The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-24
FREE SILVER WILL KILL ANTI
IMPERIALISM.

|
We think Il dear that tae treaty OF
peace with Spain will be ratified b. the
! Senate just as II has been framed which
makes us the owners Of the Philippine
islands. That seems TO be now past the
domain OF discussion. Those who are
opposed 90 our Union losing its character
must transfer their fighting ground 70
some other point therefore. From this
! time on they must contend that this
| government Will not retain the Islands as
their proposition. but will make a general
pronunciation OF sovereignty and docla-
ration Of the freedom and independence
OF the islands. Our proposition must be
that we will exercise protectorate over
them until they are able TO rule them
selves. when We will withdraw and leave
them TO take their place In the family Of
nations as a new power upon the earth.
We know the difficulties Of the oppon-
cnts OF annexation are very greatly in
creased when they consent TO the acQuisi-
ton OF the islands II is always much
harder to undo a thing than to prevent its
being accomplished. But the stress OF
the present case will not allow the op-
pOnents Of annexation to put out their
whole force I'm fight against the ratihca-
ton Of the treaty. There must be
conclusion OF hostiities with Spain and
10 reject the present treaty is TO leave
us an open war with her and that is
business Of too serious nature to enter
upon now. We must accept the treaty
and continue the discussion of the future
Of the Philippines thereafter.
We can but look upon it as most
unfortunate circumstance that Mr.. VIM.
J. Bryan should have placed himself in
the lead Of this policy. II the proposition
came before the people upon its own mer-
its only. and with no embarrassing con,
necton with other questions, we are far
from disfavorlng Of its acceptance. There
is n large and "A noisy part Of the popula-
ton for acquiring the Philippines because
they think The islands would bring great
wealth TO the country. But there IS also
"a large body Of intelligent and conserva-
tive citizens who love the idea and theory
of our Union as IT has always heretofore
existed\an who look with the deepest
apprehension upon the proposition 20 en-
bark this country upon the imperial pol
icy Of colonization. These citizens make
no noise. but they are Independent think
ers with opinions Of their own, and, if
given an untrammellcd opportunity to
express their opinions, they would do so
with a powerful effect.
But these citizens are in part impla-
cable enemies Of the dcbasing Of our
standard Of value that the free coinage
Of silver would bring on the country.
Dreadful as they think imperialism and
colonization Is. they think free silver
would be worse and they will never vote
for free silver even if tempted to it by all
their hearts yearn for in the matter Of
imperialism. They want imperialism
checked. but they want one standard of
value maintained at all cost.
It is not possible to cast vote for Mr..
Bryan without dealing the credit Of the
coGntry a blow. So absolutely has he
become the incarnation Of all the evils
that free silver represents that his can
didacy alone, would drive vast bodies of
citizens from any issue
whatever that he espoused.
II then, Mr.. Bryan is t. be the Demo-
cratic nominee in 1890 anti-lmperaiism is
lost at the beginning. The country Nill |
not elect a free coiner president whatever
else ne may advocate. 1t is 4 case IN
which IL will endure the evils it has,
rather than fly to others it knows not Of |
But if the Democratic party VIII repu-
diate the free silver and the other a3omi-
nations Of the Chicago platform, come
out Tor the gold standard and currency
reform. and nominate a sound money ana |
old-time Democrat an an anti-eXpans'on |
platform, there IS a good prospect for its |
carving the country and clccting Dem |
ocratic president.