The record-union., 1897-08-29

been cast, he can have no political mo-
tive now. The assurance that prompts
the writer of this disquisition is simply
that of absolute freedom to express his
untutored political and social views
from a standpoint as near that of alb
solute independence as any man could
attain. He believes all deception des-
picable, and can have no possible OBJ
ject in any twisting of phrases or modi-
flying of clauses.
In the campaign of 1896 there was no
issue involved that appealed TO the
hearts of the great majority of the
people, save that of hearty desire for
a change of administration, hoping for
relief. To this emphatic desire the Re-
publican party may certainly ascribe
its victory. although, as between the
free coinage Of silver and the tariff
questions, it probably stood an equal
chance with the, Democratic party.
Notwithstanding the revival of the
tariff question by the candidacy of Mr..
Mckinley, and the immense mountain
of discussion verbal and printed, with
which it was kept in continual agita-
ton, the masses of the people were not
inspired with any degree of fervor for il
or for the Republican party on its ac-
count BY many it was not understood,
by few indeed was it comprehended, by
none was ii considered especially per-
tinent Except by politicians), and it
nearly passed out of sight in the great
er interest taken in the money problem.
The silver coinage question was mole
hill which discussion and printers ink
exaggerated into a mountain that will
prove as unstable as those of the mir
ages of its native territories.
1t is not the intention to enter here
a disqusition upon either the tariff or
the free coinage of silver topics, furth-
er than TO assign to them their real sig
nificance and value. The tariff ques-
ton is one that has been taken up from
time to time in the nations history, by
politicians, and has repeatedly been
dropped to pass out of sight and con-
sideration when real and pertinent
questions arose. 1t never was and it
never can be adapted to any interests
but those Of a sectional and a tempor-
airy kind In its very nature it savors
of retrogressive rather than of pro-
superficialness are everywhere recog-
nized by advanced thinkers 1t was
born in times of weakness and uncer-
tainty and has been nurtured upon the
timidity of greedy capitalists and mon
ey-getters. 1t does not protect, and the
word protectiOniSts, as applied to its
deciples, is a conspicuous misnomer. To
apply to ii a fitting simile, for the sake
of brevity, the tariff or protective
ground of the Republican politicians is
a small island in the midst of deluge
1t is to be submerged in the next swell.
The war-cry, or properly speaking,
the campaign cry of the Democratic
party was a more pertinent, but less
popular slogan, than that of the Re
pubEcans. 1t was genuine cry of
distress, but 1t appealed to those in dis
tress only, and it was therefore ifnpo-
tent. 1t was the appeal of the chill
dren of Israel in bondage but their
Moses and Aaron, and their great cap
tains had not yet been commissioned
by the Lord of Hosts. Besides this. on
these disadvantages, the heavy burden
of a defunct incubus was upon them
and it was more than they could bear.
The silver-coinage or any other coin
age question does not fit the sentiment
of the times. 1t was thunder in the
West and promised rain to scorching
Sahara, and that was all. The yellow
dryness and unprOmising aspect Of the
sky elsewhere gave the Western mir
age its temporary, pleasing prestige: it
was only made so by contrast The
intelligence of the United States was at
no time deceived by the political bonn
bast of 1886 Neither capital nor la
Dor believed what was preached. Polf-
ticians fought the battle and nothing
was Won. The people voted. but had
nothing to vote for
There was no sincere enthusiasm
manifested over the result of the cleo
ton. There was demonstra ton. as
must be upon any event of national
scope and bearing amongst sixty mill
lions of people. but this could not be
and is not mistaken for rejoicing. In
all the expressions of victorious parti-
sans there was and is no assuring in
spiration. On the contrary the tur-
moil and babbel of the campaign is
succeeded by the feeling of certainty
that the traditions of national policy
W NCiS hSlNiltI lOllUMeu, amended nor set
tied. and there is a
Long, low, distant murmur of dread
sound,
Such as arises when a nation bleeds."
1t is not the object of this paper to
presage calamity, and the writer be-
lieves that his sentences will not be
misconstrued. There is less danger in
the exaggeration of threatened ills. than
in being either blind or silent to i'm
pending calamities. In national AFFAIR.".
under the conditions of the present day,
which make it possible for the general
distribution of intelligence with such
wonderful dispatch and facility, there
is no policy in deception. and little
chance for deception in the most ex-
travagant prediction.
In the history of the world there
never was $50 mighty a nation or so
great people so intimately unified and
united. The broad realm comprised in
the United States is a unit in the tru-
est sense to be applied to nationality.
Its population is not made up of iso-
lated tribes, and its polity may now
safely be said to have fairly amalga-
mated and consolidated all the elements
entering its open portals. There is no
sectional strife. no question of terri
torial jurisdiction within its boarders.