The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-01-16

ing the .ChioaRo platform Oh the one
subject money. It ID characteristic
of Americans more than any other race
to think FOR themselves, and party lashes
ware cracked IN vain In TINT year,
1896, as, each man was doing his duty
as a citizen, according to his lights.
The result was that when election day
came, prophets were selling at a dis.
count, the ballots being cast with an
Independence previously unknown and
representations proving wild. In
many communities, especially In the
west, local republican tickets we're
slaughtered, and the responsibility laid
at the door of the silver republicans,
who voted for the Chicago platform
aud nominee. This was undoubtedly
true in many instances, but 1t must be
remembered that there were a great
number who believed not IN silver less.
but protection and republican prinoi-
pies more, and cast u ballot at the last
moment consistent with their old time
political faith, with houe the wiser
Conversions come easy to some,
others have to undergo a longer pro-
cess Of self-reusoning before abandon
ing opinions honestly formed. Mis-
takes are part Of the process Of evolu-
tion By which men profit, as experience
ia largely a character Of errors which to
learn nle to avoid, Eighteen hundred
aud ninety. eigllt found many converts
from the silver faith, rs the election re-
turns everywhere proved. But now
comes the lesson: In the west, partio-
ularly, where the feeling in 1890 was
strongest aud the republicans ran wild,
a disposition to discriminate in 1893
was manifested aud the liam -holier.
t%han.thou'' class Ut republioans-who,
hv the way, we're the weakest sort Of Il
minority -a suggested suckcloth and
ashes for those who were oonvalescent
Of the silver symptoms aud disposed to
help roll the wheel for republican 10.
cess. Not only this, but at the 1898
election this anne minority, who were
too weak to rule, were yet strong
enough to ruin, and when their work
at the polls was completed, no one
could deny that they Ind evenad ao.
counts and that it was a case Of 'horse
aud horse"-ls8s an against 1895. This
ia II matter Of reeord-the official cleo
ton returns Of both years confirm 1t.
Let us admit that both years mentioned
were marked by republican mistakes,
and lat us profit by the conviction, and
avoid II repetition.
"A presidential year is always II ortiz.
cal period in this nations history,
From a republican standpoint its veal
Of its woe Ia deter mined for at lcast
fou, years to come, The national n
trial committee, the highest exponent of
republioanism, has issued it's call in.
viting all who believe in the principles
Of the republican party, REGARD.
LESS OF FORMER POLITICAL AT
FILIATIONS, to meet and take part in
its deliberations. This means YOU,
Mckinley republican of 1895; aud also
YOU, ex.silver republican-not II
but both. The party has need of each
QUE aid and influence; the nation g in.
terests are In your keeping the oom.
munity In which you live and your own
fifesides will be affected BY your observ.
anee Of your individual responsibility
as q voter, for individuals make up
communities and they and their senti.
ments combine to shape the course Of
the ship Of state.
Let mutiny belong to the past aud
play no part in the coming struggle,
Let there be no duplication Of the
methods affecting the last campaigns,
which can only bring a blush to re-
member, The moral Ia pointed-by
the works Of republicans shall ye know
them. "a 90 Republican,
Billings, Mont, Jan. Is, 1900.