The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-08-16

Gus questions covered by the Democratic
platform, limiting his remarks before the
committee to a few observations upon
the general character Of the contest, anu
upon the question which is declared 10
be Of paramount Importance in this cam
paign. Mr.. Bryan spoke substantially
as follows:
When l say that the contest of 19OO
is contest between democracy on the
one hand and plutocracy on the other,
do not mean to say that all our Oppon-
ents have deliberately chosen to give TO
organized wealth predOminating infu-
ence in the affairs Of the government, but
l do assert that on the important issues
Of the day the Republican party is DOM
mated by those influences which con-
stantly tend to elevate pecuniary consid-
erations and ignore human rights.
The Democratic party is not making
wax upon the honest acquisition OF
wealth; it has no desire to discourage in
dustry, economy and thrift. On the con-
trary, it gives to every citizen the great
est possible stimulus to honest toll, when
it promises him protection in the enjoy
ment of the proceeds of his labor. Prop
erty rights are most secure when human
rights are respected. Democracy strives
for u civilization in which every mem
ber of society will share according TO MS
merits.
Against us are arrayed comparatively
small, but politically and financially pow
erful, number who really profit by lie
publican policies; but with them are as
sociated large number who, because OF
their attachment to their. party name, are
giving their support to doctrines antag-
Onistic to the former teachings OF their
own party. Republicans who used to ad-
v0cate bimetallism, now try to convince
themselves that the gold standard is
good; Republicans who were formerly at
tached to the greenback are now seek
Ing an excuse for giving national banks
control Of the nations paper money; Ke-
publicans who used to boast that the Re
publican party was paying of the ma
tiOnal debt, are now seeking for reasons
to support perpetual and increasing
debt; Republicans who formerly alb
hOrred trust, now beguile themselves
with the delusiOn that there are good
trusts and bad trusts, while, in their
minds, the line between the two is be-
coming more and more obscure; Republic
cans who, in times past, congratulated
the country upon the small expense of
our standing army, are now making light
OF the objections which are urged against
large increase in the permanent mill
tary establishment; Republicans who
glOried in our independence when the ma
tiOn was less powerful, now look with
favor upon foreign alliance; Repub-
licans who three years ago condemned
"forcible annexation" as an immoral and
even criminal, are now sure that 1t Is
both immoral and criminal to oppose
fOrcible annexation. That partisanship
has already blinded many to present
dangers is certain; how large n portion
OF the Republican party can be drawn
over to the new policies remains to be
seen.
Abandon Early Ideals.
In attempting to press economic ques-
tions upon the country to the exclusion
Of those which involve the very structure
Of our government, the Republican lead
ers give new evidence OF their abandon
ment of the earlier ideals Of the party
and Of their complete subserviency to
pecuniary considerations.
But they shall not be permitted to
evade the stupendous and far-reaching
issue which they have deliberately
brought into the arena of politics. When
the President. supported by practically
unanimous vote of the House and Sen
ate, entered upon q war with Spain for
the purpose Of aiding the struggling pa
triots OF Cuba, the country, without re-
gard to party, applauded. Although the
Democrats recognized that the admins
tration would necessarily gain political
advantage from the conduct OF war
which, in the very nature Of the case,
must soon end in complete victory, they
Wed with the Republicans in the support
which they gave to the President. When
the war was oyer and the Republican
leaders began to suggest the prOpriety Of
a colonial policy, opposition at once mani
tested itself. When the President final
" laid before the Senate treaty which
recognized the independence of Cuba, but
provided for the cession Of the Philippine
Islands to the United States, the menace
of Imperialism became so apparent that
many preferred to reject the treaty and
risk the ills that might follow rather
than take the chance Of correcting the
errors of the treaty by the independent
action Of this country.
was among the number Of those WHO
believed it better to ratify the treaty and
end the war, release the volunteers, re-
move the excuse for war expenditures,
and then give to the FilipinOs the indie
pendence which might be forced from
Spain by new treaty. thought it safer
to trust the American people to give in
dependence to the Eilipinos than to trust
the accomplishment Of that purpose to
diplomacy with an upfriendly nation.
The title of Spain being extinguished, we
were Mt liberty to deal with the Filipinos
according to American principles. The
Bacon resolution, introduced month ,be-
fore hOstilities broke out at Manila, prom
!sed independence to the FilipinOs on the
same terms that it was promised to the
Cubans. l supported this resolution and
believe that its adoption prior to the
breaking out of hostilities would have
prevented bloOdshed, and that its adop-
tiOn at any subsequent time would have
ended hOstilities.
II the treaty had been rejected, consid-
cradle time would have necessarily
elapsed before 4 new treaty could have
been agreed upon and ratified and dur
ing that time the question would have
been agitating the public mind. If the
Bacon resolution had been adopted by
the Senate and carried out by the Presi-
dent, either at the time Of the ratifica-
tion Of the treaty or ut any time after
wards, 1t would have taken the question
of Imperialism out Of politics and left the
American people free to deal with their
domestic problems. But the resolution
ras defeated by the vote of the Repub-
lkan Vice President. and from that time
to this Republican Congress has re-
fused to take any action whatever in the
matter.
CowardIy Evasion.
When hostilities broke ont at Manila
Republican speakers and Republican ed
itors at once sought to lay the blame upon
those who had delayed the ratification Of
the treaty. and. during the progress Of
the war. the same Republicans have ac-
cused the opponents Of imperialism Of
giving encouragement to the Filipinos.
This Is cOwardly evasion Of response
bility.
Ii it is right for the United States to
hold the Philippine Islands permanently
and initiate European empires IN the gov
ernment Of colonies. the Republican party
ought to state its position aud defend it.
but it must expect the subject races to
protest against such u policy and to re-
sist to the extent Of their ability. The
Filipinos do not need any encouragement
from Americans now living. Our whole
history has been an encouragement.
Those who would have this nation enter
upon career Of empire must consider
not only the effect OF Imperialism on the
Filipinos, but they must also calculate
its effect upon our own nation. We can
not repudiate the principle Of self-gOvern
II