Fergus County argus., 1901-05-01
OFFICIAL PAPER OF FERGUS COUNTY.
the LESSON OF EXPERIENCE.

IUI lIooON W tNtNttNSt'
From the present viewpoint the coun-
try would have to go to the dogs at
rapid rate to bring about the contin-
gency which would place Mr.. Bryan
before the people again as a presidential
candidate. Mr.. Bryan is shrewd enough
to know that nothing but panic or
some great industrial calamity could
bring his name before the people again.
The country has prospered and is still
prospering from the very policies which
Mr.. Bryan So frequently and strenu-
ously denounced. His isms have been
repudiated by the people and hisprophe-
cies proven false ry the test of time and
experience. The people are on the high
wave OF prosperity and enjoying every
advantage that can possibly come from
a wisely chosen governmental policy.
1t is not the function or purpose of gov
erment to make every individual rich,
but it is the intent to give every man an
equal chance and adopt such policies
that will benefit the whole people.
To say that the policies advocated and
put in operation by the Republican
party have nothing to do with our pres
ent prosperity is playing politics. The
present conditions cannot be compared
with what might have been" had
Bryan and his party gained supremacy,
because the people were too wise and
had too much at stake to invite doubt
and uncertainty. They do know, how
ever. that all the ills and misfortunes
that were promised failed to develop and
all that was promised by the Republi-
can party is being more than fulfilled.
After the experience Of Grover Cleve-
lands administration the American peo-
pie became suspicious and cautious. A
new brand of Democracy with Popu-
listic trimmings and anarchistic gar
nishment could not deceive them. They
remembered how the United States was
obliged TO sell bonds to secure money
with which TO pay the ordinary running
expenses of the government, how mills
closed down, how soup houses were
maintained 10 prevent starvation, how
men walked the country in vain in
search of work. how banks collapsed
and railroads went into the hands of
receivers.
Compare those conditions with the
situation at present. From the day
President Mckinley tuslt the chair in
his first term the country has been on
the upward grade, and instead of being
forced to issue bonds To maintain the
gold reserve in the treasury the govern
ment has a large surplus, and this after
paying the expenses of the war with
Spain and maintaining an army in the
Philippines. All Of the industries are
not only prosperous, but the United
States is forging ahead aS the leading
power of the world; we are not going
abroad to borrow money, but instead
the foreign nations are coming 10 us.
From debtor nation we have become
creditor nation and it would not he
surprising if the money center of the
world was changed from London to
New York in a few years.
With prosperity in evidence every
where in all branches of trade and
industry and the prospects for its in
definite continuation it is not strange
that Mr.. Bryan should look forward
VITA dismay to contingency that
would bring him TO the front again as
a presidential candidate Even should
he east aside all of the yagaries he ever
stood for and join his forces with David
B. Hill in the interest of party harmony
it is doubtful whether the people will
be ready to overthrow the party that
has brought such great good to tn,
country. simply to appease the appe
tites of those who desire a chance To ill
the offices. There will be lots of tim,
to think the matter over.