The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-12-09
THINGS THAT ARE SETTLED.
The Lnte Elections Decided Some
Political Points for
1909.

The recent elections were the cleo
tons of 1900 in miniature. That was
why they were watched with such keen
and almost feyersh interest by states
men of every degree. The issues of next
year met on what was more than a
slairmish line, for it was really test
battle and one fought with determine
tion on both sides.
The principal issue was not that of
the recent war, for all parties were
committed to that war and all parties
have claimed without dispute their
share in the glory of its wonderful
success. The issue was whether or not
the results of the war should he ac-
cepted, whether it should be operative
or imperative, whether the disclosure
and the reward of Americas strength
should be an episode waning as quickly
as 1t waXed or n necessary chapter in
n continued story and vitality connected
with what preceded and what shall
follow.
This issue has been given popularity
the name Of expansion. Whether or not
that name is expressive depends upon
the understanding of it. There is the
expansion of obesity, and there is the
expansion of growth. The expansion
for which the republican party and the
national administration are contending
earnestly and faithfully is an eXpan-
sion that means permission TO America
! to round out its framework and to wear
garments that fit. 1t is n protest
4 Inc 4aI Ioun1anp,an+
Every extension of the territory of
the United States has been resisted by
those of the same class as the anti-eX-
pansionists of to-day. But the resist
ance has been futile and has never been
boosted by the descendants of those
who used their brooms to sweep back
the tide of progress.
The fiber of the American people is
not so flaccid as the timorous souls
would have us believe. Those whose
ancestors crossed the sea and converted
land from savagery to liberty are not
afraid themselves to cross the sea.
The elections say that Americans do
not regard it rs a crime or blunder to
grow to the stature which their birth
right indicates. The question Of eXpan-
sion is settled for 1000. The hands of
that clock do not move backward.
Bryan, who does the thinking and
talking for the democratic party, de-
cided to present as an issue this fall his
old Chicago platform money plank as
well as that of expansion. The people
made an election bonfire of both planks.
The question of honest money, decided
in 1896, was not affected by the cleo
tions. The people have not changed
their minds about it. The same story
will be told in 1900. Honesty in finan.
cial policy has indicated itself, as hon"
esty always does, by substantial pros
perity. The very enlargement of vi
sion which war has given us tends to n
dignity which is not consistent with the
cheap money of cheap peoples. The
gold standard stood, and it will stand
in 1909.
Another thing settled is the unity as
well as liberty of the American nation.
A most offensive characteristic of the
opposition to national expansion is that
it is not content with opposing by such
arguments as may be presented the eff
forts of the president TO perform his
duty in accordance with the action of
congress in beginning the war and rat
flying the treaty which determined the
results of war. Many of those who OPP
posed the national course carry their
opposition to the extent of giving aid
ard comfort to the enemy. This is dis
loyalty; it is treason. Such treason the
people declared shall continue to be
odious.
The party which has always opposed
American enterprise, in public and in
private affairs, opposes the develop
mcnt of industry to-day. Bryan calls
it opposition to trusts; that is, to all
trusts but the silver trust and the Bry-
an political trust. The republican par
ty, while preventing injurious monopo-
ly, is not engaged in raid on the fruits
of industry. The Bryan objection to
the rights of energy to enjoy the prod
uct of its own labors was oyerruled by
the people, If an appeal be taken to
1900 the ruling will be sustained. The
cutting off of tall mems heads that
short men may wear them might do
for Paris commune, but not for an
American democracy. The right to
peaceably assemble goods, when the
product Of one's own toll and not an
infringement upon neighbours oppor-
tunity, is a right indicated by 1899
and which cannot be overturned in 1900
Another thing settled by the cleo
tons is Bryan. 1t is settled that he
shall continue as an itinerant, with
more or less success as n book agent,
and that William Mckinley shall have
another term in the white house. This
decision will be recorded next year.
But it was settled by the fall elections.
The American people have not lost
their backbone.-TroyT Times.
organs Predicnment.
What will William Jennings Bryan
| do poyyo Tho cyccutiyc committee of