The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-03

The Bryan Tour.

Pursuant TO its declarat ion that the
words 81 Bryan are their own best an
tidote, the Post -Intelligencer gives to
its leaders this morning fun and ac-
curate account OF his addresses In this
city yesterday They are. in the main.
but VARIATIONS OF the set form OF state
meht which he employs from lands
end 10 lands end In his perIpstetic ca
reer, He paid to Seattle the compliment
of moderatlng to some extent their vio-
lence. He was less denunciatory, less
his speech cast OF the mountains TO a
oertains aspect Of temperatures. But
In reckiessness OF assertion, Indifference
to fact. dishonesty toward political OPP
ponents and appeal to the worst side
OF humanity. he is always the same.
There are but three topics In the Bry-
an repertoire this season. He has ehos-
en- them for himself and. as he chooses
all things for the party that bows be-
passes with only enough OF emphasis
to affirm the old position Men are
weary OF It. The issue has been settled,
and events have proved with irresist-
ibie logic that IT was settled right. Not
from the most demonstrative audience
can a free silver speech draw evidence
~
stubbornness In his character that
grows with every observation OF the
man, Mr.. Bryan insists In lingering long
enough, upon. the money question 10
prove that he does not permit its aban-
donment In a campaign where II no
longer belongs.
Next he turns TO the trusts. deter
mined upon long ago as the heavy
course OF the Democratic banquet. 1t
Is best OF all adapted to his genius. for
It abounds in gcneralities II is easy
70 attribute all the trusts and all their
evils TO Repubilcanism. Any platform
performer can do that. II Is much bold.
er to announce. IA MIR. Bryan does. that
his party has studied the trust ques-
ton and knows Just what II means"
But his remedy. when we come TO It. Is
vague, irnpracticable. absurd The ar
gument Is for the platform. not for the
legislature: for the candidate. not for
the man clothed With responsibility and
power.
Last comes the issue Of expansion. on
which Mr.. Bryan dilAtes with an ampH-
tude and IN emphasis that show him
20 he desperately IN earnest He has a
form % words that stands him Instead
of ideas The people OF the Philippines,
he SAYS. must be either citizens or sub
tccts and he win not have them either.
lie iuggles with words. reading into
subject" all the accessories % an alb
ject suhlugatian. snd choosing to ig-
more that men who obey the law arc
''suhlsct TO q, and that the term has an
eNcellcn, "a web as an eva suggestion.
lie repeats ever the old recommended
zion. ina, We abandon the Philippines.
which the Amer4can people would RATA
err die than consent 60 lie recurs T.
his Asiatie application ~ the Monroe
doctrine. which implies historical ignor-
anee beyond belief cr an attempt Go i'm
pose upon the public which few would
venture. In these three numbers every
programme beglus and ends. varied only
by changes u expression ana selection
81 anecdote
M one can listen to Mr.. Bryan now
ana fan 20 see how he has changed for
the worse ia the last four years. Wroag
he was then. wrong with greater posi-
tiveness and passion than now, But
there was also mara Of earnestncss and
sincerity. Thea he set his lance in rest
against all the established order OF
things bu; even those who deplorea his
folly were almost compelled 20 admire
his enthusiasm. Today that is forced
aud assumed. He conveys the sugges-
ton of routine. as who should not after
four years 81 constant utteranceF He
has developed the lust Of applause the
admiration of command. II is meat
and drink 20 him 10 stand before ap-
plauding thousands. no matter whether
sAAir shouts carry significance. He loves