The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-03
THE ELECTIONS.

The exnected revolt against the ten
dency of the Republican party, as re-
vaaIed by its acts at the special ses-
sion of congress, has come. The cleo
tons held yesterday show everywhere
q tremendous falling off in the Repub-
Itcan vote. The returns tell the story
of popular disgust with the party
which abandoned the issue on which
if carried the country one year ago,
in order to perform the bidding of mo-
nonolies and trusts. Never did any po-
litical organization better deserve the
rebuke that it has received. And yet
It's cup of offending is not full.
We do not believe that it is eXag-
gerating or over-stating the fact to say
that the Republican party yesterday
deliberately threw away whatever
chance it may have had of electing the
next president in order TO prevent Seth
Low from being elected mayor of New
York. 1t has defeated him, but at
what a cost. 1t has turned over the
city and state to the opposition, and
given to Tammany the tremendous
power of the patronage of the mu-
nicipality of Greater New York. That
this was deliberately done by the or
ders of Platt seconded by all the as
sistance that the national administra-
ton could give. has been advertised
to the whole country. Platt feared the
breakdown of his machine. Mckinley
feared in Seth Low a possible rival for
the presidential nomination. From the
lowest motives known to politics, they
brought every agency known to party
warfare to bear upon him and have
compassed his defeat. Like Samson,
they have, we believe, pulled down the
pillars of their temple in order to Stay
their enemy.
We have advocated the election of
Low. because we believe that municipal
issues should stand apart from nation
al parties and issues, and because he
promised to give the people of Greater
New York an honest government. We
rejoice in the lesson which his can
didacy has taught the country; that
there are men of character, of reputa-
ton, and of the highest requirements
who are ready to place themselves at
the command of the people when duty
calls. 1t has been a magnificent, an
inspiring campaign. That it has ended
as it did is the shame of the voters of
New York. That they should have
preferred the rule of the machine, the
return to a corrupt administration of
their local affairs, rather than the sway
of patriotism and integrity, proves
only that they are not yet wholly fit
for self government. This fault they
will eXpiate at a fearful cost. The
friends of reform everywhere will not
be discouraged. To truth belong the
eternal years of God. A temporary re-
verse is nothing to those who fight
with eyes fixed upon the only, the final
event of things, where right must
triumph
But the Plat Mckinley machine
has bought its victory at a heavy
price 1t has blazoned it's shame to
the farthest corners Of the republic. 1t
has taught Republicans that they
must bow to the will of the bosses. 1t
has said that its success means the per-
sistence of the lowest forces in Ameri-
can public life. 1t has proclaimed that
the worst candidate of a machine, be
he Republican or Democrat, is better
than tribune of the people. That
lesson will recoil upon it with ire
mendous effect. 1t has already turned
over the state of New York to the op-
position. There are other states, nor
mally Republican, which will vote
with the Democratic party because of
Platt's open trade with Tammany, in
dorsed by the administration at Wash
ington. For the Democratic party