The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-21

happens, state in which one interest thrves
aud another langushes, but every pursuit, in
dustry and occupation shares the common well
fare. Mining, farming, manufactures, commerce
are at the Hood. Vast enterprises projected at
test the courage and confidence OF capitalists and
promise constant and remunerative employment
for labor. Exports have passed the highest record
hitherto made. American genius and enterprise
have completed the conquest Of the markets of
the world The circulating medium, gold, silver
and paper, has kept on increasing till the per
capita Of money is the largest in our history.
The treasury over6ows IT IL an embarrassment
OF riches. IL is not necessary to claim that this
condition is due to the policies of the Republi-
cans or to the administration OF Mckinley. All
that need be affirmed is that either because Of
them or in spite Of them IL has come to pass
Good times are here and the people want them
to continue.
Possibly, also, IL may be only a coincidence
that Democratic ascendancy has always been ac.
companied by stagnation, panic, depression,
wreck and disaster During the past forty years
the people have had three object lessons OF the
blessings Of Democratic administration. The be-
quest of Buchanan was business paralysis ma
tional bankruptcy and civil war. Twenty-three
years afterwards Cleveland came in. and prices
Immediately fell and the country sank in hope
less apathy. In 1898, upon the cry OF dema.
eogues that the rich were growing richer and
the poor were growing poorer, Cleveland again
became president, with both houses OF congress
Democratic. 1t is within bounds to say that the
four years Of his administration, from '93 to '97,
will never be recalled by Americans in any age
without a blush of indignant shame The self
complacent ignorance, the vulgar egotism the
bloated conceit, the hypocritical affectation OF
moral superiority, the brutal sneers at the pa
triotic defenders of their country, the ruffanly
interference with the prerogatives of congress,
the prostitution Of patronage under the pretext
Of civil service reform have their only parallel
in that ignominous period Of English history de-
scribed by Macaulay as an epoch OF servility
without loyalty, of dwarfsh talents and gigantic
vices, the paradise of cold hearts and narrow
minds, the golden age of the coward, the bigot
and the slave. Every day witnessed some new
triumph of Democratic poicy-some factory
closed, some furnace extinguished some bank
suspended, some sail furled. some train cut off,
some railroad in the hands OF receiver, some
laborer reduced to beggary, some mother with
her children sent to the almshouse, some veteran
stigmatized as pauper, perjurer and thiei
and the traditions Of a century Of honor and
glory cast in the mire. War, pestilence and
famine combined could not have wrought more
balefu and fatal destruction than that which
overwhelmed rich and poor alike in common ruin.
o
In the one item OF live stock alone, as an il
lustration for the farmers to consider, the value
of cattle swine horses and other animals de-
creased more than eight hundred million dollars
in that term, enough to pay off large share Of
the interest.bearing debt OF the United States
when Cleveland was inaugurated In the three
years OF McKnley's administration more than five
hundred millions of this loss has already beer
regained.
At the same time it will not be wise to under
value the personality of Bryan, nor the activity
of the forces to which he appeals. He has ar
immense personal following. He has grown il
the last four years. He has plenty of nerve ant
sand. lie has no bureau nor treasury, no ad
vance agent or manager. He is the whole show
He has retained extraordinary control over the
discordant elements of Populsm and Democracy
travelling in all sections and speaking inces
sanity, he has not yet put his foot in it. He has
propitiated both and offended neither He is moi
so obnoxious in 96 to the Gold Democrats
and will have the secret sympathy and support
OF all Republicans with grudge, and those who
are exasperated by the extortions of the monopo
lies or alarmed by the spectre of imperialism
But, should be he elected, it would precipitat,
financial and industrial crisis that would max,
the dismal disasters of Cleveland's second tern
appear by contrast like dazzling prosperity
Cleveland was conservative. He stood by the
ancient landmarks. Bryan is aggressive, tn,
apostle OF innovations, the champion of reform
that might mean revolution. Possibly the panic
would be irrational and without justification
.anlcs generally are, but the consequences would
be the same The brigands and marauders woulr
make it their occasion. The weary would fnc
excuse to lie down and the over .burdened TO IN
load Everything would stop short and wait fol
future developments. 1t would be like the limit
ed express leaving the rails under full headway