The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-05-22
Wal,alni,ls cr Gives Some Facts.
ATLANTA ConstitutiOn.)

IotollcI HanhIldhei, OIL t>nllduClpnla.
who tried hard to be q politician, has
been compelled to devote attention to
his business during the past few years.
AS IL Shopkeeper. he is compelled to keep
his eyes OH passing events and to get
something more than a glimpse Of eX-
listing conditions.
a few days ago Wanamaker was call
ed on To make an address at a banquet
OF the business Mems League, and he
gave his hearers a. few facts calculated
TO give them food for reflection. BY q
curious coincidence, Mr.. Mckinley was,
at the same moment. the guest Of the
Union League Club, not very far away.
Among other things, Mr.. Wanamaker
said: Y
The country is not prosperous. Since
the outset Of the last Presidential cam
paign the party. press and political lead
crs. generally, fixed the November cleo
ton Of 1896 as the date of the beginning
Of good times a full half Of the year
has expired since the Will of the Re-
publican party was declared Thus far
but one of the most important issues Of
the campaign is nearing settlement and
hardly any noticeable Improvement Of
the wretched times is manifest. The
tide will soon set in strongly against the
Republican party unless the depression
OF business is altered. Idlencss anu
want breed bitter discomfort which
will never be overcome until there are
ample enpOymentS
1t is Il pity that Mckinley, and Han
ma and Reed and Dingley and the rest
could not have been where they could
have heard their fellow la borer tell The
truth about the condition or the coun-
try. s#
But this is not all Mr.. Wanamaker
said. He went farther and uttered n
warning TO which the Republican party
should give heed saying:
The foes America has to fear are not
the savage Turks nor the insurrection-
lists Of Cuba nor the territory graspng
british, but they are our own patient
and heart-lred people. our own suffer-
ing. much promised people, who, be-
trayed and disheartened. no longer
have faith in their party, and will turn
to any cadcrshipS that offer promise
Of better times, believing that worse
times can never come than those now
existing. 1t is IL terrible thing TO oh
serve public sentiment adrift and un-
captained ana The people sweeping away
from their affection to the old party.
The young men are growing up indiffer-
ent to Republican principles. with no
respect for parties OF broken platforms
who use national and State patronage
in payment Of election contracts. The
political religion Of the nation is falling
lower and lower under insults to intelli-
gcnce, violation Of law, reckless daring
of unscrupulouS bosses.
That which gives Mr.. Wanamaker
cause for despair, is precisely that
which gives hope to those who know and
! understand the shameful record Of the
Republican party since its great leader
died. The ways Of Providence are mys-
FERROUS. but II II Is necessary In order
to open the eyes OF the people to the
truth and justice Of Democratic prin-
ciples that they should be compelled to
endure want and suffering and the rigor
OF hard times then II may well be said
that what they have suffered ana what
they will be compelled to sufferis simply
D blessing In disguise.
Anything that will compel them to
know the truth and to value it-any-
thing that will drive them to turn their
minds to the contemplation OF the prin-
ciples that are essential to life, liberty
and the pursuit Of happiness in this re-
public--is TO be welcomed
They are now suffering the bitter re-
suits Of their own folly. They have fol-
lowed after false gods: they have allow
cd themselves To be deceived; they have
misuscd their power; they have bowed
at the shrine Of Mammon. And now
they are rcaping the fruits Of their
blindness. Well will il be for them. in
the days that are yet to come, If expe-
rience teaches them the truth and
brings them to the endorsement Of those
principles Of equality. justice and hon
esty that are the basis Of Democracy.
Meanwhile The great object lessons by
their folly is giving daily and hourly
exhibitions In Washington, at the White
House and in the halls Of Congress
Eighteen months from now there ought
not to be found an honest man in the
country willing to support the Republic
can party.