Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-10-30

political struggle when great principles
will be at issue.
Mr.. Cleveland was not alone in |
realizing the Importance Of this cam
paign. The men actually engaged in
directing the fight from the first have
been trying to arouse the party to view
the situation in the light in which Mr..
Cleveland has so clearly presented it.
But there appears to be some mys
terious power associated with the
utterances Of this former captain of
Democracy which commands attention
of those who will not listen to the
leaders of their own choice. The
awakening may not have been to his
voice, but tine campaign began to move
as he spoke. The important thing,
however, is that the sentiments ex-
pressed are those entertained by every
one actively interested in the campaign,
and which are voiced in Nebraska and
Georgia, as woll as in New York and
New Jersey, as far as they relate to the
character and importance of the issues
Several things which have become
palmer as the campaign has advanced
have given character and added interest
| to the contest.
While it Is manifest that the Repub-
licans are divided on the tariff and on
the trust question, nearly all the later
| utterances of those OF authority in the
party clearly indicate purpose to in
trench the trusts behind the same
barrier which has been used success
fully for the defence of the protective
tariff. The plea is to be put up for the
trusts, even more plainly than it
already has been by Senator M. A.
Hanna and Senator A. j. Beveridge,
that there must he no corrective legis-
lation which will disturb vested
interests and interfere with tthe won
derful business development which
attends rust-building. just as they
declare that the iniquities of the tariff
shall not be removed, because to do SO
would disturb business,' SO they are
prepared to insist that prosperity and
material development" must not be
endangered by antitrust legislation.
The Republican managers have great
faith in catch phrases to impress an
idea upon the public mind. They are
now beginning to speak of Democrats
as trust smashers,l' as for years
they have denomirI.ted those who
would have the tariff revised ''tarifi
smashers. +" They apply LET well
enough alone and Stand pat" to the
trusts as well as to the tariff. As they
have long clamorously demanded the
retention of the protective system" in
whatever "slight change of schedules
might be desirable, their well-estab
lished policy, having the Endorsement
Of even President Roosevelt, is to pre-
serve the trust system, whatever
legislation may be demanded to cor
rect possible evils. 1t is perfectl,
manifest to careful political observers
who have been watching the develop.
ments of this campaign that it is tbs
purpose of the controlling element oi
: the Republican party to saddle the
. people with the trust system, - as
. they have been bridled with the tariff
! "system. Mr. Hanna does not pro.
. pose that the party shall ever admit
that the system is not good one
, or that it does not promote the great
ness of the country. If the Republican
party can maintain this position
D through the present campaign without
i suffering defeat, Mr.. Hanna and thos,
3 acting with him will insist that there
is nothing Whatever in the trusts tC
. apologize for and that, on the contrary
: /. they are "a blessing, like the protective
tariff"
> This development of the policy, il
t the face of q manifest public sentimen
7 in favor of correction of the abuse.
on which Mr.. Hanna says, "Stant
/, pat, " has had very marked influence
. upon the character of the contes
i toward the close of the campaign
: Earlier there was so much confusion
! within the Republican lines on accoun
OF Republican demands here and Their
for tariff reform and the belief tina
: President Roosevelt had some hostil
: designs upon the trusts that it was no
/ possible at first to fix the position o
/ the party and make the line Of attacl
clear. 1t was late in the campaigi
4 before it was made clear that Presiden
9 Roosevelt and Mr.. Hanna alike wer
determined to stand by the 'systems'
. Of both trusts ana tariff. Now tn
; issue is sharply enough drawn to Civ
i character to the campaign and to max
nearly all Democrats appreciate its i'm
q portance as does TAR. Cleveland.
: Added to this consideration c
national policy are two questions c
a party concern which also appeared lat
/ in the campaign to increase its i'm
8 portance. First Of these is the dc
!, STABILITY of making perfectly apparen
the advantage to the party to be de
rived from having all elements united
it being now clear that they are s
united in this campaign. The secon
consideration is perhaps of less in
portance, but not Of less interest.
is the development of candidates fc
the Presidential nomination in 100.
Several men are making trial heats
qualify for tho great race. As a matt,
| of marty concern IL iE raoa rdod as
Importance that tine advantage
united action should he made vel
apparent, and that the right sort of
candidate for 1904 should develop o,
of the campaign. This camraign shou
indicate also the lighting ground Il
1904. j. P. NJ.