The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-19
DEMOCRATIC lMPGRIALISTS.

] n Il X.
i Der elections crushing blow to the anti
imperialists and proceeds to rejoice thereat
with exceeding glee Along with this outburst OF
Democratic Imperialism comes the announcement that
cotton is carrying the South into imperialism head
long in light marching order, and that the Bryan
Democracy will drop the issue next year entirely.
For many reasons it is to be hoped that this is true
Mr.. Byans convictions that subject as shallow
his arguments, and the common mind wade
either dry shod. He apparently reached out for the
issue a straw that might count something in float
ing him until 1000. But Mr.. Bryan has become
ncumbrance He is a mortgage which his party is
anxious to lquidate. The anti-imperialst sentiment
OF the country toward him is expressed by Senator
CaffeTy OF Louisiana, who declares he will support
Imperialism in preference TO Mr. Bryan and the Chi
cago platform. Bryans late entry into the ranks
amateur ant-nperialist not agreeable to the
OF deep convictions who had been reasoning with the
country while he was urging upon his followers in
Congress the first steps which have led the country
into embarrassing position. AS we have said, we
repeat, that imperialism had its origin in the ranks
OF the Democratic politicians who followed Mr. Bryan
in 1896, with sound money allies like Watterson
who were for anything that would antagonize Mr.
Cleveland. 1t unnatural graft Republican
ism, and the Republican party is suffering from the
operation.
While the Louisville Courier Journal is rejoicing
that the elections have affirmed and confirmed impe-
raiism, imperalist Republican papers treat
ing the subject with sobriety.
The New York Press. which supports imperialism
says: 1T would be quite foolish to claim these
mai Republican majori,es as great victories for the
expansion policy 1t would be foolish it was in
Democrats TO crow an increase in their vote in
the darkest Missouri OF Free Silver Dick BANDS old
OF the administration"
This indication OF a sober mind among Republican
imperaiist is due the growing OF response
bility The confusion OF voices from the Philippine
Commission has the country thinking, and Repub-
licans feeling great anxiety about what is
when the slaughter ceases in the islands. While war
Is is subordinaed to its excitement, to its
revenges to its sentiment OF glory, and its pomp and
circumstance outshine all else But what is 70 come
after war IS will determine the final sentiment OF
the country. We make qups and Jokes now over the
capture OF Sonora Aguinados wardrobe and her flight
to the mountains carrying week old baby. But
when we overcome the Filpnos as we WILL and catch
Aguinado. will what are we going to do?
We have been driven into the position OF treating him
traitor. VIII We shoot our prisoner or will the
republic have an exile? VIII we Danish him and have
our banished subject on some island as England had
BOuapartc ana the hlng oil Deln and Arabi PaSha:
Having slain thousands who defending their
homes, how will we make the name OF the republic
beloved in those homes?
With military garrison in every town. with land
tenure which detaches the people from the SOIL which
they till tenants, turning burrows wet with the
blood OF their fathers, how we TO pacate race
that never forgets injury and has no benefits to
remember as incident to our first appearance among
them?
The utter confusion Of ideas on the part OF the
commission 10 the form OF government and the
resulting proposition that it shall have no form at
all, consistency OF scheme but shall be empirical
dictated by eXpedency, laying down one rule in
Luzon, another in Panay, another in Negroes another
in Cebu and fantastic departure from them all in the
Suus all indicates and the sad difficulties to
come.
The country is likely to learn to the last letter the
wisdom OF Blaine, who declared against annexation OF
territory that carries with it indignant and hostile
population.
But what an opportunity the situation presents to
the Republican party II the party refresh itself at
the fountain OF its original principles it has chance
to escape predicament and enter into great glory
by setting 10 Asia example in the form OF Phil
ppine republic, protected from without by the United
States and guarded against disorder within by our
example OF justice and liberty and law going hand in
hand.