The sun., 1900-08-23

men gathered togsther. In the whole
history Of American politics there had been
nothing like the campaign OF 1909.
As a result OF this universal and un-
RENTING instruction and discussion the
American people stamped on the Bryanite
combination at the election. They had
analysed the silver nostrum and found IL
fraudulsnt Since then four years OF
une1ampled prosperity have confirmed
and strengthened that judgment by prac-
tIoal demonstration. None OF the evil
prognostioatlons Of the Bryanites have been
fulfilled but rather only gain has come
from their defeat. 40 that even many OF
those who were then deluded by the silver
crowd are now convinced OF their error
Consequently peoples minds are made up
finally on the subject. The question no
longer disturbs them Already convinced
they have ceased to discuss 1t.
That goes far 10 explain the present
political apathy. as II Is called, when the
issue is revived in 1900. The alarm which
prevailed among business men In 1895
when the temper OF the people as TO the
silver device had not yet been discovered
no longer exists Instead. there has come In
n feeling OF absolute confidence that the
popular verdict Of four years ago will be
repeated and emphasized next November
and oontemptuous estimate OF the strength
OF Organism has replaced the old dread OF
It Now, this Is always a dangerous state
OF mind 1t Is always perilous to deepise
your enemy, and Organism proved itself
in 1896 to be an enemy which only could be
conquered by bringing out the opposition
TO the last man. II was beaten but only
after a hard nght kept up unremittingly
for four months all along the line. force
which was more than six millions and a
half strong in 1895 Is not TO be indnerently
regarded. but as an enemy OF fearful
strength, for there Ia no reason to assume
that IL has been weakened seriously since
The fusion seems to be holding together
with very great cohesiveness. The issue
Of imperialism is, OF course, mere fabri-
cation. but apparently it is serving the
purpose for which II was invented. OF
furnishing a pretext for the return 10 NOM
inal Democracy Of some. an indefinite num-
ber, Of Democrats who voted for President
MCKINLEY In 1895
The defenders OF the gold standard. and
Of the conditions upon which national and
private security and prosperity depend
cannot afford TO look contemptuously on
such an enemy. Instead Of the indifference
Of which we hear reports the situation
must be looked at seriously. IL is true
that since the conventions at Philadelphia
and Kansas City we have passed through
weather naturally conducive to apathy
concerning everything except the mere
physical discomfort Of a summer season
remarkable for its heat Now. however,
we are approaching the end OF such
weather and there will no longer be any
excuse for perilous indifference. The one
question which henceforth must hold SUI
preme possession OF every mind Is political.
There is no question Of the details OF busi-
ness 80 important 10 business as the issue
which Is to be settled next November
as everybody will see very clearly after
the election, even II the danger from Bryan
ism il not unpeasantly impressed upon
him before.
We do not believe. then, that really there
Is the apathy among the opponents OF
Bryanism OF which its advocates are So
hopeful But II Is time to let everybody
know that your calmness and self-posses-
sion are due rather TO your very earnest
ness OF conviction and your determination
to protect your own and the national well
fare against the assault Of Bryanism than
10 any political indifference. The time for
confidence will not come until after the
battle is over Let not him that girdeth
on his harness boast himself as he that
putteth it of"