The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-26
SENATOR MORGAN'S MISTAKE.

| Alabama. and the news comes that al
no time in twenty years has the an
| taronism bel ween leaders Ia the party
| been so sharp. Senator Morgans best
| friends admit that he maze 4 mistake
which one of his experience and ability
ought not to have made.
1t will be recalled that Senator Nor
| gan expressed himself as opposed to the
| denomination of Bryan. virtually adj
| v0cating the nomination of man who
| had no better silver record than to
pledge himself not to veto any financial
legislation WHICH Congress should en-
act: brushing aside the antitrust issue,
by saying that both parties would de-
| clare against trusts but that neither one
| would enforce laws for their suppress
sion: and that the position OF Mr. Bryaa
on imperialism was all wrong.
BY these uttcranccs the Senator chal-
lcngcd Il contest with all those who be-
lievc that in 1900 the Democratic party
Silver. Antitrust and .Auti-lmpcrial.
ism. The challenge was promptly ac-
cepted. Governor Johnston leading the
opposition to the venerable Senator's
programme. Boiled down. the policy
of Senator Morgan would give .he Dem
ocratic rarity no distinctive issue in the
81,
the Democrats are not honest III their
opposition TO the trusts, and that they
are all wrong in their hostility to Me
kinley's foreign policy. What platform
would Senator Morgan have the Demo
cratic party adopt: Excluding the
three great ISSUES which events have
n,asc. he leaves us nothing but Il bare
tight an the proposition. Resolved that
we want 10 get in" 1t is beyond our
comprehension how Il veteran politician
and statesman like Senator Morgan
could have made the mistake of giving
out Il party policy 80 foreign to his dis
tin-uisheti career. and so wanting, it
seems Ia Ms. in political sa-aclty. The
explanation is that for many years Sen
atcr Morgan has given most of his time
and thought 10 the study of our foreign
relations aud has become infatuated
with the ideas of expansion and empire.
He was Che foremost advocate of the
annexation OF Hawaii and he wants the
Philippine Islands to remain under the
government of the United States. He
approves the foreign policy Of Mckiney's
administration and Tanks the Democrats
are unwise to antagoniZe it. That Is at
the bottom of his opposition to Bryan's
denomination. Bryan's leadership OF
the anti-imperialistic fight runs counter
To Mor2dn's convictions. Both are hon
est and able men who stand by their
convictions. They disagree upon the
Philippine question as widely as two
men can differ. Morgan knows that
Bryan would not change and naturally
he prefers Il candidate and Il president
who is not so hostile to colonial policy
for the Republic.
There will be no critciem because
Senator Morgan opposes the renomina
ton of Mr.. Bryan. No man has any right
or claim to the nomination and it is the
duty of Democrats to discuss the merits
of the several party leaders with IL
view to nominating the. best ami most
available candidate Mr. Bryan has no
friend who with his sanction would make
il fight upon any Democrat because he
prefers another candidate. Mr.. Bryan
is not seeking the nomination and
il there is not Il demand from the pco-
pie for his nomination he would not
accept it, He puts the cause above per-
sonal ambition. The criticisms that nave
assaied Senator Morgan from every sec
ton of the State have been directed at
his position upon public questions.
Alabama Democrats have never sym
pathized with Senator Morgan's views
I upon the country's foreign policy, ana
they have been entirely willing to leave
him free upon all ordinary questions
of national concern as long as he was
in accord with the party, upon internal
Iolicics They knew his greatness, his
integrity and trusted TO his Judgment
fully, and even in his championship o.
imperialism they have not criticized his
course, though utterly opposed to it. But.
when he asks them to help him repudiate
Mr.. Bryan because Bryan stands earn
eStly and agyressively against the policy
that is destroying the foundations Of the
| Republic Of the fathcrs-that is asking
more than their devotion to any man
will warrant them in giving. The propo-
s!ion of Senator Morgan is that Ala
hama shall send delegation to the next
| National, Convention to oppose an anti
| .muerialistic plank in the platform and
| the nomination Of Il candidate who
| agrees with Senator Morgan in desiring
| to adopt IL colonial system for the Re
| rublic. Governor Johnston. who is Il
| trusted leader Of the party, replies to