Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1894 — WHAT THEY SAY. [ARTICLE]

WHAT THEY SAY.

fcpress Comment and Personal In- • terviews on the Absorbing Topic, Various Views and Expressions from Partisans and Independents on the November Elec ' tions. Ex-President Harrison, in an interview at Indianapolis, Wednesday, said: “It is the most extraordinary political revolution the country has ever witnessed. Wherever there was a free ballot the vote of confidence given in 1892 to the Democratic party (if one was given) has been recalled, and a vote of utter and final repudiation substituted. The incoherence of the Democratic party was revealed the moment power was given to it to deal with National affairs. The insincerity of its platform-makers was exposed when ‘Be it enacted’ took the place of - Be it resolved.’ For thirty years party expediency had been substituted by its leaders for party principles, and expediency had as many Faces as there were Congressional districts. Every eccentric ■> crosscurrent of popular prejudice was followed as if it were the gulf stream. No passion was too wild or violent for a Democratic mount. Classes were created and inflamed to outbreak and disorder. In one State a debauched currency and in another a socialism that was near to anarchy were given a bed. Property, espe-( eially mills and factories, was invested and assaulted in one section, and in another trusts were secretly coddled. The old Democratic doctrine that favored the levying of customs duties to the limit of an adequate revenue was abandoned. A deficiency to be made good, by bond issues or bv internal taxes, was preferred to the ‘incidental protection’ that adequate customs duties would give. The silver question was dealt with in the most vacillating and irresponsible manner. “Mr. Cleveland described the sitution perfectly when he said in his letter to Mr. Wilson, ‘They (the democracy) are downcast under the assertion that their party fails in ability to manage the government.’ A vast majority of our people believe in a protective tariff—never so many and never so strong as now. They differ as to rates and schedules, but not as to principle. They believe in reciprocity as the first method of getting foreign markets. They believe in a progressive and American foreign policy. “The workingmen voted their prejudices in 1892; this year they voted their patriotism and their love of home. “The enormous falling off in the democratic vote everywhere is not less imphatic in its meaning than the majorities. “The great victory secured by the reformers in New York city ought to have men tion in the Thanksgiving proclamation—perhaps it would if it had come earlier. It gives the assurance so much needed that there is an adequate recuperative power in the most ring-ridden communities; that popular government is equal to its severest test —the control of great cities. “The lesson? Trust the people. The duty? Exercise the offices they have confided to us with the highest fidelity and patriotism. “About Indiana? Well, language fails me. lam proud of her.” Vice-President Stevenson, in an interview at Bloomington L Wednesday, November 7, gives his views -as follows:

“My opinion can be briefly stated. The result is due in part to the financial depression which came upon the country soon after the inauguration of Mr. Cleveland. While the Democrats were in no wav responsible for this, they were made the scapegoats. It was also in part due to the delay of congress in passing the tariff bill. Had the bill become a law ninety days earlier than it did, it is quite probable that the business conditions of the country would have so adjusted themselves that the political result would have been different. Congressman Springer, of Illinois, to an interviewer, at Springfield, 111., said: The manufacturers of the country who have been receiving large benefits from a protective tariff were not disposed to give up any of the privileges which they had on joyed heretofore. They naturally resented any efforts to curtail their rights to tax the toiling millions for their own benefit. The business interest of the country were appealed to by republican partisans to make large contributions to their campaign funds. There were many evidences in this part of Illinois to prove that such appeals were not made in vain. The Republican managers in the congressional districts were supplied more liberally with campaign funds than ever beforo known in this State. Never before were Republican politicians so active and persistent in party affairs as during the campaign in this district. The managers of the Democratic party were active and aggressive. They never made a more gallant fight, but we were defeated. The stay-at home vote among the Democrats was very large; so large in some localities as to raise the suspicions that voters had been paid to remain away from the polls. Governor Waite, of Colorado, at Denver, conceded the defeat of his party early Wednesday: “To my mind," he said, “it proves conclusively that the money power has

dominated this election from begihning to end, and the ■ Democratic! party is not responsible from the 1 fact that many Democrats voted the Republican ticket instead of their own. I made up my mind several; years ago that there was only one way to rescue the country from the| conditions now existing, aDd for ; which the money power is responsible, and that was to fight it. Consequently I have never made any ; bones of declaring that the controlling power which it has exercised: over all legislation is destroyed. I; believe that the influence of Wall, street must be removed from Con-: gress. The result in Colorado can, be accounted for from the fact that* the Democrats have, almost to a man, voted for the Republican ticket.’ It proves to me that there is absolutely no difference in the financial policy of the Democratic and Re- ■ publican parties. Colorado Democrats undoubtedly voted the Republican ticket on account of orders received at Washington. It was the same in ■ New York. While the Democrats there may not have received explicit orders there is >no doubt but that their conduct was influenced largely by a secret understanding between the leaders. The purpose was to perpetuate and continue the gold standard for which Walk street has been contending so earnestly.” PRESS COMMENT; Henry Waterson, the distinguished editor of the Louisviile Courier-Journal, in a leader in that paper, Nov, 8, said: “Never did a great party go to the people under such haudicaps as were carried by the Democrats into the campaign just ended. The hard times were bad enough. But they might have been parried. The faction fights among small claimants and rival place men were bad enough but parties have met and overcome such obstacles before now. But with the record of ‘perfidy and dishonor,’ as Mr. Cleveland aptly described it, to face and defend in a hand to hand fight with the united Republicans, led by Harrison, McKinley and Reed, it was disheartening for the Democrats to have to face also the dull, self-sufficiency and stolid indifference of an administration that made no sign, uttered no word, and, at least in the State of New York, seemed to desire the defeat of the regular Democratic nominees.” AlWhat wonder that so much apathy in the official head should breed disaffection in the rank and file? What wonder that with so many knives whetted at Washington there was blood upon the moon down in the precincts? But it is over, and, let us hope, it is well over. We shall have time to look about us and whilst burying our dead to cast some balance for the living. “The battle for tariff reform will have to go down foot and take a new start. The battle over the money issue will soon be upon us. We shall see whether there is Democracy enough left of the true and blue stripe to make a greatcoat good against all weather, or whether we must still wear a coat of many colors, covering not a homogeneous party, inspired by faith and truth, but a mere bundle.of factions thrown together by the upheaval of the times. “The Republicans have mado the issue that the Democrats cannot successfully govern the country. Upon the lines of our recent experience it would seem that at least the men we have at the front cannot. At any rate that seems to be the opinion of a majority of the voters, x But no more can the Republicans govern it. except by money or by force. When they were in power they could only get along by the aid of boodle, backed by bayonets.”