The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-13
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
The One Issue.

IL
statement that the issue created by the
trusts and their Republican political
allies. in the unconstitutional oppression
of Porto Rico, is the one upon which the
Presidential campaign of this year is to be
fought and decided to the exclusion of every
other issue. Indeed, ii may be safely said
that there will be no other. Bimetallism
is a Democratic principle, and will live in
the party faith and doctrine until finally
INDICATED; but il is not, and could not, be
4 living issue in the struggle of 1900; be-
cause the gold standard has been fixed
upon the country under such conditions
that no change will be possible during
the next Presidential term. Other late
questions are disposed of as being res
adjudicata, or indefinitely postponed, or
are mere details of the main one to be
settled. Expansion may still be discussed
accidentally in debating societies or in
preachers meetings. For practical pur-
poses il is as thoroughly concluded and
out of the way as the question of our
right TO buy Louisiana from France when
Spain claimed TO have an option on the
States includes Hawaii Guam, the Philip
pines, and Porto Rico, as much as it does
Maine, California, and Florida. The
American people have never released any
territory they had once acquired. They
are unlikely to do so in the future, any
attempt of the present Administration to
cede a part OF Alaska to Great Britain to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
We fall back, then, upon the real issue
Of the campaign which has been SO def
aitely furnished by the enemies of the peo-
pie and of their free Institutions. II is
as simple as it is vital. In denying TO
the inhabitants of Porto Rico their IN
questionable rights under the Constitution
of the United States, the trusts, and the
political organization which represents
their sordid interests and defiance OF law,
impose upon an American community, en-
titled to all the privileges and considera-
tion 10 which citizens of New York or
Ohio are entitled conditions exactly like
those which England imposed upon her
American colonies, and which led to the
War of Independence. The British Crown
and Parliament joined in exacting taxa
ton upon our commerce with the mother
country. just as the Payne Foraker act
places taxes upon the trade of Porto
Rico with other parts of the Union. In
both cases the excuse was that the revenue
so raised should be expended for the bene-
fit of the colonies. In the first rebellion,
the Declaration Of Independence, and sep
aration followed. In the second, il is
presumable that the prosecuted and out
ragged Porto Ricans are too weak TO do
more than beg us to release them from
our cruel yoke, and to let them resume
their allegiance TO Spain, under whose
comparatively liberal rule they enjoyed
happiness and prosperity
In violating its publicly expressed con-
viction that Porto Rico is part and parcel
of the United States. and. as such, under
the aegis of the Constitution. and, in dar-
ing to force the Republican majority in
Congress 10 break their oaths TO support
our fundamental law. the Administration
has challenged the American people 10
mortal combat for the perpetuation o; their
cherished institutions. The latter have
every reason to know what to them would be
The consequences OF defeat. II would mean
a large increase in the membership of the
Supreme Court and the packing of that
bench with attorneys for the trusts. 1t
would mean the government Of our Terri
tories as yassal States of a trust-owned
Executive. and their private exploitation
and plumber by the monopolies syndicated
with the present Administration 1T
would mean the garrote and componte
in Porto Rico. and perhaps the inquisition
in the Philippines.
Do the voters of the country like the
picture? They have the power TO turn IT
10 the wall in November, The sole issue
is. whether the trusts or the Constitution
shall rule u.s.