Consider this Chicago election in the broad National point of view. How can it give any encouragement to Mr. Roosevelt, who is still tinkering and pottering at the worn-out fabric of Governmental control? How can it give any encouragement to the Democratic Party, which has nothing in its platform which can be twisted into a declaration in favor of that thing which Chicago has just done? So far from being a vindication of the Democratic attitude, as expressed in all of its National platforms, it is a rebuke to the timid, weak-kneed, short-sighted leaders of National Democracy. The vindication is to those men, who, in the years gone by, proclaimed the principles, preached the gospel, scattered the literature, endured the odium, fought the battle, bore the heat and burden of the day, and are now in this late hour looking up, elated, joyful, exultant, happy, that at last the smile of success has rested upon the earnest, untiring efforts which have gone so long without recognition and reward.
The victor in the Chicago election was the great Populist Principle, Public Ownership!
A Bitter Attack Upon the South
Ever since the close of the Civil War there has been a growing sentiment on both sides of Mason and Dixon’s line in favor of mutual forbearance, the purpose being to speed the day when the North and South shall become reconciled.
In the South no speaker will now add to his popularity or influence by reckless abuse of the North.
We had supposed that the North was equally tired of the speaker or writer who puts the torch to sectional prejudice or who wantonly inflicts upon the South a blow which he must realize will arouse angry resentment.
When the last gun was fired at Appomattox, the biggest, bravest, best hearted men on each side united in the effort to stem the tide of sectional hatred and to knit together the bonds of brotherly love.
General Grant, by his magnanimity at the surrender, set a sublime standard.