The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-08-17
B0URKE COCHRAN
SUPPORTS BRYAN
A STRONG LETTER FROM THE GREAT NEW
YORKER.
Manly Statements From Former 0pponent
That Cannot But Convince the
American Voters

Alta we'll attended meeting Of the
Anti-Imperialist convention at Tomlin-
son Hall, the reading Of letter from
Hon. Bourke Cochran brought forth a
tremendous round Of applause. Mr..
Cochran wrote as follows:
"New York, Aug, IA, 1900. My Dear
Sir: regret very much that, owing to
business engagements, | will be unable
TO attend the liberty convention at In
dianapolis on the 18th. The attitude OF
the ant.imperialsts TO Imperialism can
not be open to debate, and therefore
assume the object Of the convention
is not to express opposition, but TO devise
a method Of making that opposition ef.
fective. The issue Of imperialism having
been squarely raised between the two
great parties, it must be plain that the
only way in which a citizen can exercise
any direct influence upon the result is by
voting for the Republican candidate who
supports or the Democratic candidate
who opposes it. Nothing can be accom-
plished by the nomination Of a third can
didate that cannot be accomplished
equally by abstention from the polls, ex-
cept that the citizen who remains at
home on election day passes unnoticed,
while he who votes third ticket at
tracts attention. All the differ ence be.
tween a silent anda vociferous refusal to
exercise the suffrage is not worth dis
cusson, since abstention from civic duty
Is never commendable. When the
Republic is in danger, the only place for
the patriot is in the ranks of its ex.
ecutive defenders. Absence from the
field OF contest, or shooting in the air,
can never be justified.
at cannot be denied that, while anti
imperialists unanimously approve Mr..
Bryan's position on Imperialism, many
Of them hesitate to vote foe his election
10 the Presidency because they regard
his views on other questions with
distrust and apprehension.
ave cannot hope 10 deal intelligently
with the issues Of this campaign until
we lberate ourselves from the domina.
tion Of the questions, discussions and
passions Of the last campaign. Within
four years political ends have changed
decisively, and as conditions change,
issues change with them. The question
which the people must decide now are
radically different from those submitted
to them in 1896. Then the election Of
Mr.. Bryan would have placed the Dem
ocratic party in complete cont.ol of the
legislative as well as of the executive
branch Of the Government, with full
power to enact all its beliefs into law,
while now his election will not result in
placing the control Of the Government
in the hands Of the Democratic party,
but in dividing its control between the
two parties. Whatever may be the re-
suit Of this election, the Senate will re-
main Republican for two years certainly,
and probably for four. Even il the peo.
pie raise Mr.. Bryan to the Presidency
in November, the Democratic party can
not possibly achieve any power or leg.
islation during the existence OF the next
Congress, and without executive sane
ton no change in the standard Of value,
no reorganization Of the Supreme Court,
no modification whatever OF our financial
industrial or political systems can be ac.
complished.
"There is one issue which the popular
verdict will settle irrevocable, and that
is the issue Of Imperialism. II the Re-
publican party be successful. its control
OF the judicial as we'll as OF the executive
and legislative departments Of the Gov
ernment will be absolute and it's disposi.
tion TO exercise all its power for the en-
iorcement of an imperialistc policy can.
not be doubted. At the end of fouI
years Imperialism will be 80 firmly i'm
bedded in our political life that it can
never be expelled.
"Mr. Bryan's election of itself would
put quietus upon the imperialistic ad
venture. No policy specifically con
demned by the peoplehas been adopted
into our system, and Imperialism would
prove no exception to the rule. Mr.,
Hoars suggestion that the Senate would
refuse 10 follow Democratic President
in policy OF humanity approved by tn,
people does faint justice to his own pa
triotic capacity when-liberated from
the exigencies of a campaign for re-
election-his intellect and conscience
would be restored TO harmonious anC
effective cooperation, Imperialism
rebuked at the polls and shown TO b,
Improbable, would not have q single
supporter in the country. Within a
month OF election, Senator Hoar could
reduce his able conceptions OF freedom
and duty definite proposals OF pacifca
ton which both parties would accept
The country having pronounced for jus,
tice, politicians OF every shape and de
scription will be eager to do justice
and when the desire for justice is sin.
cere, the way to justice is soon discov
cred.
"sinoe the election of Mr., Bryan il
certain TO deliver the country from the
imminent peril Of imperialism, can the
liberty convention hesitate to support
him because of the impalpable danger
arising from his opinions ON subjects
with which, as President, he cauno
possibly deal2 confess it il
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