The Hastings Standard Published Daily. TUESDAY, DEC. 1, 1896. THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

Hastings Standard, Issue 185, 1 December 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

TUESDAY, DEC. 1, 1896. THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

For the cause that lacks assistance, Fur the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Another three clays and the political turmoil will be over, and the general election of 1896 will take its place in the pages of history. It is usual to suppose or make believe that the contest of the hour is more keen, more exciting, and more remarkable in other respects than all previous political contests. There may or may wot be reasons for the supposition, but it is more than likely that the make-believe is necessary to stimulate the electors, to goad them into action, to .compel them into taking an interest in the battle. The present contest-, if we could measure it with any exactitude and compare it with previous political combats, is possibly in no way remarkable ; but, notwithstanding this, we venture to think that there are circumstances connected with the election of this week that make it remarkable, that distinguish it from all its predecessors. To us there appears to be three distinct features. It is remarkable, firstly, on the ground that while one party has formulated a policy the other party has absolutely declined to set forth its political creed. The election is a battle between the party in power with a defined policy and the party out of power and without a policy. If the latter possessed a policy it has been cast aside, in order that {

the militant elements within itself may be brought into line, and for the express purpose of wresting the power from the other party. The Opposition Party has been able to close up its ranks, and under the tattered banner of " Pure Government " it is able to present a solid front. The Government Party have a well defined policy, which the rank and file have accepted, and this party also shows a solid front, with a tine warlike spirit animating the component parts. Furthermore, the Government party possesses a capable leader, whose personality is most pronounced. The Opposition party have no leader, but possess a combination of arithmetical elements Russell-Stout. Rolleston-Hutchison, and Scobie Mackenzie—solidified by a political process which has for its objective place and power. For this, if for no other reason, the present contest stands unriviiiled. But there are other reasons and, next in order, we should place " personalities." Few elections in the have been free from personalities, but none, we think, can compare with the present one. The speeches of candidates in nearly all the constituencies appear to have been steeped in a strong solution of brutal personalities, and then flung at the electors for their edification and amusement. The candidates on both sides are guilty of this unpardonable political crime. To these vituperative politicians nothing seems sacred ; not content with slanging an opponent, his friends and relatives are besmirched, until one is nauseated with their ghoulish work. AYhy men should forget their gentlemanly instincts when in the thick of a political batikpasses comprehension, and that the conduct of many candidates during the present contest is ungentlemanly and cont mptuous is unfortuntelya too true. This phase of the contest arises from the banking troubles of the past session. The session itself was remarkable for the amount of coarse personalities Hung from one side of the House to the other.