The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-07
TODAY,s ELECTIONs.


The balloting of today In the various
states In which elections are in progress
will determine much as to the immediate
political future. We do not today depend
for direction as to probable political re-
suits upon by-elections at all in the de-
gree in which such dependence existed
at any time from five to twenty years
ago. This year, however, the lines of
antagonism between the two great polit-
ical divisions of the American people
have been marked so broadly that to-
days results must necessarily be taken
as indicating in very decisive way what
the trend of public sentiment Is.
There can be little doubt that the issue
Of imperialism. by its Intrinsic tmpor-
lance, has forced itself to the front as the
controlling question In this years cleo
TONS President Mckinley was quick to
grasp the thought and equally quick TO
give 1t practical application by trans
forming his recent trip throughout the
Northwest for the reception of the re-
turning soldiery into political stump
ing tour AS imperialism has advanced
into the public view free silver appears
to have receded. AS Mr.. Bryan very
succinctly put the situation In one of his
speeches in Iowa, there are many Demo-
cratic voters, especially among the for
eign-Dorn population. who entirely failed
to understand the financial issue raised
in 1896. But there is no class Of voter,
least of all the foreigr-born voter, who Is
liable to misapprehend the significance
of the establishment of a standing army
or of the acquisition by armed force by
the United States of the territory of
other peoples.
The greatest interest naturally attaches
to the Ohio contest. There the result Is
NEST uncertain. Ex-Gov. Foster. Of that
state, is quoted as admitting that Nash,
if elected governor, will be elected by a.
minority vote. Even if such result is
accomplished it will be an overwhelming
defeat of imperialism. In Greater New
York the result appears to have been
placed practically beyond question by
the palpable dishonesty underlying the
work of the Mazet investigation commit
tee, In Kentucky. the conditions seem to
be too unsettled to justify the expression
of any definite judgment, although the
| indications point to the success of Goe-
bells candidacy. In Iowa, while the issue
! has been fought out very clearly on i'm
| perialism, the return on election day of
! the Iowa volunteers will, no doubt, re-
| suit in placing the Democratic candidacy
somewhat at a disadvantage Pennsyl-
vania is to be regarded, Of course, as a
hopelessly submerged state. There tho
good fight against Quayism is being
fought by the united forces of Democracy
and decent Republcanism. Notwith-
standing Gov. Pattfsons victories Of q
few years ago, Democrats have no intelli-
gent reason for expecting any good to
come out Of that state presently. The
trusts and the political crooks are evil
IDENTIFY impregnabIe in Pennsylvania,
which impregrabiltty represents one Of
TIE political blessings which we have de-
rived from protectionism.
Whether the results shall be satisfac-
tory to Democrats or otherwise, the war
against imperialism and the domination
of the trust oligarchy must go on If
American institutions are to continue
devoted to the great ends formulated by
their founders.