Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-10-20

| bread is buttered. They have had the
| object lesson Of experience. They
know the difference in a campaign be-
tween chaM and sawdust on the one
hand and substance on the other. They
know that in both parties there is the
usual resort 10 make mountains out OF
molehills. 10 magnify flying specks,
and to raise issues out Of personalities
and petty details. They know. also,
that in both parties there are honest
differences Of opinion on matters of
real principle.
But when they take up the argument
DetWeea the last Democratic administra-
ton ana the present Republican admins
alton they will see. Just as clearly as
history will see it. the difference which
is AZ broad as a gulf. Nobody today in
his sober senses questions the honest pur-
pose and fidelity to the principles OF his
party either Of President Cleveland or Of
President Mckinley. Nobody doubts that
The four years OF the former were the
best that the Democratic party could give
Us or that the four years OF the latter ex-
empli.y its spirit. its enterprise, its nu-
mainly and its helpfulness TO every in
;erest OF the people, and Vet one was
period Of increasing financial and indus
trial depression and the other of good
times and prosperity. II is simply =
question which sort OF administration,
which kind Of policy, which application
Of principle gives the people the best re-
suits
| do rot believe they are going 10 de-
termine this question on the ground that
a postal clerk stole money in Havana
and has been punished for it; or that the
secretary Of the treasury distributed the
surplus money in the treasury 50 that the
people could have the use of ii rather than
keep it in his vaults: or that in the
tremendous extent OF administrative work
during the war there may have been a
mistake in the amount or quality Of the
purchases of canned beef. On the con-
trary. they will ask: Is labor better en-
ployed? Are more men at work? Are
wages higher? Are our factories and
workshops idle or busy? Have we more
money 10 spend? Are We finding bet
ter market at home and abroad Tor the
products Of our industry? IS our COM
merce enlarging? Is the balance of trade
for or against us? Is our flag seen often
er on every water of the globe? Is our
navy growing to be commensurate with
our national needs? Are we meeting the
responsibilities and opportunities opened
10 US by the result of the Spanish Ameri
can war? Are We according education
and American institutions to the islands
OF the sea that are now ours? Are We
sending to them upon the commissions
charged with their welfare and represent
ing the United States. men OF high char
acter. competent and faithful? Have
there been four years Of plenty and pros
perity or four wears Of neither? Have
there come up out OF the river four we'll
favored kline, fat-fieshed. or four other
kline, iIl-favored and lean-feshed? Are
the ears Of corn rank and good. or thin
and blasted with the east wind?
These are the questions which will de-
termine the issues OF the campaign II
will not be a campaign OF personalities OF
quips &nd partisan criticisms. but of the
general wel-being Of the republic.
on that ground and i'll the face of the
record Of the administration of President
Mckinley and of the inevitable compari-
son between ii and that Of the last Demo
cratic administration. especially between
ii and an administration based on the
policies 50 thoroughly defeated i'll 1896.
and so utterly exploded By the irresistible
logic of events and results since then
there can be no question OF the result.
The country will not at once and 50 soon
invite the same perils. on its escape from
which il has not yet ceased TO congratu-
late itself.
JOHN ID. LONG.
Secretary OF the Navy.