The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-09
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER ., 1904.
The Election.
popular


vote and the largest electoral vote IN
our history, the American people yester-
b day made Mr.. Roosevelt President IN
fact, and not by accident.
But we are not prepared to believe thae
this victory Is a popular approVai Oh
Roosevelt arrogance, Republican e3trav-
agance, the Dingley tariff and other class
legislation, under which the trusts nave
been created and fostered.
The fact is all the conditions were ia
yorable to Republican success. The mills
are busy, the railroads are showing enor-
NOUS earnings, the financial institutions
are strong and sound, merchants are en-
joytng fine trade, the farmers are get
ting high prices for their products WORK
ingn1en are generally employed. and the
whole country is prosperous. In such
state OF things stnnd pat policy was
necessar.ly popular. In such prosperity
men were disposed to "let well enough
aione.', The Republicans played upon
tina, sentiment with all their cunning.
They urged the people not 10 make
change In the administration OF govern
eminent. which would be sure TO upset
business and bring another period OF
hard times. 1t was an appeal that
evailed.
On the other hand, the Democrats,
though united. with William J. Bryan and
Grover Cleveland. both working for the
same candidate, We're unable to offer
any policy more definite than that of
rotation !n office. Both parties in terms
satisfactory assurance Of power or will
sngness 10 take any radical steps against
the great corporate interests which are in
many cases undoubtedly breaking the
law habitually. 1t was early said IN
Ethe campaign that the real issue was Mr.
Roosevelt himself, and the people by
an electoral vote of 303 out Of 47e, have
showed that they were not afraid to try
that hazard. None the less, 1t may
well be doubted whether Mr.. Roosevelt
will show those qualities Of self-restraint
and legal regard for the Constitution In
which he has heretofore been lacking.
Last summer the London Spectator said
that. in Its analysis Mr.. Roosevelt was
essentially q safe and we'll balanced man.
We hope so. 1t VIII allay the feelings of
many to know that last night Mr.. Roose-
welt issued state.nent saying that in
no event would he stand for n second
nomination, but would regard his service
as President following McIkinley's death
his first term. This relieves one natural
ground for apprehension, but does not
assure us of reasonable hope OF escape
from the self perpetuating dynasty which
controls the Republican party. We may
not have Roosevelt, but we will, II the
Republican plans come to frutlon have
another Hassterfu man in Secretary Taft
or ex-Secretary Root 1t is a far cry TO
1908 and the issues that will be in control
then. Between lie four years. which are
prenant with possibilities. whose Import
can hardly DO guessed at. This much at
least they will do; they will develop the
idea OF centralized government beyond
even the dream Of such federalist OF
Alexander Hamilton If Mr.. Roosevelt g
past policies so unchecked. and therein
lies the danger of The situation--and the
need for the Democrats of the country
20 remain organized and aggressive In
their defense of our constitutional rights