New-York tribune., 1900-08-21
PERRY BELNONTDS POSITION.
HE EXPLAINS THE STAND HE HAS TAKEN
IN THE PRESENT CAMPAIGN

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Were country and It's political institu-
tions the same as four years ago there would be
force in your recent criticism OF me- but they are
not the same. President Mckinley and the last
Congress have made change for the worse which
may be permanent unless Mr.. Bryan and a Demo-
cratic House shall be elected November
The Chicago platform of 1886 enlarged at
Kansas city that radical and startling
change in National affairs. Mr.. Bryan has
accepted that enlargement and promised loyalty
it. Were the political situation the same as it
four years ago. and I could not foresee (as
could not them the havoc which McKinleyism
would work III four years I would now oppose the
Chicago platform and Bryan I did then.
What is the supreme issue to-day?
1t is not coinage, currency or the payment of the
National debt The Republican financial law
enacted by the last Congress has removed or mod
ifed that issue. Like much of the Republican n
currency legislation it makeshift.
Neither Of the two great parties seems yet ready
to return in such matters to Democratic standards
planted in the statute book before the war of Sc
cession when there there was no legal tender other
ment debt The coinage and currency issues OF
cial law by the Treaty of Paris and bv Prdsdsnt
McKinley's exercise in the Islands thereby ceded
even after peace with Spain had oeen proclaimed
the votes of the united Democracy first put on our
81 al PooA tng 9lShonesI @ ana unconstitutional
whether incurred before or after the enactment:
but it may be supposed that in the following
Presidential election of 1864 the issue raised hV
that legislation considered trivial in The face
of irperilled Constitution and the war Of Sc
cesson.
Not many years ago Mckinley advocated and
voted in the House for free silver coinage at rs
l. and for paying Government bonds in silver
dollars. but such greenbacks and silver dollars
not the issue now, whatever Mr.. BRYAN and
Mr.. Mckinley may think of them to-day ''''U
What is then. the supreme issue of 1900?
1t is the Treaty Of Paris its Interpretation and
legal effect. its relation and the relation or rne
islands il ceded to the Constitution whether or MOI
the United States can rule over those islands in
disregard Of the restraints the people have by their
Constitution imposed on their National agents
wherever on sea or land, In States Territories
in Porto Rico, New Mexico Alaska, the Philippines
or In China any OF those agents be II President
or Congress. may seek TO exercise Government
power. The results of the and the problems
arising in our new possessions must be solved
under the Constitution out OF our great National
prosperity arises the necessity Of new outlets for
capital. Such capital and individual rights uust
have have the safeguards of constitutional protection
There IS no safety for liberty property over
which our Constitution does not extend
part of the supreme Issue OF 1900 is also the
rights and duties Of the United States toward the
other nations OF the world independent and SOW
erelgn, or semi-independent and sovereign and
toward all foreign peoples everywhere, in asia
africa or the Islands OF the
May ask you to publish this reply to your crit
lclsm PERRY BELMONT