The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-21

Total change since 1896. ,951
The wonderful victory Of November was
chiefly won in these eight counties. where
one-half the vote was cast and where silver
was little discussed. !: has not been the
opinion of the post-Intelligeucer, nor OF any
Washington newspaper or public speak
err nor OF the Republican campaign man
agement. that success was to be achieved
by declaring that silver Republicans are
dolts and ignoramuses, but Il has been
thought that the true method was TO con-
vince them that the barrier between them
and Republicans no longer exists or is o;
small consequence. II was question of
practical politics. and the result entirely
justitles the course pursued.
Let us see how constant hammerlng
away at elemental principles without re-
gard to their pertinence or tiuleliness or
real Importance has enabled the Oregon
Ian to win victories in oregon. The Oregon
Ian has at times boosted that 1t began dis
cussion of the money question twenty odd
years ago, and il has hewed TO the line
ever since without regard to the falling OF
the chips In 1878 Thayer. a Democrat, was
elected governor In 1856 and IN 1880 PEN
IoStE, DS!ilutTdt, ana Il UdtiDfAi H1L
money leader. was elected governor. each
time by a round majority. In 1896. in the
very height Of the financial discussion,
Penuoyer, still a noisy silver aSitator. was
chosen mayor in Republican Portland by
large plurality. In 1875 Mitchell, free
silver Republican, was elected senator He
was reelected in 1891. and in 1897 had
clear ma iorisy OF the legislature ana was
beaten only by the desperate and revolu-
tionary tactics of a minority that prevent
cd organization OF the legislature In
1926 Dolph was beaten by Republicans for
reelection as se-:tor solely because he had
avowed views on the financial question IN
accord with the Oregoniau. The Repub-
llcan state conventions Of Oregon repeated
IL declared for free silver. while the ore
eon!an always opposed II. They adopted
the Minneapolis bimetalllsm straddIe IN
the spring OF 1885. at time when the Re
publican state convention of Washington
had declared for the gold standard and
against free silver. They never dill adopt
sound money plank until the spring Of
iSas. two years after the national Repub-
ucan policy had been declared at ST.
Louis, and then for the first time in their
whole history they found themselves in
accord with the Oregoniaa. But they did
not follow the Oregonian. They distinctly
followed the st. Louis convention. It IL
safe +, say that the Republicans Of Ore
gon 3 ould have been bowling FOR free sill
yer today IL the national convention had
not blAzed a trail they could not refuse to
follow.
So much for newspaper influence
The Oregouian Is shining example of
thar particular variety OF journalistic fol
" that advocates certain principles anl
refuses 10 adopt the most available and
practicable means Of carrying them into
effect Il Is not sufficient % declare that
sound money candidates should be sent %
congress. II is a Republican newspaper :
duty 10 uphold ana support every honor
able ana reasonable effort 70 send them
there. The Oregorisr has always done the
FIRST: II has not always done the last. ard
therein it has entirely failed to do l:s whole
duty.