The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-28
Circulation Statement
Mr.. Bryan the Issue.

THE real paramount ISSUE" says the
wheeling InteIligencer," sis Bryan" The
Times accepts that issue and will do every
thing in its power in support of Bryan and
all that Bryan" implies. Not that The
Times entirely agrees with every detail Of
policy advocated by Mr.. Bryan. Whatever
differences there may be are of minor and
secondary importance. We know Bryan the
man We know his purity OF life, his IN
selfish devotion to the interests Of the
whole people his disinterested patriotism,
and his absolute sincerity Of purpose. We
know that while his opinions on questions
of public policy, his convictions as TO pub
lie duty. have been formed only after care
full study and serious consideration, yet If
experience should demonstrate that his
previous views were erroneous and that
the welfare of the great body of his coun-
trymen would be promoted by an amend
ment of his policy. Bryan would, as Presi-
dent of the United States, accept such dem
onstration and shape his course accord-
ingly. No pride of previous opinion would
deter him from doing his full duty as it
might appear to him.
Policies, unlike principles. are and
should be affected by changed conditions.
What is expedient today may not be so
next year. What the country needs as its
Chief Magistrate is a man who will meet
these changing conditions with the single
object of his country's good.
OF Mr.. Bryan's absolute integrity of
character his opponents are the best wit
nesses. For four years no American citi-
zen with scarcely the exception OF the
President himself has been subjected 10
such public scrutiny. Adverse criticism CT
his doctrines has been abundant, and
severe. but no-hreath of suspicion exists
with respect to his candor, honesty, and
patriotic purpose. HIS most violent an
tagonists ooncede to him these virtues
The country can and will accept Bryan
as the paramount issue. But the issue
has two sides, and the reverse is Hannai
There is no middle ground. And what
does Hannaism represent? Let facts speak
for themselves. The term of the present
Administration has produced the mes
wonderful growth Of monopolies the VIC J
has ever known-there is scarcely an ar
ticle Of necessity or luxury which is not
absolutely controlled by some gigantic
combination.
Monopoly by the railroads of inter
oceanic transportation is continued and
the construction of the Nicaragua Canal
defeated. To make this monopoly per-
petual treaty with England is devised
whereby the United States is denied the
right to fortify canal built by our Gov
eminent on our own continent, It being
well known that no canal will be con-
structed subject 10 such conditions.
A oaTpetbsg government of Porto Rico
is established. and Governor ard council
sent from Washington to administer law 10
an alien race. Aid and encouragement is
given to Great Britain in its war wagsd to
subjugate and destroy the Republics Of
South Africa.
These are but few results which Han
naism has produced. It means corrupt
in elections It means colonial system
and the spoliation Of our colonies TO enrich
the favored few. It means entangling ALI
ance with England, the most ancient and
bitterest enemy America has ever known
1t means the initiation of English Gus. ons.
the aggrandizement of wealth, and the
degradation Of the masses of the people.
Bryan represents the reverse Of all these
tendencies. He believes that money is rot
the only good thing in this world, to whi.h
all else must be subordlnated. He believes
the rights of persons as well worthy Of re-
spect az tie rights OF property. He believes
in the Republic and not in an empire and
q government by the people and not By
satraps and carpetbaggers. The people
indeed, may well accept Bryan as the issue.