The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-01

ton of the whole American people. No
man. it is believed, could have been Sc
lected to lead the INSTRUMENTATION
forces who could have polIed as large a
vote as did he. 1t is easy to crlticise
after the fact and the setting sun is
rarely worshiped; but there are few If
any thoughtful men who believe that it
would have been possible. With anv nomi-
nee. upon any platform, long or short.
general or special emitting or commit
ting, to have defeated Mr.. Mckinley. un-
der all the circumstances attending the
| late campaign.
Many things conspired to render him
invincible and his election certain Our
leader fell in a great cause, with his
! back to the field and his feet to the
| foe No man will charge him with in
sincerity or timidity, nor gainsay his
| splendid character and wonderful ability
His campaigns will live in history. ANY
| American who loves his country must be
| proud of the fact that our institutions
can develop such a man as he has proven
| himself to be. He is a. credit to our citi
zenship and national manhood. Whether
! in the private station or official prefer
meut he will always be dear to the heart
of Democracy, and cherished as one who
has shown himself devoted to its cause.
| 1t is not strange that animadversions
| upon him should be resented
at is unlikely that he will ever again
aspire to the nomination for the Presi-
| dency. but no discussion of that propo-
sition is now in order. He is an Amer
icaG citizen, and a Democrat. and if, per-
chance, his party should conclude that his
services should again be utilized in such
lofty capacity, who shall say it nay?
There is plenty of time left us in which
to determine matters of candidacy in flu
ture campaigns. These things will be
taken care of when the suitable occasion
arrives.
In the meanwhile, 1t is not to be
thought OF that the Democratic party
must be inactive or Indifferent or silent
or non-combative. 1t must continue IN
remittingly to assert itself. to evince its
faith, TO protest against and expose all
maladministration of public affairs and
sternly resist all evil policies. Its or
ganiZation mist be maintained and
strengthened, and its conduct must be
such as to appeal to public approval and
invite popular support in the future. 1t
should reSolutely keep up its time-hon-
ored contentious and hold fast to the faith
it has proclaimed
The Republican party owes much of
its success to its cohesion and discipline
The individual is submerged in the great
er purposes of the party organization
4
ish line, but they always unite in the
final combat. Perhaps the very ablest as
sault upon the {, -eign policy OF the Re
publicans, the 60, st arraignment OF a
colonial system, the most striking vindi-
cation Of the Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution of the United States.
the strongest appeal TO Anericanism in
behalf CT fidelity to the doctrines and ira
ditions of the fathers. the most eloquent
ri del
made in any form, was the masterful
speech of a great and venerable Repubh-
can Senator in opposition to the measures
of his own party. lie showed as only
statesman can show aud presented as only
a patriot can present the bewldering
ENHANCEMENT of horrible, eventualities
past all calculation to the end of time
in which our Republic must become in
volyed if We cut loose from the ancient
moorings.'
His words will remain. his logic will
endure, as the masterpiece in the dis
cussion of this mOmentots controversy
And yet the gravitatiOn Of his soul was
not so distur! ed; the supreme peril to
cur institutions was not so alarming TO
him; the consequences, direful as they
appeared and awful as he declared them
to be, were not so disastrous in his con-
ception as to drown his craftsmanship and
prevent him from employing his SPLEEN
did brain and commanding influence tc con-
tinue in power the partF res Ponsihle for the
conditions he so graphically portrayed.
Even before his fneffcrable words had
ceased to breathe and his thoughts II
burn he was found advocating the re-
election Of Mr.. Mckinley. l mention this
because it is the NEST conspicuous in
stance in modern times Of the strength
and tenacity Of party attachment and
the force of party discipline, and strik
ingly illustrates how Republicans stand
together, united as if IN chains.
Hard Times May Come.
Possibly it may require material fall
ing off in the product of gold, dearth in
crops, general distress. monetary strin-
gency. reversal IN balances of trade. and
international complications to vindicste to
general satisfaction the force of our po-
sition and to prove TO our opponents that
We were not only sustained by the Consti-
tuition, but practically right. We could
hardly wish for such test II bountiful
harvests and good prices shall reward the
toll OF the husbandman for the next four
years; II prosperity shall not for
sake US; if the mines shall continue
the current output OF gold; if commercial
balances shall remain in our favor; If good
times shall prevail. when our National
Convention assemblies il may be conceded
that the reasons and necessity. aside from
the abstract wrong of decentralization.
which provoked our declarations on the |
silver issue in preceding platforms will not
likely appeal with the same force to the I
popular mind thai they have previously
done
And if these conditions shall obtain II |
Is hardly probable that any material de-
mand will arise for the renewed insertion 1
Of such declarations in the platform CT 1901. /
are we not essentially in accord on all I
other Democratic propositions? Subtract 1
even from Mr.. Cleveland's record what he |
has said and done and ignore what he has /
omitted to say and do. upon this issue. and /
would his fellowship among us be ques- !
toned?
Is there so much of anger in Demo- |
cratic hearts that there is no possible /
room for charity and reconciliation? We /
cannot be unmindful of the fact that in !
the late campaign SEINE of our estraneed 4
brethren returned to the ancient camp /
ignored the former feud. turned their /
backs upon the past and their faces to the
future, put on their armor as Of old. ard
valorously went forth to do battle AGAINST
the common fee. and in the foremost end
focal fire their pumes were seen 6nd
their stalwart blows were dealt. Nor can /
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