The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-22
A PERIOD OF GREAT POLITICS.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
In the history of America the political
events of the years from 1856 to 1900 must
always occupy "A place of foremost impor-
tance. In 1896, after long Icriod of bus
mess and industrial paralysis and disas-
ter, the American people were brought
face to face with an issue of the cur
rency STANDARD, vital to the prosperity OF
the republic Immediately and permanent
ly. 1t was the first time in the history of
popular government that such a question,
involving a fundamental principle of
finance, had been referred for settlement
to vast body of independent voters.
Artful and shameful and tallacious argu-
ments appealing TO sordid self interest
were used to induce them to favor the de-
basement of the monetary standard, at
the cost of the national honor and credit,
on the ground that by such a debaselnent
debts owed would be reduced by about
one-half. But they were unsuccessful.
By far the largest aggregate and pro-
portionate vote ever pOlled was cast at
the election, and the majority for honesty
was great. Defeat, however, did not
deter the party of virtual repudiation
from pursuing it's efforts. With excep-
tions in three or four states only, 1t has
clung TO it's shan eful policy ever since,
and nowhere have its conventions re-
jected positively the platform proposing
the policy.
The defeat In 1896 of that concerted ana
tremendous effort TO bring about virtual
repudiation, staining forever the honor
and the credit of the American name re-
suited in the Inauguration of an admin
istration which for the first time dealt de-
Cisively with a question that for more
than fifty years had caused disturbance
and great injury to this country. Spain
zI.,g..
from its last foothold in this hemisphere,
n center of pestilence was brought under
the publication of modern civilization,
and liberty was carried to "a seat of
medieval tyranny and cruelty. Mi
dentally to this rescue another population
far away in the Pacific ocean, on the
other side of the globe, was rescued from
tho same oppression, and islands of i'm
mense wealth and natural resources were
added to the regions which modern enter
prise and enlightenment are developing.
for the enrichment of the commerce Of
civilization, after centuries of despoil-
ment and restriction. These achievements
of the last six months have put upon the
American people at this time RESPONSE
bilities whose consequences will extend
to the remotest future They have intro
duced a new era for this country. raised
our politics into worldwide Importance,
and given dignity to this generation OF
Americans in all foreign eyes which their
predecessors never possessed The mag
nitude of the questions brought into our
politics dwarfs into something like pro-
vincal insignifiCance issues which once
seemed large and great.
All these questions are I'm II Is canvass,
and they will remain for final settlement
by the American people until they are
disposed of in the national election of
1900. They are here now, the only uues-
tions deserving of serious Considera ton
and they will remain here until that eec-
ton is decided. First is the question OF
the currency, whether we shall preserve
il in conformity to that of civilization and
enlightened finarCe, or shall outlaw this
nation as a nation of rcpUdiators and wild
destroyerS of their national prosperity.
That question is as much before the peo-
pie now as il was in 1896. and it will con-
tinue TO be at the fore until the election
of 1900. The questions growing out of the
war are of a tremendous Importance of
which every citizen is fully conscious
Shall the war have been in vain, shall the
death and suffering be left to go unrecom-
pensed, or shall the price eXacted and OBJ
tained for all this heroic sacrifice be the
extension of the power and wealth of the
nation and of civilization for which IL was
expended? Every man who votes at the
coming election will vote on that uues-
tion. and it's decision will depend on the
result. lie will not vote upon issues con-
cerning his state alone, but on issues vital
to all the states and involving the honor
dignity, and glory of the future of his
country.