Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-11-02
ALLEGED APATHY OF VOTERS.
What Republicans Have Done Once
They Ought to be Able to Do
Again,

The report that comes from nearly ey-
cry quarter regarding the political cam
paign is that there is a condition of apa-
thy among people Of all parties. This al
legged apathy is apparent rather than real
1t one may judge from the results of the
completed registrations IN some of the
large cities and from the reports of pOliti-
cal meetings in many localities. There
has been so much of excitement over the
war and the great questions to which it
has given rise that it may be that the
people have wearied a little of public af-
fairs and seem to be apathetic, when in
fact they desire rest and time to adjust
their business affairs to the condition Of
renewed activity and prosperity which is
upon them. Certain it is that the meet
ings of the Republicans Of Wisconsin, es-
pecially those addressed by Senator
Spooner, Mr.. Quarles, Mr.. Fethers, MI.
Esch, Mr.. Hicks and others, have not
been lacking IN numbers and enthusiasm;
and there are many evidences that the
returns from election day will show that
Republicans fully comprehended the i'm
portance of the questions before the coun-
try and early made up their minds as to
what their action should be.
Encouraging reports of prospective Re
publican victories come from different
portions of the state. For instance, it is
said that the Republicans will carry ev-
cry county in the Seventh Ga Crosse)
congressional district, and if other dis
trlctS do anywhere near as we'll as they
did two years ago Wisconsin will again
nave a solid delegation in the lower
House of Congress. Republicans must
not expect a repetition of the wonderful
successes of two years ago-that in some
respects was an exceptional contest, but
while 1t may not be repeated as to plural
1tleS, every voter who believes that he
acts from principle and that a principle
is immortal, should not fail 20 strive to
make the popular verdict this year as en-
phatlc as 1t was then. Let no one wait
Tor as to what is the pros
pect, but Go all that is hOnOrably possible
TO secure the triumph of the principles
which he maintains, and that by a major
1ty which will carry with it a lesson so
effective that political cranks and unprin-
clpled partlSans will stand COMPOUNDED
and silenced. The battle for principle is
ever new, and he who has enlisted in
me cause must not expect ever to put off
ms armor or rest from the conflict.
That Republicans may be encouraged
IN entering this conflict they need recall
what, with the aid of the sound-money
Democrats, they accomplished two years
ago. Then they gave the whole Repub-
bean ticket, from President down, the
largest majority ever received in the
state. They carried the state Senate by
70 TO 4, including the hOld-over senator's,
and the House by 81 to 8. What they
did once they ought to be able to do
again. since the principles are the same
and they have practically the same allies.
If every voter sees to it tina his indiyid-
ual duty is performed the returns will
show no "apathy'-indeed, word comes
from Congressman Babcock, chairman of
the Republican congressional committee,
tnat indifference is disappearing. and
there IS no doubt that the Republicans
VIII carry the House by a good majority
if the full vote is cast.