The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-15
Rryan as an onportunIst.

his regiment, may find an explanation
in the fact that the colonel comes out
within two days after his resignation
with a lengthy political interview. The
truth seems to be that the colonel began
to realize that he was kept in sort of
political retirement, 60 long as he held
his commission in the army, ana
couldn't rest comfortably under the en-
forced quietness, as he beheld rival can
didates for the Democratic nomination
OF 1900 getting In. their work.
Colonel Bryans interview proves him
to be more than ever what the Euro
peans call an opportunlst, He was an
opportunist when he saw the free silver
craze spreading over the country, gath
ering up various uncertain elements like
tidal wave and convincing many that
IL would sweep the country and put
somebody into the Presidential ehalr.
Mr.. Bryan got in on the ground floor
and rode in the band wagon to Chicago.
But his ambition was disappointed, and
since then he has witnessed the country
get back to first principles and the six
teen-to-one craze subslde.
Now Colonel Bryan sees another OPP
portuhlty. True, 1t IS a little late for
the ground floor process. but the band
wagon is available, and, being relieved
OF his military position, at his request,
ne has grasped the taii-end Of the We
hicle and Mil soon be on the front seat
against the so-callet but misnamed pol
icy OF imperialism" That Is a catchy
word, and just suits Colonel Bryan, be-
cause it is just as far from describing
the real thing as some Of the terms he
applied to the honest money policy
which was sustained over his protests by
the people.
imperialism" will be the colonels
bette nolre. and not the gold bugs" this
time, and he will do his best 10 catch up
with the procession, headed by Mr..
Bailey and others, which has got coHsid-
erably the start of him. To DC sure the
matter viii not place him in the white
house any more surely, but he will ride
on the front seat, Just the same.
What makes us think that the colonel
has good show to occupy a prominent
place among the "arti-cxpanslonist
Democrats ls that he has had time to
study public sentiment, while others
have been engaged in a political cam
DaIgn, and in his interview, which ig-
nores the once paramount issues OF
free silver, ne occupies conservative
and sensible ground with regard to the
peace treaty 1t may bring down upon
tflg head criticisms by the radical or
gans, but he is Just a shade nearer the
proper view OF present duties than they
are.
Colonel Bryan is not in favor Of em'
barrassing matters and casting rsproach
on the honor OF the country by repudiot-
Ing the act of our peace commissioners
by rejecting The treaty. He plainly takes
the ground that the treaty must be ratI-
fed. This is not the proper fight, he de-
cIares. III the treaty is rejected nego-
tiatIons must be renewed, and instead of
settling the questions according to our
ideas NC must settle It by diplomacy
with the possibility Of international
complications. 1t will be easier, I think,
to end the war at once by ratifying t:lc
treaty and then deal with the subject in
our way"
While Bryln does not agree with t'res-
Jdent Mckinley in the ultimate result
of the consideration of these matters, he
certainly Osrees with him on this phase
OF the treaty question. First end the
war By ratlrylng the treaty and then
deal with the questions concerning the
government or disposal OF the territory
acquired. 1t is the only sensible way,
the only logical way. What the PrGsi-
dent said in his message, was that after
the treaty is ratified these questions
must be dealt with by Congress; Mr..
Bryan says practically the same thing.
Mr., Bryan is a step in advance Of
those who would begin by defeating the
treaty, and making no end OF trouble
and lowering us in the estimation of the
world. He is for the only logical way.
no matter how radically he may oppose
the Philippine policy supposed to be adj
vocated by the administration. Only by
calm, cool defibcration can our differ
ences be settled; not by undolng all that
mas been done. and requiring all of II
to be gone over again and provoke no
end Of embarrassment. with foreign pow
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