Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-11-17
The VICTORY.

1 may be truly said that the victory
vas partly that OF the Republican
party and partly that of its chief can
lldate, Theodore Roosevelt. A siml-
lar statement applies TO the Demo-
cratic defeat; both the party ana lts
share the responsibility.
There never was a particle OF doubt
as to the outcome from the moment
thar the Republican national eonyen-
ton completed its work at Chicago.
The candidates and platform there de-
termined upon. backed by the record
Of the preceding years Of Republican
rule, and sustained by the widespread
confidence felt in the party and It's
leader, assured victory from the start
No candidates or issues that the De-
mocracy could have put to the front
would have stood the least chance
this year. 1t is possible-we think
probable-tnat the Democrats might
have made better showing with df-
ferent leaders and a more decided
stand for principles that meant some
thing to the average voter. But the
attempt to reorganize on the old basis,
to rake up issues long ago settled Tor
good. to run a nonentity like Parker,
whom nobody knew at first, and who
didn't improve on acquaintance, was
from a practical standpoint, a com
plete failure. The argument that the
Democracy of Bryan was thoroughly
discredited and that it would be
necessary to remodel the party IN
order to win, while it prevailed for
the moment Is now itself exploded in
the face of the election figures, which
indicate that the people had no conf
denee in an organization that lacked
constancy to principles, even if mis-
taken, and was willing TO sell itself to
a group of politicians il thereby it
could improve its chances of success.
Such an opportunist party as the De
mocracy has been this year deserves
Just what it got-an unmercitul
trouncing. Better Organism, mistaken
and dangerous though it be, but hay
ing the stamp of sincerity about Il,
than such makeshift as we saw In
the campaign just closed. The Amer
lean people are too smart to be caught
by such subtertuges and specious bait
as the Democracy tried to work them
with this time.
1t was Republican year, to be sure.
But why so? After the Democrats had
held the reins for a full term, it wasn't
a Democratic year that followed, If we
recollect. The difference Is due to the
fact that whereas the Democracy had
been tried and found wanting, the
Republican party has so well and
truly discharged its mission that the
people want more of it. That's it, in
a nutshell. The country is highly
prosperous. How much of il is due to
Republican rule no man can say, but
the memory of those dark days OF
1897 is still so keen that the people
show no disposition to try again the
doubtful experiment OF placing the
helm in Democratic hands. They
prefer to stand pat; to let well enough
alone So that any good, respectable
ticket the Republicans might name
would have probably won over th,
best that the Democracy could do thit
year.
But il happened that for the head o
the ticket was available a man who
for his various qualities, enjoys a
close a touch with his countrymen an,
is as highly regarded by them as an.
man ever was during his lifetime. no
even excepting those whom we hav
come to look upon as patriot saints
The active spirit, quick, energetic
level-headed, sincere and courageou
manhood OF Theodore Roosevelt hav
impressed his fellow citizens NOR
deeply than the qualities Of any othe
public man in the whole history OF tn
nation. This is a great deal to say
but who can face the figures OF Ia
weeks popular verdict and say less
Washington, Jefferson, jackson, Lin
coin, Grant, even Mckinley, ney,
received the testimonial at the ballo'
box that was given Roosevelt til
year. II cannot be read in any othe
light than the strongest possible ev,
dence OF satisfaction on the part {
the people with Theodore Roosevelt ,
president Of the United States.
Lt%-ALL.
Funny name isn't Il but it means VIII
lit says. Il licks 'em all; it certainly doe
il can't help it, it is made that way. No
L. - her IL