Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-10-23

posed to monopolies, and to whatever
political corruption is incidental to the
connection between the government
and trusts But they are neither SO ig-
norant nor SO self-sufficient as to imag-
inc that they can successfully stand in
the way of the tendency of the age to-
wards combination and the conserva-
ton and economy of energy in the form
of capital. In other words, they will
not vote to destroy all corporations, or
even to prevent the combination of cor
porations. The anti-trust issue, there
fore, is likely to be of little direct im
portance in the coming struggle, for the
democratic politicians will soon discov-
er that they can add nothing to their
normal strength on this question when
their clamor for destruction encounters
a sane proposition for restraint and re-
form.
The anti-imperialistic issue also Is
likely to disappear, or at least to be-
come purely academic. BY the time the
presidential campaign fairly begins,
events will most likely have eliminat-
ed the subject from discussion. 1t will
be out OF the way, because the Philip
pines, about which it has played, will
be universally recognized as part of the
United States. Whatever questions
arising from the war might be raised to
the dignity of issues will slumber. be-
cause they will be in the nature of past
events, with little or no present appli-
cation.
Why should any one vote for Mr..
Bryan because he is an anti-imperialist
when there will be nothing during the
next presidential term upon which he
could exercise his anti-imperialism? In
short. anti-imperialism in the mouths of
democratic leaders is already a mere
campaign cry.
1t is on the currency question alone
that the democratic party and its APP
pointed leader have convictions that
signify anything. They are for de-
preciated currency. Mr.. Henderson was
right in saying that this will be the is
sue: for the issue of campaign is al
ways that principle or purpose for
which the candidates stand. whatever
t the platforms say. Mr.. Bryan stands
4 for unsound money, Mr.. Mckinley will
4 again stand for sound money, ana, ace
/ cording to the present outlook, 1t Will
be on the issue of 1896 that the cam
/ paign of 1900 will be fought. Conditions
1 may change. unforeseen circumstances
may arise, but at present 1T seems in
evitable that the next campaign should
i be repetition of the last. 1t will re-
qure new party in opposition to the
republican party to change the present
outlook But the republican majority
! in congress may make the issue all the
clearer, and do much to prevent any
change in existing conditions. by its
legislation this winter If 1t fixes gold
as the standard, and takes away from
the president his present power to force
4 the country to a silver basis. It will
Edifferentiate itself SO emphatically from
the democratic party that the avoid
ance Sof the issue will be impossible
We trust. therefore, that Mr.. Hender-
son spoke by the card when he said, u
4 predict that republican congress vii
q 'legisiate at the approaching session sc
4 as TO increase the confidence of the peo-
4 pie, establish firmly the gold standard
of the civilized world. and let the peo-
/ pie know that all their obligations VII
II be discharged on safe and firm basis.