The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-12
REPUBLICANS ON THE DEFENSIVE.


The New York correspondent of the
Philadelphia Press says that Gov. Roose-
welt Is Just now devoting himself so far
is serious work is concerned. to his let
ter of acceptance, which will probably be
| made public in ten days or two weeks,
perhaps two or three days after President
McKinley's formal letter of acceptance is
published. The Governor has talked free
ly about the letter with intimate friends.
in whose judgment he has confidence.
They say that the greater part of the
| Governors letter will be devoted to an
exhaustive treatment of the subject of
expansion, and that he will consider the
subject both from an historical and
| economical points of view. The Governor
regards expansion as inevitable if there is
| to be national growth, and he will, in
his letter OF acceptance, attempt to an
swer the very points raised by Mr. Bryan
in his notification speech"
| 1t seems, then that the Republicans
are already on the defensive. They have
not been able as they expected to be, to
| make the l6 to / idea the paramount issue
of the campaign. 1t looks as if they
were ready TO admit that they will have
to devote the greater part of their time
to defending their party against the
charge of Imperialism.
Gov Roosevelt is a well-informed man,
and a writer of much more than ordinary
ability. 1t is for that reason, doubtless,
that he has been put forward to answer
Mr.. Bryans speech. He has a very diff
fcult task to perform. 1t is doubtful If
he can accomplish it satisfactorily. Mr..
Bryans speech is very able production.
All of the Independent papers admit that.
The New York Evening Post, which does
not support Mr.. Bryan, declares that the
speech was a great literary and orator.
cal achievement" II says also that
"neither Senator Hoar, nor Carl Schurz,
nor ex-Gov. Boutwell,, nor all of them
together, have produced more mastery
found in this speech"
The Republican papers are calling 1t
weak and dull and in every possible way
are endeavoring to lessen the force of it.
but the fact that Mr.. Roosevelt is 40 I'M
dertake the task of answering it is evil
dence that they are not sincere in their
efforts to make it appear that il has made
no impression on the country.
The Republicans may be able, later on
in the campaign, to get the people in
terested in the silver issue, but it is doubt
full if they will. The people are tired of
1t. They regard it as practically settled.
The issue of imperialism is much more
attractive to them. 1t is certain that they
are now giving their attention 90 il, and
the chances are that they will continue
to do SO until the day of election. In
that event the Republicans will be on the
defensive throughout the campaign.
One of the reasons the Republicans are
so apathetic is the feeling that they are
on the defensive. They are in doubt as
TO the wisdom of the Philippine policy of
their party. Senator Hanna, the chair
man of the Republican National Commit
tee, complains of their indifference. He
is beginning to realize that his plans for
putting the Democrats on the defensive
by making the silver issue the paramount
one have thus far failed Unless he can
make silver the chief issue, and thus open
the way for claiming for the Republicans
credit for the prosperity which the coun-
try has been having for the last two or
three years, his party will have very lit
tie chance of retaining control of the gov
eminent.