Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-13

society" I'm case tho Democracy SHOULD
happen 20 win presidential election
hereafter on q platform uniavorable 10
the Fleeing privileges Of the plutocracy'
His phrase at the Lord Mayors banquet
In an address following Ambassador
Bayard's unpatrlOtc and disgracetul
speech, means just that or nothing. the
bourses OF Paris and Berlin and OF all otner
Continental cities, as well as the news
papers which speak in the interests OF
the ruling classes. have expressed n
happiness as great as that of wall street
Itself To Judge by the dispatches, one
would think that Europe Is solid for
Mckinley. the gold standard and non-in-
reference with the exploitation Of the
masses by the predatory rich. But the
people OF Europe. the multitude who do
not operate in the bOurscs and have no
influence with the respectable commercial
press. have not been heard from at all.
What they think about the American
election has not been thought worth
ascertaining and telegraphing. That
which we have learned with certainty IS
that the aristocracy and the rich OF the
Old World are in the most CORDIAL ana
intimate sympathy with their brethren
OF America. They feel that the eartn
Is theirs, and that the smallest attack
anywhere upon their exclusive owner
ship must be repellod with their whole
strength-that the assailants must be
crushed into the dust, lest the tiniest
victory should encourage them TO more
formidable assaults. That is the spirit
OF the DlutOcracy everywhere. Progress
OF any kind Is regarded with suspicion
and intense aversion. They would, as
Emerson said, nail the stars to the sky,
II they could. They know nothing OF tho
wisdom Of statesmanrhlp, which yields a
little In order 10 retain much. Always
they fear the deluge. and always they
encourage its coming by their dun OPP
position TO everything that Is proposed
for the benefit Of others than them
selves.
The conservative instinct Of great bodies
Of the American people was artfully APP
pealed TO by the Republicans in the late
canvass. and these bodies. who have no
community of interest with the forces OF
greed. were induced 10 vote with the
party Of the trusts. They were alarmed
into the belief that the moderate, consu-
tutional and American proposals Of the
Democratic platform concealed sinister
purposes hostile 10 property and the
national honor. Reflection must cause
these patriotic, II timid, Americans 10
ask themselves If a cause that draws 10
its ardent support not alone the money
power Of their own country, but of the
whole world, can be a cause the triumph
Of which IS good for the people Of the
United States as a whole. II a political
party in this country may not propose
any reform without being reviled as if it
designed the destruction Of civilized so
ciety. what is TO become Of the republic?
II no party may propose the slightest
curtailment Of the privileges Of the prey
ing rich without being accused of loving
lawlessness and anarchy, what progress
I'm government can be- made? If opposi-
ton to the political az well as the indus
trial rule Of the trusts is 10 be ranked as
disguised treason. what has the future i'm
store for popular government in the
United States?
No matter what any man may think
about our currency. whether its basis
should be one Of the precious metals or
both. none can deny that the result OF
the presidential election has given graft
fcation 10 and increased the sense OF
security Of every trust I'm the country.
Neither is il 20 be denied that the pluto
cracy and artistocracy Of every European
monarchy halls that result with JOY. Can
1t be held by the Thoughtful that a victory
which strengthens the trusts and cheers
the privileged classes around the globe is
one that should please the pride and en-
courage the hope Of the patriotic Ameri-
can, whatever his party may be?