The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-09-21
WHY IT'S HIDDEN
Reason Why Populists are
Ashamed of Their Platform
is VERY UNPATRI0TIC
Calls for the Hauling Down
of the Flag in Philippines.


VIII the Sedgwick county Populist plat
form be published? That is now the ques-
ton in local politics. 1t is insisted by the
radical haul down the flag faction of
the party that the platform shall be
brought to light and published. Half the
Populists in the county have never seen
or read the platform. The radicals are
for publishing the platform with the de-
mand for withdrawal from the Philippines
included They insist on comparing
Aguinaldo with Washington and propose
to defend the Philippine plank as well as
the other planks They want to so on
record as denouncing the WAR as war
to a1-@Asate republic; war as irhuman
as the Spanish war in Cuba; and Presi-
dent Mckinley and his cabinet as imperial
as the rotten monarchy of Spain.
The conservatives take a different view.
They d0T1iS7Is' want the platform published
ana it has not been published since July.
They say the platform contains number
of mistakes-pOlitical mistakes. It de-
mands that the war shall cease, which in
wolves the withdrawal OF cur troops from
the Philippines. They say this is not just
what they meant. Mr.. Bryan has since
indicated that a demand for cessation OF
the war, which implies withdrawal OF
our forces from the Philippines is indefen-
sible. That would leave the impression
that America had been whipped by the
Tagal; would be running away from the
responsibility America assumed when the
islands were ceded to the United States
by solemn treaty by Spain.
prominent Populist said yesterday;
eff that were done, disorder would reign
especially in Manila where the white pop
uIation in this city of some 100000 would
be put in a position horrible to think Of
Mr.. Bryans position was. at the time
of the Sedgwick county convention. mis-
understood. II is now made clear BY pre-
else statement. We are to hold the Pnl!-
ippines, establish order. which involves
continuance of the war Il the Filipiaos
are unreasonable. and then the establish
ment of a government like We promised
Cuba" It is perfectly clear In the view
Of the conservative Populists that the
demand for stopping the Philippine war
was blunder. The people are against
that and the less said about 1t the bet
ter. There are many Populists and Demo-
| Gratis who are not only in favor Of the
vigorous prosecution of the war, but who
! are rabid expansionists, who believe the
flag. when once raised in the Philippines
or anywhere else. shall remain there for
! ever; that no greater boon can come 10
! anv people than the stars and stripes.
| Besides. these conservatives say the
platform has nothing TO say on the silver
| question. 1t has something to say on pub
! lie utilities But what do the country
people care about public utilities? Thls
! question only interests the cities. Ihey
/ argue that to publish the platform now
/ would be to publish them to two criti-
/ cisms which would lose the ticket votes.
| 1t would put them in position requiring
an exclamation as 10 the Philippine aues-
tion. This would put them on the defen-
sive which at this stage Of the cam
paign would be very dangerous On re
| other hand. 10 bring The platform to fsnt
ruw would be to cha ';enge anew co ten
ton over the withdrawal Of the Ameri-
can arms from the Philippines and
practical announcement that the silver
question was to be sidetracked for this
Pbf,inpine question This the conserva-
+ivas declare. would be the height OF eoly
They want the platform TO remain out
!