The Portland daily press., 1900-11-09
oAurIoN NENDEp.

There are dangers to the victorious party
in triumph so sweeping rs that OF
Tuesday-and the most serious one per
haps ia the danger of misinterpreting its
meaning, or of overinterpreting 1t. II
an impartial observer were asked
to give an opinion as TO
what was the most potent cause In bring
ing about Republican success he would
not answer that 10 was fear that the
flag might be hauled down In the Philip
pines II the Democrats won, or that a free
coinage bill would be placed upon thu
statute book, or that the tariff would be
tempered with, or that the courts would
be crippled, or that the banks would be
iegislated upon unfavorahly. Each and
every one OF these things affected some
people, ana each and every one OF them
brought some votes 10 the Republican
side. But the great factor In this cleo.
Bryan's election would check the present
tide OF business and industrial prosper
ity. If 1t could have been demonstrated
beyond all doubt that Bryan could not
do a single thing laid down In
the Democratic programme, this fear
might have been abated somewhat, but
it would not have been bauished. Dis
trust of the man Bryan and of the men
who surrounded him was so firmly rooted
in the public mind that no amount Of
assurances could have wholly removed
the fear that something untoward would
happen to business II he was elected, As
matter of fact no assurances were given
tending to abats 1t, but ala that the pub
lilo got either from the Democratic plat
form or the Democratic speakers, tended
quite In the opposite direction, The
platform abated in no degree the devotion
of the party to the heresies of the Chicago
platform and Mr.. Bryan himself repeat
eddy impressed 1t upon his hearers that be
regarded free silver at 16 to one as vital as
ever. No argument is needed to show
that public mind haunted by the ap-
prehension that the success of n certain
man or a certain party means blow to
the ching that is nearest TO them-that is
their business-is likely to, or is even in
a condition TO, weigh carefully specific
questions not closely associated with this
apprehension, The disposition of a public
in this frame of mind is to set such ques-
lions one side, SO as TO better concentrate
their energies to avert the threatening
danger. This is what happened In the
recent campaign, and the Republicans
are liable to make dangerous mistakes II
they do not recognize 1t. 1t won't do to
assume that thsy, have received the PEG.
pies mandate to go ahead with every
thing that found Its way into the Repub-
lican platform, without any further de-
liberation. There Is just as much need OF
careful consideration in determining the
future status of the Philippine islands
and their Inhabitants as there ever was.
The people have Issued no mandate
about them. Technically, perhaps, the
election can be construed rs an endorse.
msnt of the ship subsidy bill, but 20 SO
construe Ii Will be mistake. Not that the
measure may not be q good one; only
that the people have not intelligently
passed upon 1t and declared that they
want it The verdict OF the people
was an expression of popular confidence
oan administration and of popu-
lar distrust of Mr.. Bryan and
Democratic administration, rather
than an endorsement OF specific policies
and measures. For that reason the Re-
pubiioans are under the highest obliga-
ton to proceed slowly and cautiously,
Weighing every act, and not taking IL
"a.
has behind It the mandate OF this people.