The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1896-12-10
The Election.
Youths Compilation.

Youths COMp0u.On.
The most exciting political struggle
in the history of the United States
came to an end on the third of Noyem-
Der. On that day fourteen million
Americans expressed by their votes their
opinion upon questions as momentous
as were ever referred to the tribunal of
the people.
We all know the result A majority
of states, ma jOrity of electors and a
majority of voters are found to be in
favor of the election of Major William
Mckinley as President of the United
States in favor OF ''the existing gold
standard" as it is expressed in the Re-
publican platform and opposed to the
free coinage of silver.
number OF votes that will be cast by
the state electors tor Mr.. Mckinley
and for Mr.. Bryan has not been ascer-
tanned. For purposes of record we
shall give these numbers hereafter.
AT present it may be said the MAORI
ty for the Republican candidates,
when the electors vote In January
next, will probably be not far from one
hundred.
The House OF Representatives, in
the next Congress, Will be strongly con-
trolled by the Republicans, but not so
great majority as the present House.
1t cannot be foretold which party will
have power in the Senate, nor will that
fact be definitely known until the new
senators shall have been chosen, at the
beginning of next year.
While the result of the election was
as great disappointment to millions
OF Americans as it was an occasion of
joy to other millions, some reasons for
rejoicing in which all may join may
be mentioned. Intense as was the ex-
element, and great as was the nervous
strain upon the people the election
passed of peacea' everywhere and
the verdict of thu majority has been
accepted as settling the questions at
issue unless the people themselves in
the future reverse the verdict.
II could not be expected that men
who are defeated in such contest Will |
accept the verdict as final. They
thought they were right, and the fact
that a majority Of their felIow-citizens
thought otherwise does not convince
them that they were wrong. They
declare that they will renew the strug-
gle in the next canvass But their
universal acceptance OF the situation,
while it surprises no one, gratifies
every one and the spectacle of pro-
found peace after the strenuous politi-
cal battle exats our position among
the nations Of the world. Democratic
and republican government has been
put to a ties: as severe perhaps as it was
ever called to endure in any country of
the world, and it has stood that test.
That proves the strength OF popular
government it demonstrates also that
The defeated, as we'll as the victors. are
patriots.
Furthermore, since present agita-
lion OF the questions just decided-for
he time, at least-Hould De useless. !
and since the defeated party patriot
ally accepts the .1ill of the majority,
We shall have period of rest from the
disturbance of political strife, and an
to recover from the blight
ns effects of angry partisanshlp. Only {
politicians who must live by their trade
II politics will seek prematurely to ,
tlr up commotion like that which ,
vas ended by the election and the 6
people will quickly decide that those
Who endeavor at once to renew the :
conflict are men who love themselves t
more than they love their country. t