The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-16

hut can they destroy that self-evident
truth. that governments derive their just
powers-not from superior force-Dut
from the consent OF the governed?
Shall we abandon a just resistance TO
European encrOachment upon the West
orn Hemisphere. I'm order TO minglc In the
controversies OF Europe and Asiay
Nebraska, standing midway between
the oceans will contribute her fun share
toward the protection OF our sea coast.
Her sons will support the flag at home
and abroad. wherever the honor and the
interests OF the nation may require. Ne
brasSa VIII hold up the hands OF the gov
eminent while the battle wages. ana
when the war clouds roll away. her voice
Will be heard pleading for the mainte-
nance OF those ideas which inspired the
founders OF our government and gave the
nation its proud eminence among the
nations OF the earth.
II others turn 20 thoughts OF aggrand-
izement and yield allegiance TO those
who clothe land covetousress in the at
tractive garb OF national destiny the
people of Nebraska Will, 81 l mistake not
their sentiments plant themselves upon
the disclaimer entered by Congress ana
expect that good faith shall characterize
the making OF peace as il did the begin
ming OF war.
Goldsmith calls upon statesmen'
ITO Judge how wide the limits stand
Betwixt n splendid and a happy land.
II some dream OF the splendors OF n
heterogeneous empire encircling the globe
we shall be content TO aid i'm bringing
enduring happiness to n homogeneous
people. consecrated 10 the purpose OF
maintaining ~ government of the peo-
pie. by the people and for the people.
Such an expression as this were inter
estIng from any source. but coming frone
the accepted leader Of the National Dem
ocratic party. it has a peculiar signih-
canoe We said the other day that 1t was
given out in Washington that there was
n disposition among leading Democrats
to abandon the heresies Of the Chicago
platform and TO put the party on the old
time platform Of Jeffersonian Democracy.
making antagonism to this proposed pol
icy Of Imperialism the leading issue. the
central plank in the platform.
We pause here to mention another Sig
niacant political event The Republicans
OF Illinois held their state Convention day
before yesterday on the very day on which
Mr.. Bryan delivered the address from
which we have quoted. The platform
adopted endorses the policy Of the Repub-
iican administration. declaring that that
administration is equal 10 a tudicious
management of the nations financial az
fairs. Having thus disposed OF tho cur
rency question, the convention resolved
that tho United States should hold all
the possessions It has conquered and may
conquer from Spain which shall be adj
vantageous to its interest in times Of war
and pence" It also resolved that the
nation go in FOR a great navy, and so on.
all in line with the policy of Imperialism.
Are not these things most significant?
Do they not indicate that imperialismSis
to be the great national issue. advocated
by the Republicans and opposed by the
Democrats? II looks 10 us so. and Mr..
Bryan has lost no time in sounding the
note Of warning and in registering his
own protest against such a policy.
Here is a great and magnificent oppor-
tunity for the Democrats Of the country
to get together. il they will but discard
the Chicago platform and take up any
platform which the party has adopted in
days past inserting as the central plank
opposition &. Imperialism. we believe that
there will be such a Democratic love
feast. such a gathering together in the
house Of our fathers as was never before
witnessed in the history Of this country.