The Washington weekly post., 1900-08-21
For Republican Institutions -

Unless our valiant and valued con-
temporary, the Atlanta Constitution, is
very far Gf in It's reckoning, the Presi-
/ Dental campaign Of 1896 is virtually ended
/ b. the positive assurance Of the practical
( ~ unanimous vote Of the American eIer-
/ torate for Bryan and Stevenson. If is
somewhat early, it must be admitted IN
have reached that condition, but the Con-
sutution is progressive newspaper. and
It's gudicioGs contemporaries are accus-
toned TO treat its revelations OF future
happenings with distinguished considera-
t!on.
our Atlanta contemporary admits that
nc longer ago than four short weeks. only
tWenty-eiShC times the space that meas
ures day and night to. mortal man, 'it
seemed certain that Mckinley would be
elected; but" il says, "a great change has
taken place" And We are not left in
doubt as to the cause of so speedy a trans.
formation. Mr.. Bryan made a speech at
Indianapolis 1t has had a marvellous
effect" In fact, it has had the most ire
mendous effect ever produced by the ut
terance of mortal man it, as the Consti-
tuition asserts, lit has clarified the situa-
tion and shed bright illumination over
the Republican schemes; and it is now
certain that all voters who care seriously
for republican institutions will support
the Democratic candidates"
We repeat, il our contemporary i not
most egregiously at fault: if its forecast
has not been strangely vitiated by parti-
san zeal or some other warper of sound
judgment, the Jig is up. and the Republi-
can management might as well put up
the shutters and close the shop. IAN
voters who care seriously for republican
Institutions is a phrase that includes
practically all the voters in all the States.
The average American, the normal Amer
lean, is 4 patriotic citizen. He does care
seriously for republican Institutions" He
is not only prepared to defend them with
his vote, but he will fight for their pres
ervatiOn. His life, his fortune, his sa-
cred honor" are all bound up il that
cause. Indeed, we could go far below
the average Of intelligence and moral
worth, could dive into the lower strata of
the social organization, and still find pa
triotic devotion to republican institu-
tions." A poll Of the slums or even Of the
penitentiaries would be almost as solid
as a poll of the bishops and clergy. of
university faculties. or of Congress in
favor of the republic as against a moa-
.rrbirol Of Thlpa-
fore, if the Constitution las had a clear
vision of what is going 10 take place i'm
the fOrty-fiye States of this Union on the
9Th of November next, We know that in
each and all of those COnmonwealths.
that in every Congressional district, every
county, city, village, hamlet, and town.
ship, the voters will rally en- masse and
cast their ballots for the Democratic can
didates-
But the Constitutions unguarded ad-
mission that its progncsis of four weeks
ago revealed d certainty of McKinIey's
election suggests the possibility OF error
in its conclusion that Bryan will be
unanimously elected-for that is the only
correct Interpretation of the language
employed in its forecast. The Post, al
though profoundly impressed with the
sincerity of SIS Atlanta contemporary, is
rot prepared 10 believe tha. all the
patriots are on us side, or will be found
thus located on election day. 1t does not
believe that Mr.. Bryan's notification
speech. strong as it undoubtedly was,
has had the marvellous effect Of flop
ping the country from the Mckinley GER
JGinty that tie Constitution foresaw four
weeks ago 20 the Bryan unan.mity 1t now
depicts. The Post believes that all the
voters-those who support Mckinley, Bry-
au. Barker, MoOlley, or any other Of the
crndidates-Hill vote as they believe Will
bcst promote the good of the country
that all are in favcr OF preserving and
strengthening republican institutions.
And after the votes are counted, if the
result should happen to be favorable To
Mckinley. We hope the Constitution sill
not be distressed with the conviction that
the enemies Of republican institutions
have triumphed.