New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-25
THE PEOPLE LOYAL.

Doubts. horrible and paralyzng doubts, in the
mind of Bryan about the expediency Of the
Democratic anti-expansion policy are now conf
dentially reported He has been about the coun
try for some months and has seen something Of
the popular temper According 10 reports. he
has repeatedly expOstulated with Democratic
managers about their tactics in this respect
urging that the purpose Of the people TO uphold
their flag would play the mischief with the
hopes Of all who oppose the prosecution of the
war But the story goes that the managers
would not Yield and that Bryan, although him
self an expansionist and willing to fight in the
PHILIPPINES. has been forced 10 follow the policy
OF his party This account is more than n trfe
apocrvphal II is possible that Mr.. Bryan
would like 10 be reckoned on both sides His
mental status would about III that line Of en-
deavor But az the outset he was in hot earnest
I'm his outcry against what he called imperial
ism. and believed that he had the winning side
Possibly Mr. Bryan has observed. as some
other persons might observe with profit 10 them
selves that no American audience is ever In
favor of hauling down the American flag. Take
any accidental gathering OF voters, drawn by
curiosity 10 see some celebrity al railway sta
ton. attracted by a brass band on street cor
ner brought together by baseball or football or
some festvlty, and let the question be put
Shall United States authority be upheld against
Philippine insurgentsT' and the test will show
the great preponderance OF National feeling.
Even I'm political meetings Of the opposite party,
where men Of all sorts are gathered. there will
be found n thin fringe of approval and n great
body ~ silence when an emissary Of the Tagas
makes his point. hut wellnigh unanimous
shout. with scarcely noes enough 10 be counted,
when men are asked II they uphold the Govern
ment. II is n tlresome fact for Mr. Bryan, and
vet a fact. that he cannot get together a Demo
cratic audience anywhere I'm which he will not
find many men who shout for Wheeler and
Funston and Dewey and become significantly
silent II anybody talks Of securing by political
concessions the submission If rebels in arms.
This state of facts is likely TO have its effect in
the coming election. Practically all Republi-
cans wish to uphold the Administration, and
many Of the Democrats wish the same thing.
Even those who imagine that management IN
the Philippines was mistaken and that different
treatment Of the TaCals would have prevented
war recognize that now there Is nothing left to
do but to maintain the National authority. what
ever provision they would advocate later. In
that state Of feeling men realize that a vote
against the Administration today is sure 20 be
interpreted as vote for the nsurreclon, and
will Of necessity encourage more resistance 10
the Government and more sacrifice Of the blood
or lives of brave men The great body Of voters
who will uphold the Administration as entirely
I'm the right is Of necessity joined at the polls by
all who imagine il has been I'm error and yet
must now be upheld in order to attain any
honorable peace.
1t counts for much that no man is able 10
propose any line " action which the President
has power 10 choose. other than the complete
establishment Of United States authority over
all territory lawfully It's property. His consti-
tuiional duty leaves him no other course, even
if he wanted 10 end war otherwise 1t would
he an impeachahle offence II he should try 10
abandon 10 insurgents territory now belonging
10 the United States. Nobody could excuse him
for making any proposal 10 the insurgents re
earding their future status which Congress
might not ratfy. His duty TO maintain the au-
thoritv Of tho United States over all It's terri
tory is positive and clear, and there Is nothing
else that he can do until Congress has met
Votes against the Administration I'm such
juncture are nothing but votes 10 censure the
President for doing his sworn duty Mr. Bryan
is right II he suspects that such considerations
Will influence many Democrats His fatal mis-
take that ne helped under the promptings
OF his personal ambition 10 push his party into