Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-10-30
The CAMPAIGN.

ing to a close. Il differed materially
from former campaigns in this that the
fight was not strictly upon old party
lines, but to great extent between
members of the same parties The Re-
publican party, in convention assembled,
/ refused to yield to the portion OF their
party that was favorable to deprecated
currency, and adopted a platform favor
able to sound money. The Democratic
party, Oh the other hand, departing from
its time henored principles, MS many OF
the party understand them, was dOminat-
ed by an element that was hostile not
only to democratic principles, but was
hostile to the democratic administration
so hos tile as not only in open conven-
ton to insult the chief magistrate OF the
nation, and him democrat, three times
chosen as the leader Of his party, but
even to insert in the platform, DlankS
that were evidently intended as direct
Insult to him. and all democrats who
sustained his administration. The flnan-
cial principles injected into so called
Democratic platform were those which
had been previously adopted by the
Greenbackers and Populists.
This course, evidently intended to
draw to the Democratic party, the sup
port of pOpulists, greenbackers, diSSatis-
1ed republicans and free silverites, Of
Tended u respectable portion of the
Democratic party who have heretofore
strenuously adhered to Democratic
principles and who today are unwilling
to abandon those principles even
to achieve temporary success.
A large number of these Democrats,
firmly believing that the present policy
of the Democratic party is fraught with
ruin to the country, will vote for the
representatives of the party which they
have fought all their lives. Believing
that the protective doctrines OF the Re
publican party will do less harm than
the free and unlimited coinage of silver,
at l6 to J., a populist herssy, now for
the first time adopted by the Democratic
marty. they will east their votes for Nc
Kinley and Hobart, the candidates OF
the Republican party. Others, not
willing to endor the Objectionable
features of Republican party, and above
all other considerations DESTROYS OF mair-
taintaing the true principles of the
Democratic faith, will cast their votes
for Palmer and Buckner who today
represent the principles which have
heretofore been the beacon light OF
Democracy. During the campaign we
have endeavored fairly to lay before our
readers the issues presented by the con-
test. We do not profess to be nfallibls.
We do not profess to know more than
others, but who do profess to be honest
in the expression Of eur opinions. We
have advocated the same doctrines. since |
the party conventions, which we adVo-
Gated before the conventions gave ex-
preston to their respective party pr nci-
pies. We have not varied one iOta OH
account OF party action. Five months ago
we publicly repudiated 1.-The populistic
theory Of free, and unlimited coinage Of
silver, lG to l. as being antagOnistic to
the best interests Of the people, as
vain del1sion and a snare We repudi-
ate this same theory today. We cannot
change onr opinion upon 50 important
an Issue at the command OF any party.
We would be unworthy the position
which we occupy. as an editor Of al in
dependent journal, if we could.
The battle is nearly over. The issues
are already decided. The formal declare
ton will be made next Tuesday. II it
should so happen that the sovereign PEG
pie Of this great nation should stamp out
forever this ''pOpulistic heresy' which
threatens ruin to tho present generation
and disasterto those which are to follow,
We with the thousands of patriotic demo-
Gratis who love country more than party,
will rejoice that the country has escaped
the greatest danger that has ever threat
ened its prosperity, if motifs continued
existence.
If on the other hand, the sovereign
people should decide that the theories
advocated by the free silveritss are to
become a part of tbs financial policy OF
this government, we shall be greatly
disappointed, but will endeayor patient
ly to bear our portion of the burden
but firmly believing that we have taken
a backward step, from which it will re-
quire years to recover "a step by which
we will approximate the condition OF the
silver countries of today and to be furth'
re moved fro IN the prosperous condition
Of those countries who recognize the |
fact that nothing cenduces more to the |
prosperity OF a people than fixed and |
permanent standard of values.
We are free to say that in this cam !
paigu we have done all that we could. |
we believed that we were advOcatinga |
policy which would ensure prosperity TO
our people, while the prevalence Of the |
opposite policy, in our opinion, would
bring ruin and disaster. We have Of |
Tended friends and made enemies, but at
the same time we have won the respect |
of many who believe hat it is mans |
duty TO advocate earnestly what he be-
lieves to be right. We offer no apologies.
Time will develop who are right. We
are patient, and will patiently wait for
the decision.
Where do you Stand!
Isit with Grover Cleveland the thrice
chosen leader Of the democratic hosts,
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