New-York tribune., 1898-10-01
IN UPHILL CAMPAIGN.


1t would he idle to attempt TO deny or conceal
the fact that the Republican party is heavily
handicapped this year in its efforts TO retain
control Of the National House of Representa-
tves and regain ascendency in the United States
Senate A failure in either case would be a ca
lamity almost as great as would have been the
election Of peace" Congress in 1864 Not
only would the fruits of the, magnificent victory
of two years ago he placed in peril and fresh
and perhaps stronger invasion Of the free-silver,
socialistic forces that followed and fought under
the Bryan banner In 1898 be Invited. but the le-
eihma.e results Of the most successful and In
some respects the most glorious war In Ameri-
can history would be nufed and wasted That
the danger is real and imminent every well-in-
formed observer of current political events and
opinion in the Republican party, from President
Mckinley down clearly realizes. 1t has been
deeply impressed on the minds OF the officers
and members Of the Republican Congressional
Committee who are in close touch with the sup
porters Of the Administration throughout the
country as we'll as upon the consciousness OF
Republican party managers in many States and
Congress districts.
The causes of danger are not difficult TO per-
ceive First and foremost. and probably most
eerlous Of all. is n widespread belief among
sound money men and supporters of the Admin
istration and its policies. so far as the latter
have been outlined and are understood, that no
danger exists: that the patriotic citizens Of the
Republic will all 90 10 the polls without urging
or even nudge and win an easy victory. In
short. they believe and many Of them say and
insist. that "the campaign will run itself" and
that defeat is impossible. Chairman Babcock
and his lieutenants who are already in the thick
of the fight and know every inch Of the ground,
say and insist that the belief is mistaken one
and IL persisted in will inevitably lead 10 a ca
lamitous result. With such momentous issues
as are at stake In the pending campaign II GER
tainly is safer and wiser to heed the warnings
Of men who led the party 10 victory in the hotly
foucht contests Of 1894 and 1896 than To cherish
the delusion that party or principle will win
at the polls because II deserves success. Gen
eral Apathy Is the commander most 10 be feared
by the supporters Of the Administration In this
campaign. He has lulled them into false sense
Of security: they are not only ndsposed TO exert
themselves but are unwilling TO furnish the
sinews ~ war 10 enable others who are alive tt
the situation 10 put forth efforts that are neces-
sary and vital to success.
or course. there are other causes Of danger
This IS an of year" and some men say and
perhaps think ii is safe and appropriate time
FOR them 10 satisfy their personal grudees.
good many Republicans arc doing or threatening
10 do so this year. seemingly oblivious OF the
fact that defeat in the Congress elections OF 1898
will make It all the more difficult. II not actually
impcssbe. to win victory in 1900. They also
seem blind to the fact that an adverse majority
in the LyIth Congress or either branch Of It,
vould not only desire but be able to thwart the
generous and just policies of the Administration
and befoul the achievements and results Of the
war with the slime Of partisanshp. They seem
absolutely unable ia comprehend that II the rich
and legitimate fruits OF the war with Spain are