The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-25
AN ENGLISH VIEW OF OUR SITUA-



The London Spectator. one Of the ablest
papers published in England, discusses
our presidential election very fully in its
issue of November 9TH, just at hand. 1t
says OF Mr.. Bryan that lie showed extra
ordinary energy. and some insight into
the zeal grievances of his countTymen,
but that. to be frank. he displayed but
little mental power. 1t then says mono
of the problems which agitated the Union
are solved by the elcction-indeed, one
problem, that Of the wisest tariff, is prob
ably made more hopeless-but the Ameri-
can people have refused to solve them
by legalized violence. and that is much"
The Spectator then continues its dis
cussion of the case thus:
"The Americans are expecting a grand
rush OF prosperity, or as they phrase 1t,
a boom in business as d result of the
election, and their feeling is reelected over
here; but they are. We think, Il little
over-sanguino. The election, it Is true,
rids them OF one cause of disturbance.
The curse OF elective mOnarchy-and their
system is elective monarchy modified by
federalism-is the immense disturbance
which ensues on every vacancy In the
throne, and this time the disturbance
has been intensified 10y fears of a social
uprising; but except a restoration of con
ndence, what has occurred that should
create prosperity? The difficulties of the
Treasury remain what they were. The
huge load Of silver in the Washington
vaults will still be 1nsaleable. The avs
will sim make the Finance Minister of
-. -. .s4arTf.Y 90 ff. Gold reserve
and therefore the mark at whom every
one who wants gold in quantities must
aim his bow. The evil influence Of pro-
lection will still press upon everybody
who buys anything except corn, and Will
still enable every combination and ring
10 secure mOnOpOlies OF necessary articles,
10 fix prices AT their own discretion, and
10 ruin all competitors who refuse 10
yield. Mr.. Mckinley himself wishes TO
push protection further. and having been
supported by the capitalists. his advisers
will neither attack The trusts nor venture
10 modify the National Bank system.
Tho railway kings Will suck up much Of
the advance in corn. and the great mil
lionaires. secure from popular onmity for
rve years. will devise new and successful
schemes for taking the cream of every
Industrious mans milk. The shadow of
a Spanish war viii bee. If anything, deep
cncd, and there will be an increase in
an national expenditure: first, because
the Republicans are pledged 10 the Zip
10 the nine hundred thousand pensioners.
and secondly. because when one wants
TO raise tariffs and oyer-full Treasury IS
a party nuisance. Great. no doubt, Is
the power Of credit. which has been par
TALLY restored. but after an. You cannot
get more hay than there is grass in the
neld. and where. apart from the great
sanger avcrted. Is the irrigating power
In this election? 1t viii hardly be found
IN Sir. McKinlcy's wisdom. The people
OF the United States have twice elected
a grand man. Washington and Lincoln.
and once a man OF great though d~estruc-
tive ability. Je0crson; but like Switzor-
land and like France. their usual elective
chiefs have been men with average brains,
average character, and deficient original
ity. Mr.. Mckinley is certainly. by the
testimony Of his admirers. no exception
to that rule. and though there are strong
men behind The throne. the wire-puller
who can construct has yet to be discoy-
cred. America has been rescued from a
catastrophe by the sense and consorva-
tism OF her people. but these qualities.
admirable as they are. will not secure
sudden bursts OF prosperity. Mr.. McKin-
ley viii be al the White House. but the
corn Will grow no quicker. the taxes will
he no lighter, and the capitalist will seek
no lower interest because Mr. Cleveland
quits hat much-desired place OF lodg-
ing"
There is much truth that IS presented
by a good deal Of error In this passage.
We have never looked for any sudden
and great rush of prosperity as the re-
-. - $500. - e... Ill -.
defeat OF that dreadful assault upon
everything fixed and stable Will be 10
build us a broad and solid foundation
upon whilh we can erect the superstruc-
ture OF a healthy business We could
never have begun TO build up whilst our
foundation was OF the shifting and uncer-
tain sort that free silver would have
furnished. The superstructurc would al