Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-12-03
what the Elections Mean.

the llSut VI tAcll 4AuuSiSC upon ~
future.
1t is plain that the people have |
a condition where they expect I
to meet new issues, some of which |
are already il sight. The Republican
party went into the campaign the ben
eficiary of that WEAKNESS which over |
comes people after old questions have
ceased to charm, and before the new
have been fully formulated. Entrench-
ed in office, helped by the wave of
sympathy brought forth by the sad
ending of the late Presidents life, it
was an election in which Republican,
ism won hands down. Why the peo-
Die should have been thus quieted
down is not lard TO seek. Ever since
1873 the political fight has been over
some phase of the money question, on
the peoples side of which stood the
Democratic party, and on that of in
vested interests and the bondholders
was to be found the forces of Repuh-
licanism Corporate influence not only
absolutely controlled the Republican
DdIlN. pul W DIS ClliBlEht az 1AAANHs ~
seize point of vantage in the Demo-
cratic party, preventing it from ac-
complishing its mission. The oppos-
ing forces met in 1899, when an am
biguous plank was adopted, and for
four years the White House blocked
Congress. In 1896 the people endorsed
the unpopular riders, but the latter
were strong enough to compass their
defeat in the election. In 1890 war,
added to a money alliance, defeated
the people, and in the campaign just
closed the men of 1892 sought to give
a black eye to those of 1900 The re-
suit shows that bad as 1905 may have
been, it accomplished better results
than the elections now over.
But out of the wreck there may be
reaped advantage. The people have
declared against the old questions Of
all kinds, and in favor Of new ones.
Prominent stands the demand for local
reform. The Democratic city of New
an oligarchy which, forgetting its
Democratic mission, had become an
agent of corruption. The Republican
city of Philadelphia has Endorsed mu-
nicipal corruption such as has never
before been presented. From the re-
suit in these two cities we may read
the commission of the future. The re-
form demanded in New York must be
made national, while the Republicans
may be expected to stand by the les
sons of Philadelphia. This wave of
reform will embrace the revision of
our tariff laws, which are now but "a
cover for treasury looting. That gov
eminent is Tor the people an not peo-
pie for the government VIII be the
strongest battle cry of the future.
With every yestige Of leadership
wiped away, with the animosities of
previous campaigns relegated to the
rear, with Old questions laid aside, the
people are free for new alignments,
upon issues such as have been sug-
gested A clear field and an uncIoud-
ed future opens the way for the Dem
ocracy Of the country to full together
again. The issues Of 1904 should be
those of the day having for their pur-
pose the reform of abuses as well as
the elevation of our national prestige.
The Constitution sees hope in the
ituation.-Atlanta Constitution.
At midnight the returns indicated
that the Republicans had been success
full in New York City, Massachusetts,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and
Iowa. Maryland looked Democratic.
The Democrats swept Everything be-
fore them in Virginia and Kentucky,
and, of course, in Mississippi. The re-
turns from Nebraska We're meager, but
not encouraging.
Everywhere the campaigns had been
dull and the vote was light. The re-
suits, in so far as they have any signiti-
canoe, mean that the country is still
Republican. 1t is for a high tariff, sub
sides, Imperialism and everything else
that the Republican party stands for.
Hamiltonian ideas continue in the as
tendency. The trusts are in the sad
die. They control national legislation
and administration, and majority of
the people are apparently content that
they shall.
All who believe in the doctrines Of
Jefferson, in equal rights for all and
special privileges for none, just and
equitable taxation, in the supremacy
of the constitution wherever the flag
foats-in the principles, in short, upon
which the republic was founded-must
deplore the situation and look into the
future with a certain degree of appre-
hens!on. But in this country the ma
iority must and will rule, and Demo
Gratis will now, as always, cheerfully
and periodically acquiesce in the popu-
lar verdict, abating, however, none of
their devotion to the time-honored prin-
ciples of their party, and looking for
ward hopefully to their ultimate tri-
umph. All over Europe, as well as in
the United States, there is a reaction
against democracy. The English party
of Gladstone and Bright is undergoing
the same experience as the American
party of Tilden and Hendricks. The
swing of the pendulum is now toward
autocracy and absolutism. Lombard
street rules in England as Wall street
rules in America.
But by and by the pendulum will
swing again in the other direction In
the meantime there is nothing left fer
Democrats to do but to watch ano
pray. keeping the while a stiff upper
lip. There is a better day coming. And
we advise Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr. Mark
Hanna and Mr.. Matthew S. Quay TO
keep sharp lookout to windward. for
the COLLINS viii get 'em some day If
they d6r't lock out. Sinners Stand in
slippery Pieces and Pride Goeth Be
fore a Fall. The Sentinel Rooster Will
Crow Again. He VIII Grow Loud and
He will Crow Observation-Disclosures Sen.
tinel.
That Balance of Ours.
1t is curious to lind that. after all, we
have not, as was so often said some
months ago. q comfortable balance of