davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
DEIFYING BRYAN.
A Democrat vigorously Kicks and
Utters u Few HercticaI MOrds.

Memphis Commercial-Appeal (dem).
Is Bryan a god? We have a very high
opinion of the talents and the character Of
William ]. Bryan. He is one Of the greatest
orators this country has seen for many a
day. He is clean and pure man, against
whom no breath Of unworthy doing has
ever blown. He made in 1896 the most re-
markable canvass ever conducted in this
country, and we recognize in him an avail
able man for the presidential nomination in
1900.
But having said this. we propose to say
something else There are a good many
democrats, mostly politicians. who care
nothing about the financial question and
know less, who are inclined to maintain
that Bryan is omniscient and infallible, that
to deny his lien on the democratic nomina-
tion is to prove ones self a traitor to the
party, and that the true test Of democracy
Is allegiance to the personal fortunes of this
eloquent and estimable young American
These men insist on asking candidates for
office not only whether they indorse the
Chicago platform, but whether they indorse
"the gallant Bryan" and pledge themselves
to work for his nomination in 1900 We
have not the slightest objection to Mr..
Bryan's aspiring to be the democratic nomi-
the nomination, and if he is then nominated
he will receive our hearty support. But
we beg leave to take exception to several
propositions advanced by the politicians.
In the first place, we do not consider that
the democratic party exists for any one man,
or Is any one man. Nor do we regard the
democracy as the party Of one issue. At
present Bryan is not the nominee Of the
party. He is a private citizen like the rest
of us, and his particular views are no more
binding on another democrat than that
democrats views are binding on Bryan. We
do not consider that any convention or
primary has any more right to make dem
ocratic candidate pledge himself to Bryan
than to Bland or Stone, or Cleveland, or
Dink Bolts. II 1t is undemocratic to dissent
from the idea that democracy involves per-
sonal allegiance to a distinguished private
citizen. then there Is no escaping the in
ference that Bryan Is a god. II he Is a
god, then II is the duty OF the democratic
worshipers not only to agree with him on
the financial question, but on every other
question.
very large body Of democrats recently
have taken an advanced position on the
subject Of national expansion. but II Bryan
Is infallible and his utterances tantamount
10 tne la" ana tne prophets then the demo-
Gratis OF Texas, Missouri and other states are
traitors to their party II Is a great in
Justice to and reflection upon the demo-
cratic party to encourage the idea that Bryan
Is the beginning and the end, the whole
hing, while the rest OF us are without form
and void. In the time OF Magarin the
'ardinal was so completely France that there
was current jest to the effect that the
servants were in the habit OF going to the
cardinals Kitchen to see II there were any
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
HA Wan AMERICAN TERRITORY.

A'@h " Oil h-hbhiC<iN Z.
The Hawaiian islands are now Ameri.
can territory and their people-that is,
the natives-are American citizens, with
claim as complete as that of all other
citizens to the protection of this gov
ernment. For the time being. or until
congress shall legislate for the islands,
the administration of affairs will be
carried on by the officials of the re.
public. A commission to recommend to
congress legislation for Hawaii is in
Honolulu and will make a thorough in
vestigation as to the legislation re-
quired. 1t has been suggested that M.
islands might be made a county of Cali
fornia, but there is little probability OF
this being done, since it is not likely the
people of California would assent to
such an arrangement. Undoubtedly the
Islands will be given a territorial form
of government, perhaps in a general
way similar to the territorial govern
ments here. Congress is not bound in
this matter, however, to follow prece.
dents. 1T has unrestricted authority in
regard to territories. AS was stated a
short time ago Dy the United States
court of appeals sitting in San Fran.
cisco, the territories Of the United
States are entirely subject to the legis-
lative authority of congress. Under this
authority congress may legislate in ac-
cordance with the needs of each locality
and vary its regulations to meet the cir
cumstances of the people. 1t is there
fore possible that congress will provide
a form of government for Hawaii diff
ferent from that of our territories.
The plan of government for the isl
ands, however, is not matter that pre-
sents any difficulties. The question is
whether this new possession is to prove
benefit or a burden. or course Homo
lulu will be fortified and a garrison will
be maintained there. Perhaps the ex-
pense of this will be paid out of the
revenue Of the islands, though this can
not be regarded as assured. 1t is eX-
pected that the islands will become
more productive, but there Is reason to
believe that expectation in this respect
Is somewhat extravagant, the induce
ment to investment there being no
better now than it has been since the
republic was established. Undoubtedly
annexation has been Of very great ma
terial benefit to the men who own most
of the cultivable land in Haw ali, but it
is not apparent that there are opportuni-
ties for the profitable investment Of
much additional capital there and the
islands offer nothing for American
labor.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
Spain's Navy Wiped Out.
Boston Transcript

The Spanish estimate of their naval losses,
according to Madrid paper, foots up IL
cruisers, 42,974 tons; torpedo boat de-
stroyers, 76O tons; 81 gunboats, 4,3OS tons;
total Of 80 war vessels of 4S,042 tons. This
estimate. it should be added. was made up
before Manila surrendered and is probably
for that reason considerably below the truth.
The losses of the Spanish merchant marine
have been remarkably heavy also. Taken
altogether, Spain as a naval power is left
not much above her neighbor, Portugal,
as the result Of the war. She has more
vessels it is true, but their effectiveness
is very questionable
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
GET DOW,N TO RUSINESS.

Ever since the exposition opened, In
fact ever since it was organized, it has
been with the greatest difficulty that the
directors could be gotten together Mt
regular or special meetings in sufficient
numbers to constitute quorum to do
business. Time and time again the
directory has been compelled to adjourn
over and to give up its sessions alto
gether because it's own members have
not displayed enough interest to put in
an attendance.
The business Of the exposition is too
important to permit of this neglect by
the very men who have undertaken to
direct its affairs. The responsibilities
resting upon the directors are too great
to be thus shifted and evaded. The
exposition requires the same kind of
business management that every great
public and private corporation requires
and it is certain that none of the
absentee directors would for a moment
think Of neglecting their own business
in such a fragrant manner.
When the original board of directors
was elected for the exposition nearly
two years ago there was huge scram-
Bile to secure the positions. Every
vacancy that has occurred has been
eagerly sought and awarded among
competing candidates. The directors
have been most vigilant in guarding
the honors and protecting the perquisites
that appertain to their POSITIONS. They
have been jealous in voting free passes
to themselves and their wives and care.
full not only to provide themselves with
silver badges as insignia of their official
power, but also to insist upon full
recognition of the silver emblems for
all gala occasions, not to mention the
Midway sideshows and other exposition
concessions. But when their presence
Is needed to transact the pressing busi-
ness of the great enterprise, not half
of these be-silvered directors are in
evidence.
The question naturally suggests ITSELF
Is 1t not time for the absentee directors
to show up and get down to business or
turn In their free passes and enamelcd
badges and make way for men who
VIII do so? A director of big corpora
tion who fails to evince any interest in
It's welfare is promptly asked to re-
sign, and under our city charter a
councilman who persistently absents
himself from the meetings OF the
municipal directory renders himself
subject to expulsion.
To say that the executive committee
consists OF capable and energetic men
who can perform the duties of the full
board is only beating around the bush,
because the ultimate responsibility
resting upon the whole exposition
directory cannot thus be unloaded.
Every directors meeting from now on
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

dinner for the king OF France. That jest
illustrates an extreme type OF despotism, yet
IL is not more extreme than that which
certain short sighted individuals would i'm
pose upon the body Of American freomen
who compose the democratic party.
Not only do we dissent from the narrow
minded dictaton OF these politicians. but we
contend that the presidential lists are open
and that they are not the personal property
Of MIR. Bryan. Any democrat in the United
States has just as much right to aspire to
the democratic nomination and that gentle-
man. and the citizen who favors another
nominee than Bryan. does not thereby cease
to be a democrat. There are, we know, a
number OF people in this country who are
inclined to endow Mr.. Bryan with the at
tributes of divinity, but we really do not
believe that he is n god,
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
A PRAYER.

s. Weir Mitchell in Harper's Weekly
And in thy majesty ride prosperity be.
cause of truth and meekness and righteous
ness; and thy right hand shall teach thee
terrible things.-Psalm xiv.
Almighty God! eternal source
OF every arm we dare to WELD,
Be thine the thanks, as thine the force,
on reeling deck or stricken field;
The thunder of the battle hour
Is but the whisper of thy power.
By thee was given the thought that bowed
All hearts upon the victor deck,
When high above the battles shroud
The white flag fluttered DER the wreck,
And thine the hand that checked the cheer
In that wild hour of death and fear.
o Lord of Love! be thine the grace
To teach. amid the wrath of war,
Sweet pity for a humbled race,
Some thought of those in lands afar,
Where sad-eyed women Vanly yearn
For those who never shall return.
Great master, of earth's mighty school
Whose children are of every land,
Inform with love our alien rule,
And stay us with thy warning hand
If, tempted by imperial greed,
We in thy watchful eyes exceed.
That, in the days to come, o Lord!
When we ourselves have passed away,
And all are gone who drew the sword,
The children of our breed may say,
These were our sires who, doubly great
Could strike yet spare the fallen State.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

John X. Mclean promptly brands as a
fiction the absurd story about his selec-
ton by President Mckinley to be the
successor of Secretary Alger at the head
OF the War department. But even the
prompt denial Of Mr.. Mclean was not
able to head off the numerous news
paper fakeries that seized upon the
yarn and featured it as IA political SEN
sation with the same avidity with which
they blazoned forth all the ridiculous
war fakes while hostilities We're pend,
ing with Spain.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
CUBAN ANNEXATIONrSTS.

The sentiment in favor of the anneXa.
tion of Cuba by the United States is
said to be growing in the island and the
statement is credible. 1t is easy to
understand that the Spanish residents
desire this, they having no confidence
in the capacity of majority of the
native Cubans to establish a stable gov
ernment, while for the same reason
those Cubans who were loyal to Spain
would prefer to live under the govern
ment Of the United States, which would
insure them protection. 1t Is to be eX-
pected, therefore, that there will be a
very urgent appeal from those people in
behalf of annexation and it Is highly
probable that it will find many sympa-
thizers In this country. There is
already pretty strong annexation
undercurrent here and it may easily
grow. The solemn pledge of the United
States in regard to Cuba precludes any
open declaration favorable to annexiny
the island, but there is plenty of intima-
ton that it may become necessary for
this government to absorb Cuba in
order to give the island good govern
ment and promote its development.
The very general feeling, however, is
that we are bound to give the people
of Cuba fair chance to show whether
or not they are capable of self-govern-
ment and manifestly this must be done,
II we would retain. the respect of the
world for our pledges. In this matter
our integrity and honor are involved.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

AS the campaign is about to open
the do-nothing state railway commission
which has been serving no other pur-
pose than to transfer $4,000 year from
the state treasury to the pockets OF
three popocratic politicians may be ex-
pected to feign life and give signs of
galvanized activity. But the farmers
know enough to see through the hole in
a milestone and they also know that
whatever the state board may now do
is for political effect only and with the
consent of the authorities at railroad
headquarters, from which all its orders
come
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
The War Cloud Over China.

Whatever may be done in the case Of the
Philippines, this country already has too
good chance for wholesome expansion
of trade in the orient not to sympathize
with Englands policy Of unrestricted trade
relations. Should Salisbury retire, as it
has been hinted he may do, or should some
of the younger British diplomats break
loose from the restraint of Queen Victoria,
whose hatred Of bloodshed is intense, and
carry the crisis to the point Of war; Ameri
can interests might be affected in no small
degree. A strict observance Of neutrality
need not hinder us in that event from eX-
erting our moral influence toward securing
equal opportunities for all the world in the
orient.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
LEADING HERO OF THE wAR.

New York World For full admiral. COM
mander OF our mighty and magnificent sea
power, George Dewey. He has won the posi-
ton and has shown that he has the capacity
to fill 1t.
New York Tribune There isn't a man
living who can do big Job with greater
neatness and dispatch than Rear Admiral
Dewey, and there isn't one who can report
1t properly in smaller compass.
Louisville Courier Journal; The capture
OF Manila just as the curtain fell on the last
act establishes beyond peradventure the po-
stion of Admiral Dewey as the cenral fig
ure OF the war. The first man and the last
one to strike hostile blow, every movement
was made with such judgment and skill
and was met with such success that he
stands out conspicuous among his associates
Washington Post: The president and the
people, through congress, can show their
appreciation of the eminent worth of this
man. He should be made an admiral The
proud title held by Farragut and Porter
is not too great for him. He is of the
stuff that heroes are made and the time
has not yet been reached when the nation
can afford to pass unrecognized such signal
merit as he has shown. Let the grade OF
admiral, now abandoned, be again created.
L ne Hatlon owes IL 10 the man VINO mas
done SO much and done it so well.
Philadelphia Ledger: Admiral Dewey
comes out of the war with the highest dis
tincton. He not only did his work well,
but he was fortunate in opening the con-
test with great victory and ending it with
the most crushing blow that Spain could
have received after the surrender Of Cuba
and Porto Rico. The peace commission,
thanks to Admiral Dewey, will have to de-
termne what is to be the future of Amer
lean possessions in the Philippines, not what
is to be done with the Spanish colonies,
and 1t makes a great deal of difference
which way the problem is presented.
New York Sum- The final service rendered
by Dewey at Manila confirms the opinion,
which is practically unanimous among the
American people, that he ought to be made
vice admiral. Indeed, We believe that there
would be unanimous approval in this coun-
try. with an applauding chorus from ad-
mirers OF great seamanship in unlocking
nations, il he should be made admiral. Ger
tainly in breadth and wisdom of plan and
audacity OF execution he is to be placed in
the same class with Farragut, and his dis
play of administrative qualities and OF dip
lomatic tact in dealing both with foreign
fleets and with the Philippine insurgents
shows him to be a statesman as well as
q sailor.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

Almost every meeting of national pro-
portions nowadays discusses the ques-
ton OF uniform legislation on the SUBJ
jects that most vitality concern its men,
bers. Many Of them pass resolutions
demanding uniform bankruptcy laws,
banking laws, contract labor laws, or
similar measures, but so far no uni
form state legislation has been secured
on any single subject. The popular
drift is undoubtedly in that direction,
but the way to accomplish the result
has not yet been devised.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
THE ECONOMIC SIDE.

Senator Lindsay of Kentucky said in
recent Interview that in the markets
of the world we will be compelled TO
meet prices of competing nations, there
fore we must cultivate the cheaper
production rather than the supposed
benefits Of protection. The tendency
of the future, he said. will he for freer
Philippines American provinces the
question Of free raw material will be
solved. The Washington correspondent
Of the New York Times quotes one
whom he designates an "old cam
paigncr' as saying that protection was
very well while it was well. SO long as
we had to upbuild manufactures help
was excusable. Now it Is different and
the war has made it all at once seem
useless and intolerable. We must
freer in our trade relations" A British
newspaper recently declared that If the
United States desires the continued
support of Great Britain we must give
of course to all countries.
The economic side of the new condi-
tons should command the thoughtful
attention of the American people. If,
as Senator Lindsay suggests, we must
cultivate the cheaper production rather
than the supposed benefits of protec-
ton, what will that mean for American
labor? Can we have cheaper produc.
ton without cheapening the labor of the
country? The policy of protection
which this country has adhered to from
the beginning of the government, the
degree only of protection being changed
from time to time, has found large
measure of it's justification in the fact
that under it's operation American labor
has been better paid than the labor Of
any other country, with the necessary
effect of elevating 1t. The higher aver
age standard Of living of the working
men of the United States as compared
with those of England is due largely
to the policy under which the labor en-
ployed in our industries has been pro-
tectcd against the cheaper labor of Eu-
rope. If now we must abandon this
policy in order to "broaden out" will
it not necessarily follow that American
labor must retrograde ard eventually
reach the lower standard of other coun-
tries? And if this should happen would
it not be a great price to pay for broad
ening out? If in order to secure addi.
tiOnal markets or to increase our trade
in those we have it is necessary to
cheaper and degrade American labor
we had better be satisfied with what
we have. The gain would not justify
the sacrifice.
But those who hope for the abandon
ment of protection are very likely to
be disappointed. 1t is quite possible
that at some time in the future. per-
haps not remote, the policy will be modi-
fed. Doubtless some of our industries
do not need the measure of protection
they now have. Perhaps few of them
do not require any protection. The
present tariff law could probably be
modified without doing any injury to
the industries or the labor of the coun-
try. But at all events the policy of
protection will be adhered to, regard
less of territorial acquisition or the
question Of trade expansion. We may
recognize the principle of the "open
door" in the Philippines, but we shall
not apply it to the United States. The
policy that safeguards American labor
will not be abandoned by the Ameri-
can people.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

That is a neat compliment to the
Twenty-second infantry of the regular
army to name the camp at Montauk
Point after their late commander, Col
onel Wikoff. who was killed in the
fight around Santiago Camp Wikoff
is a living memorial to the brave SOL
dier who gave up his life to the cause
of humanity.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

The captain general of the Philippines and
his second in command appear to have been
two of kind. One sneaked away on board
German cruiser and the other hid in
church in company with the women and
children during the bombardment Nor
could Dewey's aide get him to leave the
church until he assured him the storm was
over and he need not spread his umbrella.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
Glory Enough to Go Around


There was glory enough to go around at
Manila on August 1S, and the commander
Of the squadron which shelled the land de-
lenses was quite willing as shown by his
dispatch to the Navy department, that some
one else should share in the honors of vic
tory. The fleet under my command
didn't do it all, and there was no claim to
that effect
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24
Nothing Equal to 1t Anywhere.

~" fVrh foTc5I dPII-NSV'
The enchanted appearance Of the great
Omaha Exposition battles description.
Prominent visitors who have seen all previ-
GUS expositions in this country and in Flu
rope declare that nothing equal 10 /. has
ever before been ACCOMPLISHED, particularly
in the electric lighting OF the buildings and
grounds, which far surpasses even the superb
display at the Chicago Worlds fair.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

The first result of the appointment of
an Independent auditor for the exposi-
tion is to stop the practice of accommo-
dating favorites with advances on
money coming to them as salaries or
otherwise. The exposition cash drawer
is not exactly the place for memoran-
dun Sins
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

There are men whose names appear
upon the list of exposition directors who
have not attended five meetings since
they have been elected to the board.
This does not seem to betoken proper
appreciation Of the honor enjoyed.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

Douglas county republicans have
plenty of material for strong
local ticket this year. No man who
would not add strength to the ticket
should have any encouragement in can
didacy for any office.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

American flag has been raised in Ilouo-
lulu. Just where this proceeding leaves
"thc late Minister Sewall' is probably
question that gives our former diplo-
matte representative in Hawaii consid.
erabe bother.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

While dilating upon the reforms ac-
complished by the demo-pop state ad-
ministration a few words might not be
out of order about the numerous re-
forms promised by the fusion candi-
dates two years ago, but which have
for some reason failed to materialize.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

The outlawed bogus reform police
board still goes through the mechanical
motions, but finds it hard to get even
Its own members to attend the weekly
meetings. The handwriting on the
wall is so plain they cannot escape
reading IT.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

The declaration of principles pro-
mulgated by Nebraska republicans this
year occupies less than half news
paper column, but it expresses the whole
thing in a nutshell and leaves no room
for confounding the position of repub.
lican candidates.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

A few weeks in the bracing atmos-
phere of Fort Omaha will put the Sec
ond Nebraska boys into fighting trim
and destroy the usefulness of the hos
pital service.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-24

Another sig1 Of increased prosperity
may be seen in the renewed activity of
the John l.. Webster literary bureau
viewed through the rejecting lenses OF
his syndicate country press.