The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1899-04-13
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1899.
The True Issue,

ills apparent to all thoughtful minds
that the anti-cXUansion issue will be to
the fore in tue presidential campaign OF
1890 aud thousands of Democrats who
loyalty supported the Chicago platform
in 1896 arc to-day hoping that the fight
will be made on that line and thus put
back the money question for settlement
at some future time. Bryan's speeches
against Imperialism have struck res
DOnaIve chord 10 the hearts of the Ame-
rican people, and there is every reason
TO believe that If he will subordinate the
silver issue and devote himself to ex
posing the evils and the shame Of the
war If conquest IN which the govern
ment is now engaged, the Democracy
WIll sweep the country at the next
election on simple platform de-
nouncIng trusts and imperialism. The
Democratic party has offered to ii an
opportunity which If embraced will
place 1t IN control OF the government:
therefore the wisdom of the party is be-
ginning to realize that by dropping
the silver question, or allowing it 10 rest
until the party is in power, victory can
be achieved. The Baltimore News,
which suppouted Bryan and the Chicago
platform In tue stormy days of 1896,
when every other newspaper in Balti--
more was aligned IN opposition, takes
the same view Of she Political situation
~ we do. speaking of the ability and
popularity of Bryan, the News says:
HE ls the leading opponent of ex-
panSion, and IL u vigorous fighter Of
trusts aud mon0polIes, two issues which
great many people think are gong TO
suppant the money question IN the next
campaign. If itturus out that wav, Mr..
Bryan is In as good coDditlOn as any
other candidate to stand on that plat
form. He Is a sbrewd young man in
many ways, and 1t may turn out that he
has shown more wisdom than older pO-
lltIcians IN thus early turning his back
on Croker and Belmont and the rest of
that crowd. In the preliminary skir-
mish which Ia now gong on he has NOT
20! the worst Of IT."
The above from the n. o. States has
the right ring The States supported |
Mr.. Bryan 10 1895, yet 1t ought with all
the force at Is command the money plank |
OF the Chicago platform Ths position
taken by Mr.. Bryan foretells that anti
expansion, anti -imperali4m, will be a
key more in the next national contest.
but 1t Is not Mr.. Bryan's way to adopt
An Issue for policy or leave ont an issue
FOR policy Imperialism will be combattd
because |; is wrong, the free coinage of
silver on an e1ualiiy with gold will be
supported. because 1t Is right, the silver
issue cannot abe dropped" or allowed
90 rest until the party Is In power.''
The Chicago platform is clear and
without uncertain sound, against trusts
aud mouopolles. and those planks will
b. reafiIrned with double emphasis
In 1900, IL we read the signs of the times
aright.
The Dread Scott decision finds Its par
aIlel ~ the Income lax decision; the
latter affects the rights Of human liberty
rs much 80 us did the former, and we
splne will have aS much influence upon
tne result Ia 1900 as the former had
Hpon that u 1850. L
AS we say above, the States article
has the right ling; 1t indicates that 1t
reads in the sIpgns Of the times that
Bryan 10 the logical candida te of the
Democratic party In the great struggle
against trusts and imperialism and
gold standard.