The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-11
AN TRAIT.
aggerauon

The readiness with which the defeated
PARTY accepts the situation, and the good
nature displayed by the mass of the dis
appointed are characteristic of the Ameri-
can people. This has been the case for
nan years. certainly since the first cleo
ton of Abraham Lincoln. A week ago
PARTY feeling ran about as high as it ever
did in this country, but to-day there are
few traces Of it. Last Tuesday night a
large part of those who FASTENED to read
the election returns from the bulletin
boards really expected that the figures
would show the election of Mr.. Bryan.
When the reports were disappointing, and
later made the reelection of Mr.. McKir-
ley certain, the defeated did not give vent
to their FEELINGS in EXP ressions Of rage.
Even the exultant shouts of their oppo-
nents die not arouse hostility. Among the
thousands about the bulletin boards that
night there was but one assault. Outside
of this solitary instance there was not a
blow struck and not an arrest made. In
New York city the only arrest made was
in connection with The victory Of the Co
lrmbia football team. Doubtless those
whose hopes were blighted by the emphasis
of the returns went home a little earlier
than they would if the result had been
different. but the juoilation of the shouting
host. the cartoons thrown by the stere-
opticons n the senseless bursting of
bombs did not move them to angry retort.
much less to hostile demonstration. If de-
feat had come to the other party there is
no doubt that it would have accepted the
situation as p~hilosophically as did the sup
porters CT Mr.. Bryan.
The American people. who are accus-
tened to this ready acquiescence as soon
as the result of an election is known. do
not regard it as wonderful. Nevertheless,
wher We think Of 1t, it is. The English
cannot get through with campaigns without
bloody noses and black eyes. Any general
declaration of ar election in London or
Paris would be attended with collisions,
even If there were not riots. In South
America such ar announcement of an cleo
ton would be followed by revolution. All
suggestions of heated leaders about throw
ing election officers out of booths fell upon
unlistening ears. The mass of the Amer
lean people have learned to respect the de-
cree of the majority as declared In cleo
lions. The election over, people hold none
OF the resentments which arise in the heat
co campaign. The kindly relations Of neigh
bors and friends are not broken. Socially,
communities in States which have a free
ballot do not divide along political lines.
| Except now and then an unfortunate per-
| son, who cannot hide his partisanshIp, po-
.itical differences do not divide the Amer
| lean people. Doubtless most of the victors
who nave met the ~vanquished since the
| election lave been careful not to give ex-
preston TO words OF triumph: on the con-
trary, they say as little about 1t as pos
sible. 1t is the American way, and Mr..
Bryan himself understands it. Without a
word OF protest he went to bed and slept
| soundly as soon as he learned that the fate
| of politics was against him. To-day this
ready. good-natured acquiescence in the
result of national elections is one Of the
surest a~uguries of the permanence of
| American institutions. 1t is of the highest
value, because it has its Inspiration in the
faith of the American people in their insti-
tutions and in the general feeling of good
| will which exists among them.