Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1904-09-30
TnE LESSON OF MAINE.

.The Democratic vote cast IN Maine
On Monday says the New York World,
was larger than i'll any previous election
within eighteen years, and larger han
the straight Democratic vote at any
election in the history OF the state.
There was a short period, from lSSC to
1856 inclusive, when the Maine Demo
cracy cast more votes, but that was due
to the temporary Greeuback fusion
which carried the state III September,
1850.
OF course it would be easy to eSagge-
rate the importance OF the Maine returns.
They give no certain assurance Of what
other states Will do, any more than those
OF Vermont. 1t would DO folly to
suppose that the 175,O00 voters i'll these
rural states can settle or can indicate
the decision OF fifteen million voters IL
the nation, more particularly the million
aud Il half voters, largely city iv~ellers,
in the state OF New York. But in the
absence Of any better guide there is
some interest III applying the Maine
proportions to other parts OF thc country.
The returns show Il Democratic gain
OF 30 per cent and Il Republican gain OF
ID per cert over the vote of 1852. Sim
liar changes elsewhere would give New
York to Parker 10y a plurality OF s. 1000.
New Jersey by 5000, Rhode Island 10y
G,0OO, Maryland by $1,000 Nebraska by
8,GOO and Utah by 800. These, with the
states carried by Bryan in 1900, would
be exactly enough to elect. IN addition
Dclware, West Virginia and Indiana
would be i'll doubt il these percentages
Of gain were 10 prevail.
The actual results i'll November are
likely to DO considerably different from
these interesting possibilities. But there
is in tho Maine result, and in the state
OF Democratic md independent thought
in the nation which it and other signs
reveal, the inspiration OF moral courage,
Of political courage-an inspiration for
men who believe their quarrel Just to
strive with new courage that their
prinCip les, their ideas and their cOnvlc-
tiohs OF right shall prevail.
"From this moment there should be
infused into the campaign the energy Of
conviction, OF resolve and Of confidence.
There are III Indiana, in Illinois and in
Wisconsin, where the fight should be
holly pressed, iitty.five electoral votes
Nearly two millions and a half voters
will 90 to tie polls in these three doubt
full states. Chairman TaggHrt. who
understands tho local condition, would
y service by taking personal command Of
the party forcG in these states, leaving
New York. New jersey aud Connecticut
to the management Of men more familiar
with conditions in the enst.
80 these men the coming OF Judge
Parker to the city, which Ia announced
for today, should mean II spur, AN iu-
c~entive and AN inducement 10 better
work. Tho leader comes to take com.
mand. IIo should not now r%clinquish
it during the campaign.
"lIo opportunity for serving the
country 10 inspiring. It presents vary.
iEg possibilities. Even il Parker wore
10 bc defeated uud Roosevelt elected.
ir wnnld still be the duty md the high
privilege OF the opposition to make the
contest more vigorously thnn ever. II
can carry the house u: representatives..
1t can carry New Yor'; il no hlundcrs
arc permitted and il judge Parker him.
self holds the rcins.
Sand with the house Of representatives.
and the electoral vote nf New York
the opposition to imperialism and Rooso.
Scltism would still have gained n vitnlly
important SUCCESS. even IL the prcsi.
dcncy we're lost.
at would have succeeded in putting
in the vote q: Now York u moral check
in tho house majority u constitutional
bar, in tho path Of the p%rcsidcn,'e wild
schemes II reckless Extravaganza ard
~ Western I~Icmisph"- u]ggrandizo.
ment'