The times., 1899-09-21
rhe Mnnufacanre OF Issues.

The Manufacture of Issues.
While certain Democratic politicians of
more or less note have busted themselves
in writing a new platform for the party
in 1890. we have sat in amazed silence,
wondering il they have any idea that it is
the voters of the organization, through
their legally elected delegates. who, as
rule, do that sort of thing.
Because, until the national organization,
by the mouth OF its only law making body,
shall define the issues TO be fought next
year. all Democrats are bound. and bound
only. by the Chicago platform. We have
refrained from Offering suggestions as TO
what might be well for the national De-
nlocracy 10 add 10 the financial and trust
questions which stand to-day as The issues
OF record.
II has pleased certain constituted
prophets, priests, and kings. TO declare that
the next campaign is TO be presented in the
form Of an attack upon the American ex-
pansion policy, which Mr.. Mckinley has
been clever enough to borrow from the
gospel OF pure Democracy. as taught and
pTacticeG by Jefferson. jackson, and Polk.
Why they should select such an impTegna-
bic breaztwork as the point of assault, in
case the party can be brought to their way
OF thinking. we are At q loss TO understand,
unless their motive is one Of political ski
eide They cannot and co not expect a
majority Of the American people, or even
q majority OF the men who voted for Bryan
in 1896. 70 go with them on any such for
lorn hope
What we particularly wonder at is that
the provincial politicians who range them
selves with Hoar Aguinaldo. Atkinson,
Schurz. Eliot Norton. and the late Grover
Cleveland. in antagonism to a great ac-
complished fact signed and sealed by Con-
gress with the full approved of the coun-
try. should commit such blunder. when
they have plenty of legitimate. convincing
and popular grounds Of attack upon the
Hanna. trust, and Chinese tariff organiza-
tion nov in power
II seems incomprehensible that men like
Bryan, Altgeld, and Jones Of Arkansas,
should take Up a subject already disposed
Of to make an issue Of it, and, al the
same time. deliberately ignore the things
for which the present Republican Admin
istration il wickedly responsible, end
which are universally resented by the citi-
zenship Of the country without distinction
Of party. One would think that, as ques-
tons secondary TO that OF the currency,
Democratic leaders could discover in Alger-
ism. Sampsonism, Carterism. Eaganisn.
Otisism; the rascaIities of the beef scan
dal. Of the fever camps. Of the converted
yacht steals, OF The Ager Relief Commits
sion. of the Philippine Peace Commission,
and whole list Of eognate infamies. all
that political party could need by way
of leverage to Gust corruption from power
and the opportunity 10 loot the nation.
We must confess that, as far as we have
been able to learn, not one of the anti
expansion leaders" has had word TO say,
specifically, On any Of these topics Yet
they form the necessary basis Of the in
dictment that must be drawn in 1900
against the record Of the Mckinley regime,
What can be the reason for this indi1er-
erce to live questions? What grounds
have the assumed spokesmen for the party
OF the plain people. for avoiding the history
Of Republican ineihciency. venality. injus-
tice. nepotism, peeulation, and downright
stealing in connection with the Spanish
war?
II some people propose TO arrogate the
privilege OF writing the Democratic na-
sional platform nearly year in adrance
II the convention they must excuse Others
Dor making an occasional excursion in tht
zane line. As a matter Of party law and
discipline John Doe, Richard Roe. William
rsoakes, or Thomas Stiles has as good ;
right TO say what shall be the array o
issues IN the next platform, or to decre
the order in which they are TO have prece
dence, as have Ar- Bryan or Jones Of Ar
kansas.