Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-12-31
#istellaneuns Reading.
BRYAN ON IMPERIALISM.
Plain, Clear Explanation From a Demo-
cratic Standpoint.
TO BE CONTINUED.

cratlc STANDPOINT
On his return to Lincoln, Neb., on
Friday of last week, Colonel w. J.
Bryan was rendered a reception at
the Olivet Theatre by the Woman's
Bimetallic league. The house was
crowded and Colonel Bryan received
an ovation. He was introduced by
Governor Holcomb, who formally wei.
coined him home and complimented
him for his patriotism in enlisting in
the army.
After thanking his neighbors for
their cordial welcome and compliment
ing the members of his regiment and
Colonel Vifquain, in whose charge he
left them, he justified his resignation
as follows: II had five months oi
peace in the army and resigned in
order to take part in fight. l am as
much interested in the people of the
United States as I am in the people oi
Cuba, and unless I am mistaken in
judging, we are called upon to meet
more important problems in the United
States just now than will confront our
army in Cuba.
"Some of these problems were under
discussion before hostilities began.
Others have been thrust upon Us as a
result of the war. Let me improve
this, my first opportunity, to assure
you that my zeal for the reforms ad'
vocated few months ago has not in
the least abated.
"Vital questions cannot be killed OF
burned and we were dealing with vital
questions when the call to arms re.
sounded throughout the land.
"The American people have not ac'
cepted the gold standard as final. II
has wrought more injustice in our
country during the last 25 years than
Spain has wrought in all her colonies
and opposition to it will grow until the
gold and silver coinage of the consti'
tuition is fully restored. The trusts
which now flourish in deinance oi
laws are more merciless than Weylel
was and the new trust-the paper
money trust-which is seeking to OBJ
tain control of all the paper money in
the nation, is greater menace to the
country's welfare than any foreign foe
There are, however, two new ques
tions which demand immediate atten
tention because congress is asked to ac'
upon them at once.
"The president recommends thai
the regular army be permanently in
creased to 100000 men. This ques
ton must be met now or not at ALL"
Taking up the subject ofimperialisn
Mr.. Bryan said the president has mis-
interpreted the sentiment of the peo
pie. They are opposed to giving the
Philippine Islands back to Spain, but
they have not as yet declared in favor
of embarking upon a colonial policy
So great charge, he said, could moi
be undertaken without more investi
CATION and deliberation than the peo
pie had yet given to the subject.
The principal part Of Mr.. Bryan's
speech was devoted to the Philippine
question. In this connection be re-
ferred to President McKinley's in
quiry "Who will haul down the
flag ?" and replied: "The flag is g
national emblem and is obedient tc
the national will. 1t was made for the
people, not the people for the flag
When the American people want the
flag raised they raise it; when they
want it hauled down they haul il
down. The flag was raised upon
Canadian soil during the war Of 1872
and it was hauled down when peace
was restored. The flag was pitched
upon Chapultepec during the war with
Mexico, and it was hauled down when
the war was over. The morning pa
pers announce that General Lee order
ed the flag hauled down in Cuba yes
terday because it was raised too soon
The flag will be raised in Cuba again
on the 1st of January, but the presi
dent declares in his message that il
will be hauled down as soon as sta
BILE government is established. Who
will deny to the people the right to
haul the flag down in the Philippines
if they so desire, when stable govern
ment is established there?
"Our flag stands for an indissoluble
Union of indestructible states. Every
state is represented by star and
every territory sees in the constitution
a star of hope that will some day take
its place in the constellation. What is
there in the flag to awaken the zeal
or reflect the aspirations of vassal col
onies which are too good to be cast
away, but not good enough to be ad
mitted to the sisterhood of states?
"Shall we keep the Philippines and
amend our flag? Shall we add ne"
star-the bold star, Mars-to indicate