Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-06
Att AGAIN.

The chief stock in trade of the Re-
publ!cans in 1896 was fear. A large por-
ton Of the votes cast for the McKin-
ley or the Palmer electors were cast In
a state Of mental panic. These voters
were convinced they were aiding in
averting some great calamity. They
have since come to a realization that
they were buncoed. They see now that
it was the pick-pocket's cry of fire"
in crowded hall. And they are so ex-
pressing themselves. and as a result
somebody else is getting scared-the
Republican leaders and the monopoly
interests. They know that IL this
wholesale desertion of the Mckinley
for the Bryan standard continues, their
game is up. So they are at it again.
They are beginning with the so-called
gold Democrats. They talk at them,
but TO all the timid through them.
They point first to the hard times OF
the last Cleveland administration and
the booming times of the present adj
minstration. This coincidence they
describe as cause and effect. And
they assert, with all the assurance of
inspired prophecy. that the election of
a Democrat means a return to hard
times; carefully ignoring the fact that
the only element Of uncertainty In the
situation is the decentralization OF
the trusts, monopolies fostered by
Republican tariff. and disregarding ut
terly the observed cycles of alternate
periods of prosperity and depression,
under the law of which hard times are
altogether improbable for years to
come. The existing good times in bus
mess and industry will continue, no
matter who is elected.
Then they hold up the bugaboo of
silver legislation. gratuitously aseum-
ing, as in 1885, that it would be HARM
full. But they neglect to note that the
Senate is for the present a barrier
against any legislation OF this sort.
The spool1 they point to Is visible only
to the hysterical.
Failing to create alarm by either Of
the above transparently insincere
methods, they try to curdle the blood
by the judicous use OF terrifying cpl
thets. We are told that il the Demo-
cratic party. whose sole aim is of
course to impoverish the people and
ruin the nation. should be victorious,
1t will become more radical and revo-
lutionary than ever. 1t might even
throw off the mask and declare for
arson. murder, robbery and treason.
Then anarchy will reign; Constitutions
and laws will be disregarded solemn
compacts broken and confidence be-
trayed; the ideals OF our forefathers
forgotten. and the Charter of our Lib
critics trampled in the dust.
a horrifying picture! Would you like
to see 1t, good reader? You will not
have to wait until the wicked Demo-
Gratis get into power. Just look around
YOU Consider the trusts and their le
CALLED robbery and oppression; con-
slider the shameful war in the Philip
nines consider our treatment of Porto
Rico; consider Congressional treat
ment of the Constitution; consider the
Griggs- Mckinley Interpretation OF the
laws. What is lacking to complete the
picture of what we are told will come
under Democratic rule? Democratic
doctrine Is the EXTREMIST conservatism
as compared with Republican action.
The radical the law-despislng. the I'M
principled, the anarchical. party is the
Republican party.
No, gentlemen of gold and monopoly.
your scare will not scare. The people
are afraid of you. not OF us. They be-
lieved your lies four years ago. Now
they know better. You betrayed them.
You have your thirty pieces of silver.
and you seem to be doing your best to
hang yourselves.