New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-13
A TILE TO LOOK AHEAD.

Sometimes the pockets of the people elect a
President, and sometimes their consciences.
When there is Il clearly defined sense of duty
the American people hardly ever vote against
1t. When that motive is not compelling but
millions can see that their prosperity depends
on the result, they rarely decide against
their own interests But when the sense Of
duty and the sense Of personal interest both
pull the same way the end is not in doubt.
Events have been steadily shaping to give the
Presidential contest Of next year that charac-
ter. The wisest efforts Of the President and
the silliest blunders Of demagOgues work to-
gether TO the same result the herOsm Of Amer
lean soldiers and the tricks Of Aguinado the
far reaching plans Of great fnanciers and the
folly Of financial cranks. Unless controlling
conditions strangely alter the people are likely
TO have a solemn sense Of duty committing
them to the same course which their material
interests imperatively require.
1t is clear that the people cannot without
shame and crime now cast off the responsible
ties placed upon them by Spanish withdrawal
from the Philippines, Cuba and Porto Rico. To
lower the flag before armed insurgents, leaving
a minority to Cypress a majority. would he in
fanny and yet not more than to abandon the
fore competent and trustworthy government
could be established. The Instruction may be
ended soon, but any establishment of order and
good government in the Philippines or in Cuba
by act of the inhabitants will in all human
probability be impossible within year. It is
well to face the fact that the people of this
country will have TO choose next year, as they
did this year. whether they will turn their backs
,l.a IFNft Ad Tot in
famous among nations The issue may change
In form but, unless by something like miracle,
cannot change in essential character within
twelvemonth. 1t will still be as much duty as
II is now to stand by the Government and up
hold the flag. sustaining the maintenance OF
United States authority over the entire territory
relinquished by Spain until the United States Is
fully satisfied that its great responsibilities can
he safely and honorably committed to a local
government
1t is even more plain that industrial and
business reasons of the most weghty character
will forbid National change of policy one
year hence. The tremendous expansion Of in
dustres upon which the country has entered
cannot be so far completed within a year that
its financial difficulties, ever likely TO grow
more serious toward the close, can be safely
overcome with all markets disturbed by revo
luton In the fiscal and economic policy of the
Nation. 1t was seen In 1892 how suddenly con-
fdence was destroyed when the prospect Of
such change was faced; how money by the
hundred millions shrank away into hiding
places or went abroad; how undertakings half
finished were abandoned and pending contracts
were dropped. But the country then had In
progress no Industrial or business changes at
all comparable with those which will inevitably
result from the operations Of the last year.
The extension Of railways and other lines of
transportation, the building Of many hundred
manufacturing establishments. the formation Of
business connections with mines and forests
and plantations Of the islands formerly Span
ish. the settlement Of economic conditions by