The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-02-11
THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR
DEFEAT.

1t is perhaps a little early 20 point
out all the consequences ofthe Demo
cratic defeat at the last election. One
thing seems to be certain, it has given
a new lease of power to that party
that has such grip upon the finances
of our country, that they are able to
create a boom or panic at their
pleasure.
Business started up in all sections
of our country. Fires were kindled
in many manufacturing establishments
that had long stood idle, proving con-
clusively that business may be done
at a profit, under tariff which they
denounced as so destructive of
American commerce. This boom in
business has taken place without any
change in the tariff or the financial
policy of our government. 1t is SIM
ply boom got up to order, by those
who have it in their power to make
business brisk or otherwise as they
deem most expedient.
Our Republican friends tell ius,
that the election of Mckinley has
restored confidence, so that people
feel safe in doing business.
1t would be interesting to know in
what this confidence consists. Are
they confident that the Mckinley
tariff will be restored
That is not likely to be the case,
and il is hardly wise for the party in
power to attempt to force such a
measure, as it has been twice repudi-
ated by the people. If such a bill
were passed, it would probably be
approved by the president elect. Nc
Kinley was raised on projection diet,
he thinks Of nothing else when awake
and when asleep he talks about it.
When the Mckinley tariff was in
force it failed to bring about the pros
perity promised, and it utterly failed
as a revenue measure. Confidence
must rest on something else.
Are they confident that the gold
standard will be indefinitely maintain
ed
If their promise is worth anything,
they intend to bring about BIZ
metallic standard if possible by inter
national agreement.
In what then does this confidence
consist ?
If l may be allowed to express an
opinion, should say, that they are
confident that for four years at least,
they will be unmolested IN their pious
work of forming trusts and combines
to extort money from the people. In
that time they may easily make up
the three million dollars which they
are reported to have spent to secure
the election of Mckinley, and have
something left to enter the next cam
paign with. l give it as my opinion,
that honest men or honest parties will
not spend money to secure the cleo
ton of their favorites.
The fact that moneyis being lavish
ly expended to secure the election of
any individual or party, is prima facie
evidence, that those who furnish the
cash, expect to get it back with usury.
We are justihable in regarding with
suspicion, those who are willing to
buy their way to political preferment.
The person who sells his vote and the
one who buys it, should upon convic-
ton thereof be forever disfranchlsed.
1t will perhaps be charged, that this is
common thing, that it is done by
both parties.
Admitting the charge to be correct,
it does not better the matter. All
lovers ofgood and honest government
should join in their efforts to make it
uncommon, and not only uncommon
but odious.
If the money that was expended
during the last campaign, had been
used in some useful and legitimate
calling, it would have done more to
stop the cry of hard times, than the
success of any candidate in the field
has done or could DO.