The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-01

Az every important political campaign
draws to q close there is always an intensity
o interest and anxiety as to the result so soon
20 be determined; but never before in the
history of our American politics was this
intensity so great and general rs 1t Is now
In our whole experience there never has been
manifested 80 profound a feeling in n politi-
cal contest as is now displayed in the multi
eude of letters which reach this Office daily
from Democrats and Republicans both.
Tit popular" interest in the canvass and
its great and dominating issue has found
expression in such letters from the very
beginning, and to an extent far SURPRISING
any previous experience of ours; but as
election day approaches, the utterances OF
our readers in all parts Of the Union be-
come more and more earnest, and OF n
stronger and deeper emotion. They
are all In one strain. There is no
discerdant note. The feeling they ex-
press is that of the most ardent
patriotism. The anxiety which leads them
to exhort us to arouse every citizen TO per-
form his duty by voting for MCKINLEY on
Tuesday, springs from their unanimous
conviction that the movement OF winch
BRYAN is the leader, with I'LL
NAN, and DEBs as lieutenants, is directed at
the very life of the republic and the honor
and glory OF it's flag. They feel. and justly
feel, that its assault is on civilization itself,
and that, consequently, any neglect to resist
It due to a simple spirit Of past craftsmanship,
IL actually reasonable in this supreme emer-
pency. Even the attack of the South Caro-
lima secessionists on Fort Sumter did not
arouse Q more thrilling expression of loyalty
to the flag than these thousands of letters
have exhibited; and 1t grows more intense
ar the election draws nearer.
The same feeling wal manifested most Inn
pressively in the great patriotic parade yes
terday. In the whole experience of this COM
munity there has never been anything mp
preaching 1t in the solemnity of its earnest
ness. It was not a procession OF exultation,
but Of firm and earnest determination, and
the same tone pervaded the crowds through
out the route. There was no frivolity.
The whole community was charged with
thu seriousness appropriate to q time when
the very foundations of the republic, when
civilization itself, require for their preser-
walton the united efforts Of all loyal men
and every earnest and enlightened spirit.
1t was o grand, q noble manifestation Of
,Ameriean conscience and American patriot
t1Tsrzhich will always live in the memories
up By 10 who took part in it or were privt-
2si fr9'to look upon the solid files Of serious
N h, who marched by with the Stars and
, Stripes a. the symbol Of the feeling which
filled their hearts.
What does it all mean! It means that
next Tuesday the republic will be preserved.
It means that its loyal citizens will over
come and dismay the sullen forces Of an
archy arrayed for the destruction Of Ameri-
can liberty and American civilization.
The people are stirred as never before;
and we'll they may be aroused to the in
tensest e~arnestness, for the enemies they
are about to go forth to conquer are the
enemies of civilization and of mankind.