The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-06
The Great Opportunity Tomorrow.

For the election OF tomorrow there was
a diminished registration OF voters In the
city Of New York, as compared with past
elections during recent years, probably
because citizens OF narrow and superficial
view regarded 1t OF less Importance than
usual, as being apart from the contests
which affect great questions and issues of
national politics. No election in New York,
more especially since 1896, has been with
out such consequence. however and that
OF tomorrow, taking place only one year
before the momentous national election to
occur In 1900. will actually be OF signal ma
tlonal Importance. or rather 1t should have
been made so by the registration OF every
Intelligent elector In the greater New York.
To the shame and disgrace OF New York,
which should always be the leader in the
protection Of the national honor and credit,
as 1t Is the financial and commercial leader
Of America, IL has neglected steadily its
duty and failed to exercise its proper func.
ton as such at the elections which already
have succeeded that OF 500 when, for once,
It nobly sustained the financial integrity
and security OF the Nation. upon which its
own prosperity depends. In 1898, to its
lasting dishonor. 1t defeated every candi-
date for Congress who pledged himself to
the support OF the single gold standard and
elected an entire delegation which will be
counted on the other side. with the
consequence that the gold majority in the
House OF Representatives in the coming
Congress will be narrow. The great COM
mercial and financial capital Of America
will not have single spokesman In that
body to proclaim and defend its convir-
tions and interests, so closely bound up with
the gold standard. The State OF New York
will be represented by two Senators who
will baltic resolutely for gold, but IL the
great majority of the voters OF the city OF
New York had had their way and the State
lad not withstood them successfully, its
financial interests would have had no de.
fence In the Senate also.
Tomorrow, 1t is true. Congressman are
not to be elected, but there still enters into
the election a national issue Of supreme
Importance, which should be an animating
and a controlling influence with every
American. more especially with the citizens
ofNew York. Itneeds no argument to prove
TO any intelligent man that more than any
other community of the Union New York's
welfare is vitality concerned in the national
expansion which has come from the war
with Spain. Its own full and proper develop
ment depends upon successful persistence
in the policy OF expansion upon which the
National Administration has entered; vet
how many OF the men who have made
ready to vote tomorrow have risen to any
adequate conception Of it's inestimable value
TO the whole Republic and particularly TO
New York? II this city had anything like
IN intelligent understanding Of its own in
terests and its vital concern In the success
az that policy Of territorial and commercial
expansion, throwing aside all thought OF
every issue, it would return tomorrow
sweeping Republican majority.
We do not need to urge the readers OF
THE Sun to discharge their duty Of voting
tomorrow, hut we may set them to think
Ing more seriously OF the grave and special
Importance OF an election at this time,
in view Of the tremendous Importance
of the questions and problems now before
the American people for settlement; and
we may profltably remind them OF the priv
iIege and opportunity they will enjoy OF
helping to shape the future OF their country
and give higher and grander dignity to
American citizenship. That is the feeling
with which every elector should 20 to the
ballot hOx tO-mOrrow