The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1896-11-04
After. The Battle.

reaches its readers the result OF the presi-
dental canvass which, at the time we
write, is in it's last stage, will be known.
A long and exceptionally exciting con-
test will have been fought to a finish,
and great public question will have
been settled. Such at last is the univer-
sal hope. Few citiz ms on either side
will be found 20 desire such an outcome
Of the balloting as will leave the issue
still open.
The canvass has been of an importance
unusual, even amorg presidential con-
tests. 1t has been frequently compared
TO the great canvass OF 1860, to which it
bears a particular resemblance in the
wide breaking Of party lines A still
more striking points of similarity is
found in the clearness OF the issue. Now.
as then, the two leading parties have
adopted platforms whose meaning is un-
mlstakable, and are advocating policies
wholly irr, concilable.
OF all this we are thoroughly mindful.
The issue is great the effects of the
peoples decision will be felt for years to
come. Nevertheless, whatever may be
the result. those who shall find them
selves defeated at the polls must not
despair OF the republic.
TO many sincere advocates of the free
coinage of silver it has seemed that the
permanent adoption OF the gold standard
would be an evil Of the greatest magni-
tude. In like fashion the opponents OF
free coinage predict calamity to bus
mess and dishonor to the republic as
the inevitable consequences OF that
policy. Both cannot be right, and we
are not going to suggest that both are
absolutely wrong; but it is surely not
necessary to concede that even this
remarkable election is going to destroy
the business of the country.
Here are some seventy millions OF
pit ople, ranking high among the people
of the world in virtue and intelligence
and inhabiting land whose resources
are still but imperlectly developed. All
these people must be fed and clothed
and no one questions that there is plenty
or them all it they apply wisely to
nature for her blessings. True, the in
dustrial methods OF modern civilization
are complicated, and the character of the
medium of exchange is OF great import
ance in the accumulation and distribu-
ton of wealth. But can one imagine a
great and energetic people giving up the
production and exchange of commodities
because of failure to agree upon a sat
isfactory sort OF money?
Moreover,we all know that Americans
are, as a rule, quick to regain their feet
after tumble. To sit down and grieve
over spilled milk is not national char.
acteristic. To no people is the future OF
such overwhelming importance as COM
pared with past Our youthful republic
like young man does indeed live large
ly in the future. We have made mis-
takes and recovered from them. II per-
chance We should make others, are we
not still of an age to outgrow them2
The very earnestness of the appeal
which each side is making is in itself an
encouraging sign to the observer, who
has in mind more than the immediate
object OF the debate. For is not this
earnestness at bottom an evidence OF
deep and general concern for the welfare
OF the country? In Indifference to poll
tics, rather than in anxiety and fears
lies danger. Whenever in our history
the people have been thoroughly aroused
on any question, they have sooner or
later found the right answer To enter
tain gloomy forebodings as to the outcome
because il is much debated. is hardly in
accordance with the spirit OF our institu-
lions.
The intensity of the feeling manifest
ed, the ardor OF the discussion, the gem
eral interest-these are all hopeful indi- |
cations that We are nearing a decision |
which shall be final. Let us all make |
the best OF ii. We cannot all have our |
way, but the unsuccessful should not be
likened to vanquished army. When
the verdict has been given and one poll
icy is approved, nothing should be said
of those who opposed it more bitter than
this that they sought the welfare OF
their country unwisely.-Youth's Com
panion