The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-08-17

il and vindicates It. But a declaration
that imperialism is paramount issue
is equivalent to declaration that it is
the sole issue, for no Pi esidential election
ever decided more than one question.
"Inmy judgment the platform actually
adopted by the Democratic convention
should be more satisfactory to sound
money men than any of the substitutes
suggested by older and more conserva
tive managers. Since mob dy pretends
that Mr.. Bryan's opinions on the ques-
tions raised by the Chicago platform Of
1896 have been changed, his refusal to
disguise them in any way is highly
creditable to his honesty, and honesty
is the first essential of patriotic Presi-
dental service.
"Mr. Bryan's conversion to a be-
lief in sound money would, in my opin-
ion, be reason for National rejoicing,
but any abandonment or abasemtnt of
the frankness and sincerity which have
always distinguished him would be little
short Of a National calamity. We need
not accept Mr.. Bryan as All infallible or
even as a sound authority on economics
to acknowledge that his integrity, his
truthiulness and absolute sincerity have
been among the most sautary influences
of this generation on our political life.
II is certain that this country is indebted
to him for the gold standard law, which
though it has the defects Of its party
origin, is the best contribution to our
National stability since the resumption
Of specie payments. II the Democratic
platform OF 1895 had been evasive, as
unquestionably it would have been if
the so. called conservatives had con.
trolled the convention, can anybody
doubt that the Republicans would have
met evasion with evasion and that the
financial issue would be still unsettled,
hanging like a sinister shadow over our
industrial system. Mr.. Bryan's frank,
sincere and unequivocal advocacy of the
free coinage OF silver forced the Repub-
lican party reluctantly TO declare in
favor OF the gold standard. The result
was not that which Mr.. Bryan sought
none the less it was produced by him.
Because he was sincerely wrong, he
forced the Republican politicians to be.
come insincerely right,
"To this sincerity Of Mr.. Bryan the
country is indebted for the opportunity
to pass squarely and decisiyely upon the
issue Of imperialism. II the Republic is
to be overthrown, the assault ust now
be made in the open light OF day. 1t is
no longer possible to strangIe it under
the cover OF misleading and hypocritical
phrases. In this open fight for liberty
surely every anti.imperiaiist should he
ready to bear his part. Hesitation TO
avail ourselves Of the leadership under
which alone opposition TO imperialism
can be made effective, through distrust
Of the leaders, views on an economic
question not nov in issue, would be as
senseless as he, .ation to employ a sur
geon on whose skill depended the sole
prospect Of life, through dislike Of his
religious beliefs. 1t can hardly be nee.
essary to say that we, who four years
ago sacrificed our political prospects and
personal associations rather than lend
even passive support of silence to dec
larations which we believed 10 he sub
versive of order, will pursue the same
course again If these questions should
ever Iecur.
"The best evidence OF our capacity Il
deal with the issues Of 1902 or 1904
whatever they may be, is to deal intel
ligently now with the issues Of 1900. On
that issue, Mr.. Bryan stands for justice
liberty and the constitution, and sine,
all these would be imperilled by his de
feat, it is to be hoped that the libert!
convention will not be swerved iron
supporting him by prejudices springinl
from past antagonisms or by groundles
apprehension of the future.
"W, BoURKE CoCKRAN."