The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-21

North. lam not now arguing that the
North is right and the South wrong;
only that it is desirable from the
standpoint of national interest to
break up the solid South. Our
most patriotic men have deplored
the fact that since the war no South
ern State when left to itself has sided
with the North on any issue, though
many of the Northern States have
voted with the South. There that
wall has stood, seemingly impreg
nable, of solid South; SO many
States who could be counted on to
support one party, no matter what
principles it advocated or candidate
it put up without regard 10 what they
voted for. Now it is accuse for nation
al rejoicing, as giving promise of
new spirit of unity and breaking
down of old sectional barriers that
some of the Southern States, those on
the border at least, have thrown
aside their ancient traditions to de-
eide an election on its merits and net
on the ground of party. Here is
cause for national rejoicing without
regard to which side won or lost.
In this connection, too, we may re-
fer to the breaking down of party
lines within State circuits and the
new impetus which this campaign
has given to independence in voting.
Government by party is perhaps nec-
essary under our forms; but one of
the worst enemies of his country is
he who blindly votes his party ticket
without regard to the character of
the men nominated or the issues at
stake. The salvation of the nation
from corruption and its certainty of
progress lies in the presence of
great class of independent voters.
1t is hard matter for one who has
followed the standards Of party for
many years to forsake them. The
name one has marched under comes to
have a certain sacredness. 1t means
much, then, for the future welfare of
our nation that so many men OF both
the old parties left their allegiance
to party in this campaign to vote for
a principle, thus showing that they
held principle above party. IRE
spective of whether a man left the re-
publican party to vote for free silver
or left the democratic party to vote
forthe maintenance of the gold stand
ard, here is cause for thankfulness in
this growth of independence. The
right once asserted, it is easier to fol-
low this course in the future and this
campaign gives us confidence that no
party in time to come can count on
the support of its former adherents
no matter what it's platform or can
didates or its Encouragement when
in power, but that the resultwill COM
pei all parties in the future who
would keep the suffrages of the ma
iority to stand for definite princi
pie and to be careful of its manage
ment of national affairs.
x x
Now, once more, whatever ones
politics or theories about the cause of
hard times and the remedy therefor.
we can all rejoice that since the cleo
ton business prosperity and return
to good times seem to have set in.
Even in this short time, mill after
mill has started up, order after order
has been placed with the manufac-
turers; thousands of men who have
been idle have been set at work.
Everything indicates, too, that this
is no mere squirt for effect but is the
beginning of permanent improve
ment. Gold has come out of it's hid
ing place; money has become abund-
ant, as shown by the drop in rates of
interest, confidence has returned so
that merchants and others can get
credit. In fact all the wheels of in
dustry and commerce have begun to
turn once more. Now here is fact
without regard to theories or part san
ideas for which all must be glad. In
the end | believe the result of the
election will prove good thing for
all, for the defeated as we'll as for the
victorious, and be boon for which
all will some day give thanks. Ger
tainly that will prove true, if the pros
perity now begun is permanent Thel 9
is no way so effectually to dispose of
wrong theories as to bring them to
the test of experience. If, at the end
of four years, business shall be good,
wages high and prices strong, if cap
ital shall be abundant and interest
low, this prosperity will thoroughly
dispose of the free silver agitation;