Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-11-21
A Great People.

~OlSsls
After every such contest as that |
through which we have just passed one |
10 filed with wonder and admiration OF |
the American people. The marvel of |
the ready acquiescence OF defeated |
minority numbering millions of voters
In the viii Of majority will never
grow old. II Is the most stupendous
fact la our political system. II Is the
mightiest influence at work nolding
human character In the rough. Ii Ia q
perpetual lesson In self-restraint. It'll
u teacher OF those high morals that sum
up the rights OF others. It Is spec
taele unlike any other In the whole
world. We have but 70 pass In review
the bitterness OF this campaign and the
intensity Of the feeling which IL enyok-
ed, and contrast them with the absolute
unanimity with which results are ac-
eepted, tofeel intensest pride In our
people and our institutions. For weeks
rival political organizations have
fought battle which each knew was
20 the death. IL IVES more than mere
contest for the spoIls of ofiice. Policies
and principles Of far-reaching conse-
quenee we're arrayed against one an
other. Whatever leaders may have
believed, . vast host Of honest voters
we're honestly convinced that the future
Of this republic lay 10 the balance. On
each side men thought that prosperity
and justice and humanity and liberty
itself had been put up "a the stake 70 be
governed by the casting Of this die.
And on each side IL happened, MS II
usually does In contests 80 fierce, that
there sas some weak fool 20 talk about
non-acceptance Of the result, and 70
threaten that his side would seat il
candidates BY whatever means might
be found necessary.
Nov, a week has passed. and the first
Issues Of the press all over this country,
commenting upon the result, have pour
ed ln:o newspaper Offices II Is with
pride IN ihe grea, profession Of Journal
Ism that we read she loyal and patri
otto words spoken over this verdict b,
those 70 whom Il comes as a disappoint'
mcnt Of hope and the knell OF party
ambition. There are no exceptions z
this rule. The disappointed are mo-
disioyai There are, as II Is righ'
, there should be. words OF congratula
ton and comfort for those who mad,
a wondsrful and vigorous, though losing
fight. There was, as IL Is natural tina
there should be. some fears expresses
a. 20 the policies that the yictoriou
, party may inangurate and carry out
But the prevailing tenor and the doni
mating note Of the public political utter
r ance since last, Tuesday morning ha
: been that Of q quick, unqucstionine
! loyal submission 20 the win of the ms
. lorIty. Il Is the voice Of the people
: say they all. When that voice Is full
and freely expressed, he who hesitate
for one second 10 obey IL Is traito
should die the death.
This Is form OF patriotism whic
We cannot prize zoo highly. IL Is u
: antido,e Of factional strife and cia'
hatred, the foremost foes OF free inst
y tuiions. As long as such spirit pr
wallis, tho republic Is safe. We do n
, end in our great cites or mighty raj
T. road systems or enormous producti'
L capacity. or any other OF the evidenc'
J, Of wealth, such proof OF national grea
q ness as In the cordial acceptance !
the tremendous army Of the defeated
:, the win of the majority as their 10
!. for the future. Nor Is 1t the matte
:. alone that gains, but every individu
!, who has learned the lesson OF submit
zion 10 defeat, OF deferring bis deare
!, hope, because people believe that u
!. general good demands IL, builds ther
:, by firm foundations for character, u
better citizen and a better man,
4