Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-08-14
00 ON. WILLIAM ]. BRYAN, ad

more formal manner ne would accept Tue
nomination which they rendered. At that
time he promises to fully discuss the vari-
Gus questions covered by the Democratic
platform, limiting his remarks before the
committee to a few observations upon
the general character of the contest, and
upon the question which is declared to
he of paramount Importance in this cam
paign. D1r. Bryan spoke substantially
as follows:
When | say that the contest of 1900
is a contest between democracy on the
one hand and plutocracy on the other, L
do not mean TO say that all our oppon-
ents have deliberately chosen to give TO
organized wealth a predominating intu-
ence in the affairs of the government, but
] 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
war upon the honest acquisition of
wealth; il has no desire To discourage in
dustry, economy and thrift. On the con-
trary, IL 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
u.
for a civilization in which every mem
Der of society will share according to his
merits.
Against us are arrayed n comparatively
small, but politically and financially pow
erful, number who really profit by Re
publican policies; but with them are as
sociated a 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 adj
vOcate 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; Re
publicans who used to boast that the Re-
publican party was paying off the ma
tional debt, are now seeking for reasons
to support a perpetual and increasing
debt; Republicans who formerly abb
horred a trust, now beguiie 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; Republi-
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
a large increase in the permanent mill
glCrIed in cur Independence when the ma
ton was less powerful, now look with
favor upon a foreign alliance; Repub-
iicans who three years ago condemned
"fOrcible annexation" as an immoral and
even criminal, are now sure that it is
both immoral and criminal to oppose
forcible annexation. That partisanship
has already blinded many to present
dangers is certain; how large a portion
Of the Republican party can be drawn
over 10 the new policies remains to be
seen.
Abandon Early Ideals.
in attempting to press economic ques
tons 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 &c politics. When
the President, supported by practically
unanimous vote Of the House and Sen
ate, entered upon a 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
t-ation would necessarily gain a political
advantage from the conduct of a war
which, in the very nature of the case,
must soon end in completes victory, they
We'd with the Republicans in the support
which they gave TO the President. When
the war was over and the Republican
leaders began TO suggest the propriety of
q 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 Fatify the treaty and
end the war, release the volunteers, re-
move the excuse for war expenditures,
and theu give to the Filipinos the indie
pendenoe which might be forced from
Spain by a new treaty. | thought it safer
10 trust the American people TO give i'm
dependence to the Filipinos than to trnst
the accomplishment of that purpose TO
diplomacy with an unfriendy nation
The title of Spain being extinguished. we
were Mt liberty TO deal with the EilipinoS
according TO American principles The
Bacon resolution. introduced month be
fore hostlhries broke out at Manila, prom
ised Independence 10 the Filipinos on the
same terms that II was promised to the
Cuhans | supported this resolution and
believe that its adoption prior 10 the
breaking out OF hoStilities would have
prevented bloodshed, and that its adop-
ton az any subsequent time would have
ended hostilities.
Ii the treaty had been rejected. consid-
D.
elapsed before a new treaty could have
been agreed upon and ratified and dur
Ing that time the question would have
been agitating the public mind II the
Bacon resolution had been adopted by
the Senate and carried out by the Presi- |
dent, either at the time of the ratihca- |
tion Of the treaty or at any time after |
wards, il would have taken the question |
of imperialism out of politics and left the |
American people free 10 deal with their |
domestic problems. But the resolution
was defeated hy the vote of the Repub-
hcan Vice President, and from that time
Go this a Republican Congress has re-
ISed to take any action whatever in the
riatter.
CowardIy Evasion.
when hOstilitieS broke out at Manila
Republican speakers and Republican ed
tiers 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 20 the Filipinos.
This is cowardly evasion of response
hility
30 IL is right for the United States TO
hole the Philippine Islands permanently
and initiate European empires in the gov
eminent OF colonies, the Republican party
ought 20 state its position nd defend il. /
but il must expect the subject races to
protest against such a policy aud 20 re-
sjSj 10 the extent OF their ability. The
F1hpinoS DO not need any encouragement
from Americans now living. Our whole
history has been an ENCOURAGEMENT.
These who vouldlhave this nation enter
upou a career OF empire lc1st consider
not only the effect Of imperialism on the
FiipinoS, but they must also calculate
Its effect upon our own nation. We can
not repudiate the principle OF Self-govern-
ment in the Philippines without weaken
Ing that principle here.
Even now we are beginning TO see the
paralyzing influence Of Imperialism.