The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-02

ually obtained -preponderant power,
manipulating political machinery, di-
recting legislation, and threatening a
subtle but fundamental and dangerous
change in the very structure of our in
situations. The pending contest is only
another phase of the world-old familiar
struggle between the many and the few
which has made h history of free
governments in every age.
The institutions Of the United States
were the first to be founded upon the
proposition of the political equality Of
men and upon the substitution Of con
sent for force as the basis and sanction
Of authority. The epochal contests Of our
political history have waged for
the p-reservationor restorationo of these
great characteristic principles in the
practical conduct Of government. Such
was the memorable campaign of 1900
wherein jefferson represented the orig
nal democratic idea against the semi
monarchic tendencies of Hamilton and
his school,"
By the way,d do you know hat the first
name of the party of the people, as OPP
posed to concentrated Federalism
Observation-Disclosures Republican. 1t is
also an interesting historic fact hat
the present republican party when or
ganized at Philadelphia in June, 1856,
stood before the country as formed to be
a return to ideas and practices of the
illustrious founders of this country.
In their address they appealed ITO the
people of the United States = who
are = : in favor of restoring the ac-
ton of the federal government to the
principles of Washington and Jeffer-
son." You see Hamilton is avoided and
the name of the great political genius
of the people, of democracy, is used.
There is a tremendous departure since
1856, in the republican party then
formed. 1t stands today for all that is
corrupt, vicious, mendacious, oppres--
sive, usurping in government, and
wou set up the reign Of plutocracy
with high leanings to Imperialism in
the stead. AS HI supposed diStin-
guished lawyer of New England who
drew a resolution thai was adopted at
Indianapolis by the Liberty Congress-"
says:
1.-THE struggle of men for freedom has
ever been a struggle for constitutional
liberty. There is no liberty if the citizen
has no rights which the legislature may
not invade; if he be taxed by a Iegisla-
ture in which he is not represented; or
if he be not protected by a fundamental
law against the arbitrary action of the
executive power. The policy of the
president offers the inhabitant of Por-
to Rico, Hawaii, or the Philippines no
prospect of American citizenship, no
constitutional protection, no represent
| tation in the congress which taxes him.
This is a government of men by arbi-
trary power without their consent. This
is Imperialism"
That fits the republican party, it's
president and it's friends, supporters
Inc money-backers. Whatever the in
tention of the Philadelphia convention
of 1856, in organizing a republican
party-taking Jefferson's party name
it has fallen far and low and heavy
fallen like Lucifer, never to hope
again" The great pride and idol of
tina party foresaw his decline, this
tremendous decay and departure from
first principles. Lincoln showed much
prescience when he said in 1864: 3
LAS a result of the wal corporations
have been ethroned and an era of cor
ruption in high places will follow, n
the money power of the country will
endeavor to prOlong it's reign by work
ing upon the prejudices of the people
until all wealth is aggregated in a few
hands, and the republic is destroyed"
The republican party was the fast,
earnest friend of silver. 1t was a BIZ
metallic party, until Mckinley changed
it. Its national platform in 1888, and
1892, stood for it. In 1896, it began to
dodge, to equivocate, to deceive. 1t
went for both metals, pledging the
party to silver, but declared for gold
until an international agreement for
free coinage could be secured Mr..
Towne referring to the particular plank
a properly:
This plank vas manifestly designed
to hold the votes of sincere bimetallists,
while also assuring the gold men that
/ the party was being pushed resolutely
toward the single standard. To be
sure, the transparency of the trick
should have been evident TO anybody,
as indeed it was to a large number of
republicans who Immediately denounc-
ed it and, because of it, left the organ
iZation. But. as the Shrewd men who
wer responsible for it knew, it is usual
4 ly necessary to furnish the voter only
j a very slight excuse for making peace
with an uneasy political conscience. A
definite declaration for the gold stand
ard in that platform would have given
the presidency to Mr.. Bryan by an
;, overwhelming popular vote and conse-
Quently by a large majority in the cleo
toral college.
The uncandid language of the plat
form was parallel by the insincereity
of the campaign"
Mr.. Towne is of the opinion that a
great many sincere bimetallists among
the republicans will support Mr.. Bryan.
He writes with vigor and lucidity OF
the dangers threatening our industrial
system, of the conduct of the admins
tration in dealing with trusts. of the
insincerity of the republicans in the
-