Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-11-17
THE LESSON OF THE ELECTIONS

THE LESSON OF THE ELECTIONS
1t is only after the smoke has fully
cleared away that one can form an
accurate opinion of the results Of the
battle. During the progress of the
fight, no time is given to quiet retiec-
ton. In number OF states elections
have been held, the votes counted
and tie results ascertained. The
policy of President Mckinley had
been much criticized. BY many it
had been strongly condemned and
the last election was looked forward
70 as the first indication Of popular
opinion. Ohio is a state, where pop
Slar opinion frequently changes and
one which the democrats frequently
carry, especially in off years when
there is popular dissatisfaction. The
democrats put mp fine fight, but
tonight against odds 1t was almost
a necessity for the friends of McKin-
ley to carry that state, for a dereat
there would greatly weaken, if not
altogether destroy McKiDley's chance
for a denomination; consequently
an extra effort was put forth by the
the republican party. OfficehOlders,
in other states, were appealed to to
contribute funds to carry on this
campaign. An effort second not even
10 that of Presidential year was put
forth, and the result was great
republican victory, one which settles
the question and secures for Mchin-
ley, a denomination by the republican
convention. While this great battle
was waged, another for a similar
prize was in progress in the state Of
Nebraska. For this state to 90 for
the republicans, would iniure, if not
entirely destroy the chance Of VIM.
Jennings Bry.n securing the nOmina.
ton of the Democratic party. Bryan
himself took the lead and all the
aInetism OF his nature, rs well rs
every oratorical GIFT, was used to Sc
cure the success of the fusion of pop
ulists, free silver republicans aud
democrats. His success, while it does
not secure his nomination, keeps him
before the people, with far pros
pect.
AS strange as it may appear to
some, the leading republicans of the
country wanted Bryan to succeed in
Nebraska, for the reason that if
Bryan had lost, his prospect for a re-
nomination would have been destroy.
ed, and the Democratic party would
nominate a stronger man upon
a better platform and would have
given them much harder fight.
Taking this view OF the subject the
results in Oaic and Nebra ska may be
regarded as favorable to the Repub-
hcans.
In Maryland, the result shows that
while many democrats had by their
votes transferred the control of their
state as well as their electoral ticket
to the republicans, they were ever
ready to return TO their first love and
place the democratic banner over
Maryland, if they could do so with
out endorsing BrYanism.
Maryland was again placed in the
democratic column, and will probably
remain there, unless the next cam
paign be conducted upon the 1896
issues.
The election in Kentucky shows
that It is doubtful state. Although
Bryan canvassed part of it, local,
instead of national, issues governed
the contest. Goebel, as was alleged,
secured his nomination by fraudulent
methods. Avery respectable part of
the democratic party, on this account,
formed an Independent party. The
fight became so bitter that many of
the independents, like many OF the
National democrats in 1896, deter
mined to cast their votes where they
would count most and voted for the
republican candidate. 1t was a local
fight and the result cannot fairly be
considered of Importance in the Ma
tionaI contest With a pure, old
time, democratic platform and nomi-
nee, Kentucky could be safely placed
in the democratic column.
The results in Iowa and Massachu-
setts indicate that the great mass of
the republican party endorse the i'm
perialism and expansion policy of the