They were on the defensive from the beginning.

The result was a sweeping Democratic victory.
But, strange to say, the same issues that produced Democratic success and Republican defeat at that election brought about Republican success and Democratic defeat at the Presidential and Congressional elections in 1896.

The McKinley Tariff Bill of 1890 was so popular six years later, that the author of that measure was deemed the strongest and most available man to place at the head of the Republican ticket as the candidate of that party for President.

His election was a complete vindication of the wisdom of the measure of which he was the author and champion.

In 1890 his bill was so unpopular that it resulted in his own defeat for reelection to Congress.