The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-11-08
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF POWER.

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The result of Tuesdays elections in
that the high tide of Republicanism
was kept up, was surprise to Repub-
Ii cans as we'll as to their friend, the
enemy. While the Republicans were
firmly Of the belief that the result
would be in their favor, still the gen.
eral feeling was, we think, that the
high tide of success during the past
half dozen years would not be main
tanned, because the conditions which
brought about those great successes
are necessarily changing somewhat.
On the other hand, there were great
many Democrats who were SINGERS in
their belief that with the dropping of
Organism in the east, they were bound
to make large increases in strength,
and bring things about to the old time
normal conditions, though we doubt
that any of them were really sanguine
enough to believe that they stood any
particular chance of winning. But in
Ohio where they expressed themselves
the most hopeful of cutting the Re-
publican vote, the Republican gains
have been the most extensive.
1t is evident from whatever bearing
the elections of Tuesday may have had
in national way, that the people are
still overwhelmingly in accord with
the policies put forth by the Republi-
can party. Under the wise leadership
of the late President Mckinley, the
nation arose from the depression it la
bored under and has prospered most
amazingly. The affairs of the nation
h ave been guided by the highest type
of craftsmanship, and the people in
their great prosperity are content to
let well enough alone. They have con-
fidence in President Roosevelt, and
that he will continue along the same
lines so successfully followed by his
predecessor.
There is no question but that t he
only danger to Republican supremacy
comes from within the party, rather
than from without. With wise guild
ance, prudence and economy, such as
has characterized the administration
during the past four years, there is no
good reason why the Republican party
sh ould not remain in power for an in
definite period 1t cannot of course
expect such great pluralities to con-
tinue in the future, and it will doubt
less be far better for the best interests
of the nation and the party if they
fall to about the old time size The I'M
limited power which the people have
granted the party can easily become it's
greatest source of weakness if eternal
vigilance is not exerted in carrying
out the wishes of the people. In the
past four years every promise made
the people by the party, has been fully
redeemed, and therein lies the great
strength which was exhibited last
Tuesday. If the tariff and reciprocity
question is handled with care, so as to
greatly extend our foreign trade ;
everything possible done to correct the
abuses growing out from the great ag-
gregations of capital, and makes no
blunder in the carrying out of the
nations foreign policy, there is no
good reason why the great record it
has made since William Mckinley was
inaugurated as president should not be
continued for many years to come.
1t is only proving recreant to its
great trust, by imposing too much con-
fdence in the overwhelming victories
the people have given it, that danger
turks for the Republican party. But
the men who guide it's fortunes, as
well as the destinies of the nation have
proved themselves equal to the task
which has been placed upon them,
and it is reasonable to suppose that
they will continue faithful to the
responsibilities imposed upon them.