The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-19
DEMoCRACY,s CHANCE.

According to the reports sent out from
Washington yesterday the commerce OF
the United States in the fiscal year which
ends on June Goth will exceed that Of any
preceding year. Its exports for the year
will be greater by s15o.oo0.ooo than those OF
any previous year. and the exports OF
manufactures will be greater than those
of any other year by more than s15,coo,o1e-
This Will be strong, and the strongest
argument which the Republicans will en-
ploy in the campaign which is now 50
soon TO open. In many respects Mchin-
ley's administration has not been popular
In 1896 he had no record as a President
He had no enemies in his own party But
now he must reckon with the mistakes
which he made in the'war with Spain: ne
must reckon with the mistakes that have
been made in the Philippines; he must
reckon with the men in his own party
whom he has offended. This government
occupies a position now, towards Euro
pean affairs. that it has not occupied in
the past. In spite of our protests IN
other days against entanElinS alliances
abroad and against involving ourselves in
foreign complications, we have the Philip
pine problem on our hands. we have the
Chinese problem on our hands, and we are
in danger to-day of serious trouble with
one or more of the European powers. The
Mckinley administration. whether respon-
sibIe or not, will be held responsible for
,L.c lie widespread belief 1naL
the Republican party is in favor of So
called Imperialism, and that there is great
danger 10 our peace unless halt is
called. The cry which has been suggested
in Democratic quarters Of the Republic, in
stead of the Empire, VIII be most popular
has a splendid opportunity to win, if it
will only pursue the wise course.
But all these arguments will avail moth
ing if the democrats go into the hight
with the avowed purpose of unsettling the
business of the country by making a radi-
cal change IN the financial policy of the
government Whatever may be said
against the Republican administration, it
cannot be denied that under il the country
has prospered, and, as the figures which
we have above quoted show. our foreign
trade has increased at an enormous rate.
There has come a halt in business, but
nobody has attributed it to the lack OF
money. Money Is plentiful at an exceed
ingly low rate Of interest, and the one
thing that has been soaring the Spectator
of late is the accumulation of surplus
money in various parts of the country,
indicating a smaller volume of business.
We believe that a majority Of the people
of this country want to see the Repu5l-
can party turned out OF office, but we do
not believe that a majority of the people
want to see radical change in the man.
ciai policy OF government, such as was
suggested by the Democratic platform IN
1896. the conservative business men OF
the country. farmers and mechanics. as
well as bankers and merchants and manu-
fac,urers. are in no humor at this time
for a revolution IN business.
The democratic party has good chance
10 win this year if the party does not
make one or It's proverbial blunders. Tne
only thing that elected Mckinley in 1885
was the 1ear of tree s!lverlsm and all the
dangers that that term Implied. Nlth
mat fear removed thousands who voted
for Mckinney. or tor the indianapolis
ticket. in 1871. would vote Tor the Demo
cratic canoloates in 1870.