Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-11-14
FRIDAl, NOVEMBER II. 1902.
Some Things which the Recent
Elections Show and have Done.


tial election are looked upon as signi-
ficant in various ways. They all show
the trend of politics locally. and it the
lines are sufficiently marked, extensive,
or the currents strong enough, they
show quite accurately present national
tendencies. Now whatever else the re-
cent elections have accomplished they
have cleared the democratic field nf
heresies which have clogged its progress.
They have swept Bryan and Organism
from the face of the earth, but in dong
it have increased the confidence OF the
people in the prevailing political sentl-
ments of the country. This is one ofthe
political strands that reticuiate through
the network of national politics and its
ceasing to be a factor in American poll
tics will have an important bearing on
the adjustment of many details OF the
situation. The democratic party will OF
course reap some advantage by having
old stubs pushed over and got out OF the
way of its clearing. But their ghostly
memories will stand long time re-
minding the people of the follies they
have barely escaped.
These elections have held up to view
the private and public integrity OF Tom
johnson, but his sterling qualities, not
the least of which are his frankness and
fearlessness may so far antagonize his
party as to rid the administration party
of formidable opponent in the coming
presidential election, and if he is elimin-
ated from the presidential race it may
shut out others whom the republican
party may desire to be rid of.
But the most significant effect of
those elections will be found in their
influence on the chances of David Is.
Hill. His ardent admirers are disap-
pointed by his want political sagacity,
especially his dictatorial tendencies in
framing his state platform and his as
sumption of authority over his state
committee. His critics find in him a
disposition to "put down all authority
and all rule" except his own, and they
fear incipient senility, or at least such
indications as ought not to be NANTES
ted in man of his age; and it is mani
fest that his opponents are discovering
in him some characteristics that cause
them to be soicitous lest he may not g
in the next presidential race.
But the most significant feature o
the recent elections is the figure thai
President Roosevelt seems to have cut il
them. 1t seems to us that he has eX
hibited the largest, the most becoming
and effective personal influence that
president ever did in like circumstances
1t is certainly something new to see TIN
president and the principal members o
his cabinet mingling indiscrimlnatel,
with their fellow citizens and freel y anc
openly discussing the merits of cam
paign. 1t has heretofore brought rid
Guile on the experiment, and the pres
dent who threw off restraint has man
times found him self in position SINH
lar to a New England clergyman cast
ing rich sentiments before the frequent
ers of a New England bar-room. Blu
the president has a personality that CON
mands respect. He exhibits norma
strength of character which at time
shows itself Independent of his hig
office.
And it seems to us that those wht
look disparagingly on Cleveand's inhu
ence in Rhode Island and on Roosevelt
great influence all over the country d.
not correctly read the situation.
The people are slowly dividing on som
economic questions. The Massachusett
campaign shows that quite clearly. |
the light of that campaign the presiden
stood largely in the public view. ii
had by native strength and independer
of the strict rules of law just seemingl
controlled an immense organism thu
was expressing the people, and HI
mighty presence was so great as to dc
termne the doubts of many in favor {
the administration in the campaign an
secure a victory, the retention of tn
fruits of which will require eternal Wig
lance.
Time will dim the novelty Of the das
and brilliant achievements of a new a,
ministration; the productiveness thu
showers gold and silver into the treasul
will run lower; more and more cage
candidates for the presidency will sprin
up; civil service reformers are CROWN
indolent before cheerful fresde
while ten times as many on the outsic
are out in the cold and stung to frenzie
zeal in getting in, peace and prosperi
always have and soon will be again su
ceeded by depression, want and disco
tent, and seeing the outlines of all whc
ghostly as well as real forms, may tai
the places of peace and plenty as the
have often done before.