gence and are honest in purpose, and
yet voted as stupidity as the least wor-
thy Of all voters.
1t is easy to say that false money
theories blinded many Of them. and
false notions about the tariff blinded !
many others. The explanation does not
explain. until 1t is realized that these |
false thories have a faculty of binding |
men to their own real interests and to |
their duties as citizens, and that be-
cause they appeal to low and selfish
rather than patriotic motives. 1t Is
the very essence Of the cheap money |
theory that 1t persuades a man that his |
individual share Of the general proper
ty can be increased by taking away
part of the property which others en-
joy. 1t is the very essence OF the free
trade theory that 1t offers to selhshness
cheaper goods, without regard TO the
welfare OF the millions who cannot
produce cheap goods and yet live
and happy lives.
1t is opening the eyes OF millions
this swift transition from gloom to sun
light. If the Democratic vote is neces-
sarily vote for disaster and disturb
ance. why cast another? If Republican
success means instant improvement
and general prosperity, why not make
1t sure every time? II the general well
fare inevitably brings the best results
for all individuals, what sense is there
in voting for changes which a narrow
and blind selfishness may prompt, but
which surely involve sacrifice OF the
general welfare? II support of cheap
money and free trade theories uuavo'd-
ably makes a man the companion and
helper Of the ignorant and the baser
elements of society. is 1t not time to
push patriotism forward through all
the years that are coming?