Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1898 — BACK UP M'KINLEY. [ARTICLE]

BACK UP M'KINLEY.

People Sustain the President’s War Policy. * BLOW TO FREE SILVER Unmistakable Verdict for Sound Money * and Expansion. Strong Republican Majority in Both Branches of Congreaa Insures Support for *the Administration—Heavy Gains in Agricultural States of the West Gratifying to Republicans— They Indorse McKinley and Sonad Money and Repudiate Bryan and Free Silver. It was a glorious victory! In nearly every State the war issue was made prominent, the Republicans indorsing the policy of President McKinley, the Democrats covertly or openly opposing. The glorious result es the elections is notice to Spain and all other European powers that the President’s policy is approved by the American people. The Democrats have striven in every possible way to create the impression that the people who stood shoulder to shoulder in the war were divided when it came to the settlement of questions growing out of the war. Democratic newspapers went to the extreme of misrepresentation and slander to secure a popular condemnation of the conduct of the war. The Republicans went to the country on the record of the administration, and no verdict ever rendered at a congressional election meant more for the future of the republic than this indorsement of McKinley’s policy. The Republicans have gained control of the Senate, and they retain the House of Representatives. Their lead in the Senate will not be as large as it ought to be, but it will be a lead. Beginning with March 4, 1899, the Republicans will have a clear mnjority in the Senate over all the elements of the opposition. Not since March 4,1893, have the Republicans been dominant in that body. The victory in the House of Representatives is particularly gratifying. It was gained in the face of the most virulent and persistent misrepresentation on the part of the Democratic party which has been known in any canvass in the past quarter of a century. In spite of the fact that the Republican party prosecuted the war against Spain with rare judgment and success it has been attacked by the Democrats with a mendacity and malevolence, which, happily, is seldom seen even in the most closely contested and exciting campaigns. The Republicans lost a few seats, as every Republican paper conceded they would. It is impossible to overcome overconfidence and indifference. There are, unfortunately, many voters who cannot, except in presidential years, be aroused to the necessity of going to the polls. They did not in this case defeat the Republican party, but they prevented its majority from reaching the figure which it. ought to have touched. Still, the majority is large enough to assure the people that the Government’s affairs will be wisely managed in the delicate situation which confronts the country. During the second half .of the presidential term the conditions will be more favorable to the Republicans than they were in the first half. Only one branch of Congress is«now in Republican control, but for the next two years at least the entire Legislature will be in the par-, ty’s hands. Beginning with next March, the Republican party, for the first time since 1891, will have complete sway over all branches of the Government. This is especially encouraging to all public-spir-ited and patriotic persons. Issues of unusual perplexity and gravity confront the country at this moment. The legitimate fruits of the war are to be gathered. Governments which will meet the peculiar nwds and aptitudes of the various localities which are coming under our flag will have to be devised. The country’s monetary system will have to be guarded aud strengthened. These are tasks which demand tact, wisdom and courage, and none of these qualities reside in the Democracy. The only organization in the United States in the past forty years which has had these attributes is the Republican party. The nation’s foreign interests will be vigilantly guarded. The silver folly is buried beyond any hope of resurrection. All the clouds which the fear of a Democratic victory gathered have been dispersed.