Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-03-15
ncKinIey's Chances.

many conditions are favorable TO
Republican success in the coming
presidential campaign, we cannot con
cur in the opinion so generally held by
Republican leaders that it is over al,
ready. except the shouting. If ever q
party was suffering from over-confi.
dence, it is the Republican party in
this year of grace. Such Il thing rs the
defeat of William Mckinley, the as
sured nominee, is not within the con.
temptation Of those who guide the
party councils. Bryan is heavily dis
counted by them. His nomination
certain to take place-will be welcom-
ed by them, as they regard him a
weak candidate in opposition. Plans
are already laid as to what policies
will be followed by the government
during the next four years of assured
Republican control. Where, at this
time in SO there was a great deal of
anxiety, today all is calm and conf
dence. The formality OF an election,
ii is true, must be gone through with,
but Mckinley is as good as reelected
now.
All this is very fine, but-this little
formality may turn out TO be a very
serious matter. The Republicans may
wake up on the morning of Nov. 9TH
to find themselves routed, horse, foot
and Dragons. Stranger things have
Unprecedented stranger. For one,
we do not share the over-confidence of
some-of most-Republicans. Why
Well, for several reasons. We are
not superstitious, but tits fact that
for twenty years no party has been in
power for two successive terms. We
had Garfield and Arthur, Republicans
then Cleveland, Democrat; then Har-
rison, Republican; then Cleveland |
again then Mckinley, Republican. It |
is the Democrats turn this year. There
is more than mere coincidence in these
records. They indicate that the TWO
great parties in this country are nor
mally very even in strength; that it
does not require a very large per cent
of change in voters from one party to
the other to turn the scale; that in
twenty years neither party has so com
plctely satisfied the country that it |
could command an endorsement and a |
return to power. Has the Republican
administration of Mckinley proved an
We trust so, but if so it |
has greatly surpassed other able adj
ministrations. The people, not the
political bosses, will decide this. and
the bosses may be surprised at the re-
suit.
The chief factor Of Republican con-
iidence is faith that the remarkable
business prosperity of the country will
re-elect Mckinley, anyway. Now pros
perity is much preferable to depres-
sion as an ally, it is true, but if it al
ways proves a winner why did it not
in '92 The country had never been
more prosperous. The administration
OF Harrison had been clean, dignifed.
patriotic and, supposedly, popular.
The campaign was marked by
thorough Republican conhdencc-andl
ended in complete Republican defeat.
IL is a curious crnkle of human nature
to forget present blessings when some
one sings alluringly Of a prospective
Utopia. Then. too, a large number of
people are always dissatisfied because
they are not getting what they think is
a fair share Of the general prosperity.
is this so now. While the
laboring classes are pleased with their
steady employment and increased
wages, they feel keen animosity to I
trusts and combinations and the
wealthy classes, who appear to them
TO be greater participants in the pros
perity which Mckinley has brought
than they are. The Democrats dilate
about the wrongs Of the common peo-
pie and claim to be able to preserved
and even better their present pros
poets and at the same time Danish the
evils Of plutocracy. And many a
laborer who had suffered under Cleye-
land, who is now earning good wages.
will be warped by his preiudices and
vote for Bryan this year to smash the
trusts. No, Gen. Prosperity will not
win this year, alone.
Il is a question whether expansion
viii aid or iniure the Republicans a.
an