Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-11-14
AFTkR-ELECTION COMMENT
How The Leading Newspapers OF
the Country View the Result.

S~A w a8~@0A . S1SA 4N4 ~ W Al A-
the polls after n political contest
conducted with extraordinary ear
nestness. Issues of supreme impor-
lance were involved, affecting the
permsnoy of republican institutions
and the rights of the masses. 1t W s
battle royal from start TO finish,
but, despite the intensity with which
it was waged, patriotic men of all
parties will accept the result as the
deliberate verdict of majority of
the American people.
"On July 9Th The Sun, comment
ing upon the adoption Of the silver
plank by the Kansas City Conven-
ton at the demand of Mr, Bryan,
said; Mr.. Bryan has dimi nisbed his
prospects of election and weakened
his party By the attitude he has as
sumed when be dictated it's platform.
His 'vindicstion' may prove
the most costly blunder in his polit-
icsl career. Like the charge at Bal
sklavs, 1T is magnificent, but it is
not war That ill-judged and nn-
necessary declaration of free coinage
has cost Mr.. Bryan the presidency.
Mr.. Mckinley has been reelected,
not because q majority of the people
endorse his administration, but be-
cause they we're afraid, without uD-
Outstanding the situation, that Mr..
Bryan, if President, would disturb
the financial system of the country.
There was no ground for this fear,
for Mr.. Bryan, if elected, would not
have had the support of majority
of Democratic Congressman if be had
had attempted TO secure the repeal
of gold standard legislation. In
forcing a declaration for free coinage
into the platform, he gave his politi-
cal opponents the opportunity which
they desired to play upon the fears
of the timid."
The New York Sun, Republican,
says: mo process of reasoning can
make of this magnificent victory
anything else than an endorsement
and approval of the Administration
of President Mckinley. Wherever
the Republican pluralities are less
than they were four years ago, where
ever Organism shows apparent gains,
the explanation is obvious. Demo
Gratis have returned by thousands to
their former political allegiance: not
because they hoped by their vote to
elect Bryan, but because they be-
lieved bis defeat so certain that thev
might safely take advantage of the
occasion to resume regular relations
with the party to which they have
always belonged"
Ihe PnIIadeIphIa RecOru, Demo
cratic newspaper which declined to
support Bryan says: 1he party OF
Jefferson courJed deserved defeat
when 1t abandoned It's traditional
policies III 1896 anu, under the mag
neuo but mistaken leadership OF
William JennIng Bryan, hung itself
into the arms Oh PopuIIsm. 1ester-
day Its defeat was = Waterloo. There
can be no recovery except through
the recurrence 10 the Democracy of
Jefferson, Madison, Jackson and
Cleveland.
The Philadelphia LINES, which
went over to Bryan late III the cAm-
palgn, says: "Ihe reelection of
Presldent Mckinley III the face OF
the general condemnation Of his poll
10y 10 the fullest Justification Oh the
battle the Democracy has made IL
defense of public rIghts-a battle
that begins anew today and will con-
tlnue until it Is won.
1.-The enormous concentration OF
capital under corporate control hss
become the dominant power IL this
country. 1t controls our legislature;
1T controls the national government.
1t controls our elections. Through
its countless channels of influence,
by corruption, intimidation and mis-.
representation of every kind. 1t has
compelled the election of its chosen
candidate against the deliberate
judgment of the American people.
'"Ehis is the solemn truth which
the people have to face to-day. Mr.
McKinley's reelection is not n sign
of popular approval. That he does
not command, as candid republicans
will themselves admit. Disguise it
under whatever name, 1t Ia the
achievement of the money power
alone, that has tyrannizsd over the
popular judgment and, whether BY
fair means or by foul, has prevented
the free expression of the popular
will"
The New York Journal, democrat
ic says Beyond doubt Mr.. Bryan
would have been elected bu. for two
things. The first was the intrusion
of the SILVER issue. Free silver wsi
dead, and so unpopular that even it,
corpse was enough to drag any mar
down to defeat. The second was the