Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-11-08
PROSPERITY

liC hoHA Va SO'S f
a glorious Republican victory in the
nation. OF the election of Mchin-
ley and Roosevelt there is not the
shadow of a doubt, and the posslblI-
tiles are that the proportions OF the
victory will amount to a landslide.
When the triumph is so overwheIm-
ing, a few electoral votes more or
less do not cut much figure. Bryan
has carried the solid South, Colorado
and Montana, and possibly a few
other states; but the great states
which elected Mckinley in 1896 have
remained steadfast, and others which
went for Bryan four years ago have
taken their place IN the Republican
column.
This victory was fully anticipated
by the most intelligent and conserv-
ative portion Of our people. Never
theless there was unq~uestionably a
feeling of nervousness in business
and industrial circles over the posi-
bility of a change in the national adj
ministration. The opposition was
making a desperate fight; Mr.. Bry-
ans oratory was seductive with a
certain class, and the new issue Of
neutrality-suspicious. was an unknown
quantity. No one could exactly esti-
mate its force in turning voters away
from the administration responsible
for the Philippine and Porto Rican
policy.
But it turns out that there was
really no danger. The American
people are as sound upon a question
that concerns the national honor as
they are upon questions that affect
the nations financial integrity and
business prosperity. Patriotic voters
could see no way out of the compli-
cations into which the Wal with Spain
plunged US other than the course
which President Mckinley pursued
in reference to our new possessions,
consistent with the dignity and honor
OF the nation. Honest voters, as a
rule, could see no other way, consist
ent with national integrity and sol
vency, than to maintain the gold
standard as the basis Of our currency.
These two forces, combined with gem
eral satisfaction with restored pros.
perity, served to overcome Mr., Bry-
ans captivating sophistries and to
relegate him to a second defeat.
The American people, in re-electing
President Mckinley, have in effect
proclaimed the issue of prosperity
paramount" and have duly in
dorsed it.
Under the inspiration of the yer,
dict of this election. which i~nsures
another four years of safe and sound
administration, we may expect to see
the country renew the onward march
of marvellous industrial and CONNER
cial progress which has characterized
the past four. We know that many
deals and many projected enterprises
were hanging upon the result of this
election. Thousands of conditional
orders had been given, and thousands
of investments waited for assurance
that the sound money policy would
prevail through another presidential
term. The year 1899 was a boom
year. 1t was the elimination of
three years of Mckinley prosperity.
The present year has been somewhat
reactionary in business, owing to the
uncertainties and doubts HANGING
= er the presidential election. These
mists will now be dissipated by the
clear sunlight Ct assured Republican
~dominancy in the nation.
1t is perhaps too early to discuss
Mr.. Bryan's future, but this second
defeat ought to end him as a presi.
DENTAL quantity. 1t does not seem
reasonable to suppose that his party
will take him up again four years
hence. There is evidence that the
South, although it votes the Demo.
cratic ticket this year from force of
habit, is very much disgusted with
Al