The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-09
BUSINESS AND ELECTIONS.

Years ago, because candidates spent so
much time In seeing the voters, the impress
sion gained ground that elections. after all.
were of little consequence except to those
who are candidates or were in politics.
Such an impression is a very mischievous
one. The candidates are of little impor-
lance compared with the influence Of elec-
lions upon the public welfare. AS a matter
of fact, there has not been a general cleo
ton in years which has not had an iniu-
ence for good or evil upon the business and
industrial interests of the country. To IL
lustrate: In the fall of 1862 the anti-Lincoln
party carried New York. Indiana, Illinois
and other Northern States on the popular
vote. The Republican majority in the
people were made to feel that Mr.. Lincoln's
policy was not sustained. The result of
those elections was worth more to the Con-
federacy than 5000 men, and. what was
more harmful TO the Union cause, gave
courage and purpose to the foes of the Lin
coin party throughout the North. Those
adverse elections were the forerunners of
defeats in the field and opposition in the
North which put the Union cause in grave
peril and prolonged the war probably a
year. Those defeats were due chiefly to a
failure on the part of those who were
friends of the Union to go to the polls and
vote. Many loyal men were so interested
in the general features of the prosecution
of the war that they were apathetic re-
garding the election.
Four years ago the Democrats made IN
effort to elect a majority of the House of
Representatives. They came very near it
but failed. At that time the unparalleled
prosperity which has come to the country
was well under way. In their campaign the
Democratic managers b~elittled or denied
the better industrial and business condi-
tions. In this State the silver heresy was
pushed to the fore in the campaign. Sup
| pose the Bryan Democrats had elected a
have been the effect? 1t would have been
proclaimed that the country had declared
for 1s to 1 and the receding wave of silver
ism would have been turned back. That
House would have declared for the free
and unlimited coinage of silver, and every
Democratic newspaper in the West would
have declared that the country, on mature
elaboration. had rejected the gold stand
ard. Such a setback at that time would
have paralyzed the rising prosperity of the
country.
To-day the country is enjoying a most
general prosperity. All the conditions en-
far as they can be affected by party policy,
are favorable to an extended era of these
prosperous times. There may be condi-
tons which many would change, but conf
dence reigns. Suppose a Democratic House
should be elected? The cry would go up
that the country was demanding a revision
Of the tariff along free-trade lines. The In
diana Democracy is pledged to a tariff for
revenue only, and so is the Democracy In
other States. The carrying of the House
by the Democrats would destroy the conf
dence of the country. and anxiety for the
future would make prudent men timid.
Such being the case, there is but one way
for the merchant. the farmer, the wage
Garner and business men generally, and
that is to be as much in earnest to get out
a full Republican vote this year as they
we're in 1896 and 1900.