The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-09
THE OREGON ELECTION AND WAR.

J overthrow of the majorities in tn,
Democratic and Populist strongholds i
Southern and Eastern Oregon" 1t aiSt
accounts for the Republican victory by
saving that the Democratic candidates
discussed 1.-The war Issue, promising t.
vote against the administration and
bonds and thereby lost popularity II
was hoped by the silver forces that il
would be possible to overcome Mchir-
lcys majority in 1896, but the gains
were the other way.
1t would seem from this election that
the expected has happened. There has
hardly been a time in history when the
party in power did not win during a
war. There may be serious divisions
about economic questions, but the ma
iority of people vote for the party that
represents the administration. 1t was
this feeling in Oregon that gave that
State to the Republicans by large ma
jority.
The Democrats in Congress- who were
strong advocates of war, did so from the
highest motives of patriotism, realizing
that war would not work to the benefit
of their party. Such patriotism has not
been displayed by any political party
in this generation. The result in Oregon
does not imply that the Republicans viii.
control the next Congress. The election
merely gave them another lease on what
they already have. AS long as the war
continues the Republicans will have n
chance that their trust tariff and gold
policy had destroyed. With this knowl-
edge. how soon will the men now under
arms be allowed to return to peaceful
pursuits?
This advantage to the Republicans will
be found to he temporary. The misman
agement of the war in its early stages
has entailed sufferings and discomforts
unnumbered upon the brave volunteers.
Most of this has been due to the inef-
ficiency of the ''sons of their daddies,
who have been appointed to important
positions. The real soldiers are tired of
the favoritism displayed. The worst IS
yet to come. The bond syndicate, specu-
lators and land-grabbers are moving
heaven and earth to lengthen the war
in order, first, to get bonds; second, to
give a fat time to the spectators and
army contractors; third, the land-grab-
beers are determined to commit this gov
eminent to the policy of territorial ag-
gressions. The first two are wholly base
and low, and can be met. The last APP
peals to national pride and enlists the
support of very many who are attracted
by the idea of Government on whose
dominion the sun never sets. 1t looks
glorious to conquer and hold islands, but
there is death in the pot. 1t cannot be
done by self-governing Republic. When
the United States takes possession of the
Philippine islands, which God forbid ex-
cept as security for war indemnity, the
Republic will exist only in name.
The reaction is bound to come. If the
people see underneath the curtain there
will be revulsion before Fall. The Ore
gon Republicans were fortunate in vot
ing before the inefficiency and favoritism
that characterize this war are widely
known BY November, unless the poll
ticians can keep up the war that long,
the people will smite Republcanism hip
and thigh.
Evidences like the following will multi
ply. In speech in Congress on Tues
day, Mr.. Gaines, of Tennessee, read the
following editorial from a New York
paper:
The glorious exit of the Merrimac
from the United States navy should not
distract attention from its anything but
glorious entrance.
year ago the Merrimac, then the
Norwegian tramp steamer Soveig, was
bought for $4,000 She was rebuilt and
this brought her total cost up to 1892
o.. She was offered to the Government
early in April, but was rejected by the
Board of Auxiliary Cruisers.
Then she was sent to Baltimore, and
at the request Of politician special
agents" from Washington came down
and bought her for $342, 900.
Cost OF Merrimac. .......... .S102,0 900
Price the Government paid. -. $4,000
Government swindled out of .$150,000
And she was selected as Cervera's
cork out of all the feet of transports be-
cause she was worthless to the navy in
every other way.
This is the first conspicuous, but not
the first public example of the business
side of a Handkerchief war"
This news has not reached Oregon.
While everybody is congratuIating
Trinity college upon its recent good for
tune, and deserved fortune. too, there
are many citizens of Raleigh who are
hoping that some generous Baptist will
he moved to give enough to complete the
Baptist University, and generous Epis-
copalians to give literally to the pur-
chase of ST Mary's school. Rich men