The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-15

The most significant political deliver
ance since the famous campaign OF 1896
Is The interview which Colonel VIM. J.
Rryan gave out from Savannah, as pub
ushed In the papers Of yesterday on the
subject OF imperialism. Colonel Bryan
presentation Of the subject is clear and
forcefui. Il may be in error" said he
"but In my judgment our nation Is IN
greater danger just now than Cuba our
people defended cuba against foreign
arms: now they must defend themselves
and their country against foreign idea
the colonization idea Of European ma
lions. Heretofore greed has perverted
the government and used its instrumental
interferences for private gain; but now
the very foundation principles Of our gov
ernment are assaulted
Mr.. Bryan then points out the difference
between expansion, as supported by MI
Jefferson. and imperialism, and emDha-
sizes the fact that jefferson favored the
annexation Of necessary contiguous ter
titory on the North American continent
20 avoid European complications but was
opposed 10 wars Of conquest and special
~ condemned the acquiring of remote
territory. or as former Governor stone
OF Missouri, puts Il, Mr.. Jenerson's idea
was that the United States had no right
10 acquire territory except TO develop it
into o condition OF statehood.
But the argument which Mr.. Bryan
uses. and which, as We have said, IS
SOUND does not interest as so much ana
is not so significant as the fact that in
this interview for the first time since he
became a candidate for the Presidency
he absolutely ignores the silver question
and says so plainly that the most ardent
silverites must understand his meaning
that Imperialism IS to-day the great
overshadowing political question in these
United states. Hitherto Mr. Bryan had
said that the silver question was the
leading issue and that all other questions
were subordinate to IL. But he now pub
Hcly pFoclaims that imperialism is the
thing which the Democratic party is call
cd upon TO combat with all its might. and
the inference is that free silver is a
question of minor consideration.
In saying this we do not mean TO i'm
pute TO Mr.. Bryan insincerity or tickle,
ness Mr. Bryan s. a very close student
Of public questions and he knows that
there is q time for al things. lie sees
that with returning prosperity the West
ern States, notably his own state of Ne
braska, have changed front on this cues
ton Of silver and ne knows full Well that
If he should go before the people to-mor-
row on the Chicago platform he would
be overwhelmingly defeated. he is cont
pened 10 admit 10 himself however
sincere and earnest ne may have been in
his former belief, that this country can
and will prosper under the gold standard.
that free silver IS not necessary 70 the
welfare OF the nation. and that the great
danger which DOW threatens IS not the
gold standard, as he once believed. but
this new tangled policy OF imperialism
which the Republican party is so deter
mined 10 pursue.
Is this not a most notable change in the
politics Of the United States? Who
would have believed twelve months ago
that William J.. Bryan would be the man
to stand tp before the American people
and. speaking for the first time after
silence OF several months. proclaim that
there was a greater living question be-
fore the American people than that Of the
free and unlimited coinage OF silver.
How often have our esteemed contem-
poraries throughout Virginia pooh-poohed
ana ridiculed The Times when We have
said that the free silver issue was wan
ing. Little did they think that that
statement would so soon be verified by
the great leader Of the free silver move
ment.
But we are not disposed % boast. We
are Just gratiaed at the prospect which
t. now 40 bright Of reunited Democ-
racy in these United States uphoidng
the great principles OF the party and
fsghting against that party which has al
ways favored a strong national govern
meni with monarchicai tendencies. We
interpret Mr.. Bryans deiverance az
bugai call 20 Democrats OF AL shades OF
difference There was time when Mr..