Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-07-09

tors mind by replying. Ii he does
he may say to him that while he has
abandoned none of his convictions as
to the money question, yet he sees,
just as do many thousands CT others
who withdrew their support from the
Chicago ticket in 1896, that there are
greater dangers threatening the ma
ton at this hour than the operation of
any possible theory regarding finance.
He sees that while the democratic par
ty in its enunciation of principles at
Kansas City remained true to all the
tenets of four years ago, yet on the
higher and greater issue-that affect
ing the loftiest and most cherished of
American principles, the perpetuation
and maintenance of our government
as handed down by the fathers of the
public-he finds pointed out by the
old party that he loves the right path.
Four years ago the financial issue
was paramount; since then conditions
have developed q new state of affairs
and the dominant questio is one that
there can be no honest difference of
opinion upon. for it is vital. 1t is
one that appeals to patriotism in its
best and highest sense. The burning
issue of the hour is imperialism. The
campaign cry is the Battle Hymn of
the Repu blic. Mr.. Gable is true to
his convictions just as Bryan is. and
like the great democratic leader, is
above all patriot. And for the re-
lief of the -Herald's digestion,
it is suggested that regardless of how
far its special delivery mail may mis-.
carry, it will not be very difficult to
find the Rock Islander on any of the
impending questions.
In the meantime Brother Kohlsaat
may divert his disturbed mind to pre-
pairing an answer-should Mr.. Cable
take up the matter of consistency
with him-to such inquiries as might
possibly be addressed to him on his
editorials of last winter when the
shameful Porto Rican tariff discrimi-
nation was under consideration. The
valiant fight the Times-Herald made at
that time against what it freely term
ed the threatened national dishonor |
on the part of the ad ninistration and |
congress and which, sad to say. came |
to be realized, will be readily re-
called.
Mr.. Gable may if he finds time to
reply, refresh Mr.. kohlsaat's mind on |
some of these not unfamiliar edi- \
torial utterances from the columns of |
the Times-Herald during the time the
Porto Rican question was under dis
cussion:
From every section of the union repub-
leans have called upon their repubIica n
to undo the great wrong
contained In the tariff provision OF the
know that that demand Is almost
unanimous throughout the republican
party In this section. We, know, too that
Z IL Is complied wIth-if republicans In
act upon Senator Davis
amendment prOmptIy-thatI In two weeks
lime the mistake Will be forgotten in the
hankfulness that 1t was remedIsd. But
that wrong Is persisted in, IL the repubIi-
AN party in congress. through false pride
n obstinate ssrviIIty to the mysterious
'ower behind the house bill, enscts Its
'ortO Rico tarii bill into law, 1t will be-
ome the everlasting. Overshadowing issue
n the presidential ca mPaign. w. do not
NOW what they think In Washington :
Eould be the result of such q campaign.
'ut here In the west we know that such a | 1
Idal wave of popular indignation would
weep across the praIrIes that the demo-
rats would capture the house of represen-
atives, even If they did not defeat PresI-
ent Mckinley"
And then Mr.. Gable may direct Ed 5
.or Kohlsaat's attention to the fact 9
hat despite all this protest of threat $
ned national dishonor the admins f
ration. with the cooperation of con- q
ress. went ahead under the "mys-
,rious power" and committed the :,
eed and thus established the lover 7
ladowing issue in the presi- C
entail campaign" And yet the
Ime paper that protested against tn e d
mirage and predicted the conse- b
lence, and now sustains the platform a
lat upholds and commends that out ;,
.ge. and has the audscity to talk
atty or obligation of honor to anyone Ii
Sc.
And then Mr.. Cable may 60 Just a q,
tile further and ask Eiitor kohlsast II
hich is the greater act of inconsis- il
ncy-the upholding of that on h
hich men differ merely in theory, or n
e upholding of an actual act of o
ltional dishonor established by the >,
and congress as such, =,
'cording to the Times-Herald's own 8,
cas-. ri
Iii