Evening journal., 1898-12-16
Bryan AND TINE LEDGFR.

BRYAN AND THE LEDGER.
The Philadelphia Public Ledger is
nbt friendly to William Jennings
Bryan; neither is it in favor Of the
drifx OF the Republican party towards
imperialism, as the grasping OF distant
colonial possessions is termed. Mr.
Rh,nns dec,hration against imperial
Ism has necessarily made him and the
Public Ledger true friends for the time
being. Commenting editorally upon
MT. Bryans attitude It says:
W6lMam Jennings Bryan may be- and |
he is absolutely hetsrodox on the cur
rency question, but his latest deliver |
ance on the subject OF Imperialism and
expansion is as patriotic as IL is con-
seryative He declares that the inn
ptrfalistic idea is ankHgonastic to Amer
lean ideals, and that to enter upon a
colonial policy, such as is pursued By
European nations, is to abandon the
doctrine that governments derive their
lust powers from the consent of the
governed. To paraphrase IAncolne an
aouncement, Mr.. Bryan contends that
the United States cannot endure half
INANlOiiD anN httA NAANAIf uAll lltO AMu
haf vassal. With respect to territorial
acquisition, he finds great difference
bktween natural expansion into a con-
tguons territory. 20 be ciothed in time
with the dignity of statehood, and the
absorption Of remote islands, peopled
with barbarous and alien races, 10 bel
held In subjection under forns Of gov
ernment not contemplated By the
ff.tts, ,.F 1,.
realizes that the country wants peace
and he believes that it would be wise
to ratify the treaty, and follow this by
the enunciation Of a policy by Congress
with respect to the disposition OF the
new acquisitions. For himself, he would
favor the establishment OF a stable
and really autonomous government for
Cuba, the submission to the Veople of
Porto Rico Of a proposition of annexa-
uion, and the according to the Philip
pines OF an opportunity for the erection
OF a government for and by their own
inhabitants, on plan fashioned like.
that OF Cuba Under no circumstance
would be FAVOR the permanent annexa-
ton OF the Philippines, as that wou.a.
enkAil costs and risks which the UnHso.
States ought not to assume.
Mr.. Bryans views will be antagcn-
ized by MANY, simply because he Isl
their author. But his arguments speak
Tor themselves and should be weighes
on their merits. He is not alone In
his view-pSant. and thousands of his
tealow citizens, to whom the Chicago
Platform Is q monster OF perverted
tenets. are in accord with Mr.. Bryan
with respect to the policy which the
United States should adopt respecting
the new dependencies. 1t will be re-
membered that in going to war with
Spain our avowed object was the paci-
fcaklon of Cuba, from motives OF hn-|
manity. and for the purpose of estab-
fishing a stable government. We ex-
pressig dlsavowed any scheme OF sub
Jugaton as respected Cuba. Victorious
over Spain, we have compelled her To-
reainquish control over Cuba and to-
cede Porto Rico and the Philippine.
With the Declaration OF Independencs
as our guide. how can we, with Justice
or consistency, deny to Porto Rico and
the Philippines the autonomy we con-
ceuE to Cuba? SPANS attitude To-
wards the Flnpincs was precisely the
same as towards the Cubans. She in
nlcted upon both colonies the same
cruel, oppressive and despoiling gov
ernmental system. So far as the
relative prowess CT the Insurgents In
these co4onles is concerned the Philip
pine Islanders certainly have nod
SHOWN themselves to be inferior to the
Suoans We propose to make the Gu
nan freeman and the Filipino a vas
sal 70 iuhll the aspirations of the one
ana TO blast the hopes of the other.
upon What grounds Of justice. reason
or even OF public necessity are we war
tanted In thus discriminating? The
United States went to the assistance of
pAe cuban because be had natural and
poNucal rights that Spain denied him.
Snai It be said that we have made the
t4lp.no our vassal as corollary o,
investing the Cuban with his fun DO
nSleal rights? AS for the people OF
foito hco. they should be permit so
" say something before we decide tC
aeA as tneir step-mother. unless the
necessity is absolute for annexation
Inc truth is that the advocates of lm
Periailsm have thrown consistency K
tne WINDS. They demand that We
snAl annex because we have the phy-
s.eai power. and. Irrespective Of tht
constitution, Of precedents and Of ira.
uatlons' that We shall embark upon al
unknown sea. without star CT compass
Doand no one knows whittier.
tnis is a glowing tribute TO com,
iloM an enemy in the enemy's coun-