Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1898 — A TIME FOR OLD GLORY [ARTICLE]

A TIME FOR OLD GLORY

fh* Fla* aud Wflj** It Represent* Inspire the IJeopfe as No Other QoetHonf Can. The people made the issue this year, aud the wise politician has been he who recognized that fact. That issue has been manifested in “old glory” and no other could come within its folds. The people have seen nothing but the flag and what it represented. Events were beyond control of party leaders, for the the spirit of patriotism was abroad, and the more politicians for party advantage sought to direct the coarse of these events, the worse it has been for them. The Democrats in the west tried to galvanize the corpse of free but it has been only the ghost of Brjnanism paraded on the stamp, and even'that in these closing days of the campaign has been practically withdrawn. The people had a surfeit of it two years ago; they would have none of it now. It was sought to harrow the souls of the fathers and mother? of the land with charges of cruelty to their brave boys in camp and field, bat the campaign ooloriug of tales of horror were too sombre for skillful lying. Stories of hard times were revived, but they withered and died in the sunshine of prosperity. There was too much work to do and not enough workmen at even increased wages to do it, for snch political campaigning to last long. Democratic efforts to detract attention irom the brilliant glow of patriotism that inspired the hearts of loyal Americana were sporadic and futile. Failure too attended them in confining their active policy to state affairs. The people could not be aronsed to contemplate or consider anything, but the uew American nation with its brilliant and prosperous present and its glorious future of pre-eminent position, expanding trade’ and widening influence for the good of all mankind. Ail that they saw embodied in the McKinley administration. That is what the people will in a few days vote to snstain, and that they will do it with a vigor and enthusiasm, as great as the spirit with which they responded to the demand of the country’s prosperity and safety two years ago, is not to b 6 doubted. Their verdict will be the country first, political differences afterward. President McKinley touched the button that set patriotic hearts burning with zeal aud loyalty. Those patriotic hearts will prompt the voting this year; not the politicians. But beware of the danger of over confidence. Many a good cause has been lost because certainty of success has moved many of tb6 loyal supporters to shift the trouble of going to the polls on others. Enthusiastic as the people may be for their country aud all it represents, there is danger until every Republican vote is polled. It is not a time to take the risk of letting somebody else do the voting. They whose love of country goes no further than seeking to turn somebody out of office so some other body can get in will not fail to be at the polls. They are in the minority, it is true, but every patriotic supporter of the policy and spirit that have made the country great who stays at home gives the minority that much gain. If yon want to help free silver and bring on disaster to trade, industry and the workingman stay at home; if you want to deprive President McKinley of a harmonious support in congress do not vote; if you prefer hard times and misery under tariff for revenue to prosperity aud comfort under protection keep away from the polls. It is just as sure as fate that if you do not vote these days of rejoicing will be replaced by conditions that will inflict on the country lasting injury and retard its progress for years to come. You have the opportunity to snstain the people’s issue. Do not let it slip. Vote for the eagle and “old glory