The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-23


If the opponents of owning the Philip
pines should spend their strength in OPP
posing the treaty, they would be defeat
ed in the Senate and the imperialistS
would be regarded as having won a
signal victory. Mr.. Bryan was wise
enough to caution the anti-imperialists
against this tactical error, and he adj
vised those who agreed with him in OPP
posing the Philippines to pursue this
course:
'Some think that the fight should be
made against ratification of the treaty,
but | would prefer another plan. If the
treaty is rejected negotiations must be
renewed, and instead of settling the
question according to our ideas, we must
settle it by diplomacy, with the posi-
bility of international complications. 1t
will be easier, | think. TO end the war at
once by ratifying the treaty and then
deal with the subject i'll our own way.
The issue can be presented directly by
n resolution of Congress, declaring the
policy of the nation upon this subject.
The President says in his message that
our only purpose i'll taking possession of
Cuba is to establish a stable government
and then turn that government over to
the people of Cuba. Congress could re-
affirm this purpose in regard to Cuba,
and assert the same purpose in regard
TO the Philippine Islands and Porto
Rico. Such resolution would make q
clcar-cut issue between the doctrine of
self-government and the doctrine of i'm
perialism. We should reserve II harbOr
and coaling station in Porto Rico and
the Philippines in return for services
rendered, and | think we would be justi-
fed in asking the same concession from
Cuba"
After giving that advice he came to
Washington, not to dictate to his party.
but to confer with its leaders and to
urge his plan as better than the one
suggested of making the confess only
against the ratification of the treaty.
His views have been endorsed by many
and it is believed here that the wisdom
Of his policy will be demonstrated and
that il will be upon the line marked
out by him that the clear-cut issue viii
be presented to the country. Mr.. Bry-
ans course in this matter is i'll keeping
with his course on all public questions
that are Mt issue He makes up his
mind to the course he thinks right,
and he advocates it in the view of the
world. He invites dicussion. is tolerant
of differences of opinion. and is as
transparent in his public career as he is
pure and incorruptible in his private
life.
When Mr.. Bryan. after retiring from
the army. gave utterance first of all of
his hostility to imperialism, some OF the
gold standard organs began to say that
il was equivalent to abandoning the Cnl-
cago platform, and seeking to wage the
fight i'm 1900 on another issue. lie soon
set that rumor to rest by declaring that
the chief issues of 1896 would be the
chief issues of 1900. He stands to-day
for the same principles of which he
was the exponent in 1896. He believes
in an American policy to De adopted and
adhered to without waiting for the
consent of any other nation lie will
antagonize the policy of imperialism,
borrowed from European nations, just
as he antagonizes the English gold stand
ard policy. And he will be vigorous in
fighting both of these enemies of the
peace and prosperity of the American
Republic.
BRYAN is the unquestioned leader of
the Democratic party. 1t has other
great men, but he is Democracy incar-
nate. He stands to-day for what JEFF
ferson stood in 1898, and the same kind
of men who assailed Jefferson an hun
dred years ago assail Bryan now. John
w. Daniel said in 1896 at Richmond,
after Bryan had spoken from the bal
cony of the Jefferson hotel, IN full view
of the marble statue of Jefferson, he al
most thought as he heard Bryan that the
marble statue had come to life and that
it was Jefferson himself speaking to the
people. In 1896 Jefferson ran for the
presidency. He was opposed by the
CLASSES" of that day and called DEM
agogue. In 1900 the masses" rose in
their might and put Jefferson in the
White House. History repeats itself.
There will be no opposition worthy the
name to Bryans denomination.
There is not n man mentioned
for leader of the Democratic minority
Bailey. Richardson, De Almond, Bank
head-who is not an outspoken advocate
of the Chicago platform.
The South and West are solid for
Bryan. He will carry Wisconsin, Michi-
gan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and
most of the delegates from the New Eng
land and Middle States There will be
no sitting bolt in the National Conven-
ton of 1900. More than three-fourths
of the delegates will be earnest Bryan
men and if there are others they will
be Democrats who submit to 1.-THE arbi-
trament of the national convention.
In 1896 the chief interest in the national
convention centered in the platform. In
1896 the platform and the candidate
for president will be already chosen by
the voters in the conventions OF the
States. and the chief work of the Nat
ional Convention, after ratifying the
will of the people as to platform and
presidential candidate-will be to select
candidate for vice-president There
will be no such trouble in 1900 as trou-
bled the party in 1896. There are many
able men who will be glad to accept,
and we may look to see a contest among
strong and able men for the honor of
presiding over the Senate from 1901 to
1905.
cooo+or Jon,ac X Homes chairman of