The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-23
BRYAN WILL LEAD AGAIN l.
1900.

Washington. ID. c., Dec. 20.-(Edito-
rial Correspondence.)-Th presence OF
Mr. William Jennings Bryan in the city
this week has caused much speculation
about the issues and the candidates of
the Democratic party in 1900. After
spending n week here and talking with
party leaders from every section of the
country, it is clear that the issues of
1896. plus Il vigorous opposition to inn
perialism and trusts. under the leader
ship of Bryan, will be the issues of
1900.
The victory in 1896 was won by the
successful use of the largest corrup-
ton fund known in the history of Am
crcan politics. 1t was victory for
the trusts and monopolists. pure and
simple. After President Mckinley had
been naugurated, and an administra-
ton elected on the money question by the
lavish use of money had ignored tinan-
cial measures and gone in for a high
tariff-after that administration had
been in power long enough to make its
policies felt. the disappointment was
50 great that il made itself tell all over
the country. The Dingley tariff pro-
duced a deficit and the promised pros
perity failed to naterialize. 1t was
not until the war that the Republican
administration could gain favor in any
section of the country. But for the
failure of the wheat crop abroad and the
war, this administration would be in
a far worse condition than Cleveland
after 1.-The old sheriff betrayed his
party in his second term.
The war saved the Republicans in
the Congressional election in November
though their losses in the House were
very large They are making desperate
effort to keep foreign questions in the
foreground. to dazzle the eyes of the
people by glittering prophecies of the
glOries of expansion and imperialism
to blind the people to the burdens they
bear by picturing the wealth their gov
eminent will help them steal from the
philippines-they are doing these things
in order to prevent another campaign
upon the vital issues of 1896 that must
be enacted into law if the people are to
he saved from the exactions of the
money trust. the tariff robbers, and
others who continually prey upon the
1t is not so much be-
cause the administration wants
the Philippines as because it
wants to avoid the discussion
of the wrongs and e2travagances
of Republican rule in 1900. When the
Peace Commission went to Paris, it was
instructed not to take the Philippines.
Why the sudden change of policy? The
President thought it was good party
politics to keep alive the Philippine ques-
ton in order to prevent n discussion of
robbery by trusts, the scandals of the
War Department, and the extravaganza
that has marked Republican rule. The
President changed his position because
he thought expansion would be a popu-
lar issue. and because it would enable
his party TO keep away from domestic
problems which they do not desire to
attempt to solve
The President is nothing but a pleas
ant, agreeable and plausible politician.
Nothing weighs with him but party adj
vantage Here in Washington nobody
regards him as a leader in any policy.
The cries of the starving Cubans did
not move him. but the cry for a party
issue stirred his soul to its depths. The
conduct of the war on humane lines did
not appeal to him, but Ayers method
of making the war a Republican ma
chine was either inspired by the Presi-
dent, or welcomed by him. The acqui-
sition of the Philippines is not desired
by him to extend commerce or religion.
but it is kept in view because he thinks
it winning card for his party. And
ca inos Mr ATs.J[ inIa Low
is a politician who will be for silver or
against silver, whichever is popular; he
will be for or against war for the same
reason; he will speak pleasant words to
the South or vote for Force bill; he
will advocate expansion or non-eXpan-
sion. The reason he can hop from one
thing to another so quickly is because
he is a man without eonvictions-a
pleasant politician, who will use Hanna
and be used by him to advance his
interests without conjunction of con-
science. That's his measure.
The position of Mr.. Bryan is in strik-
ing contrast to that of the President. He
commands the confidence of the whole
country by his frankness and di-
rectness. He never trims or
lodges, and does not wait to
find the drift of public sentiment before
defining his position. He sounded the
first clear note of resistance to impe-
rialism two days before he joined the
army in a speech at the opening of the
Omaha Exposition. He then and there,
while urging war for the sake Of hui
mainly, planted himself on the principle
that all governments derive their just
powers from the consent of the govern
ed, and warned his countrymen against
dreams of Imperialism. Then he donned
the uniform of his country as Colonel
of the Third Nebraska regiment and
went into service. During the months
that interviewed before the Peace treaty
was signed at Paris he was a soldier,
pure and simple. When peace was for
mally and securely made, he resigned
and returned TO private life. He sig
nalzed his return to private life by tax
ing up the note Of warning he had
sounded at Omaha by appealing to the
country not to look to Imperialism as
the policy of America, declaring that the
Republic cannot endure half free and
half yassal" Mr.. Bryan did not stop
with his exposure of the ills Of impe-
rialism and the danger to self-govern-