The American election comes off next Tuesday. All accounts received
this week point to a rapid increase in the bitterness of parties, who threaten one another with physical 2oercion, though as yet the rioting has not been serious. It is fully admitted that the result depends on the vote A the Mid-West States, and Mr. Bryan's reception in Illinois has to a certain extent dismayed the Republican party. Its friends still declare themselves confident, but acknowledge that Mr. Bryan has a magical effect upon the masses, and are evidently distrustful as to the vote of all working men. The Bryanites declare that three million voters are pledged by oath taken in secret Associations to vote for silver, but both sides admit that many pledges will be broken. A vast quantity of statistics are published, but they differ violently, and with the election so near we shall not quote them, merely repeating our long- formed opinion that with Press and pulpit in his favour, Mr. McKinley will win, but that the vote for Mr. Bryan will deprive his victory of half its value. The ballot this time keeps its secret well.
