New-York tribune., 1900-07-13
4 CAMPAIGN OF DECEPTION.

Certain things have to be noticed and kept
well in mind during the whole of the singular
campaign which is beginning. The attitude
and purpose of the Democratic party on the
whole financial issue are meant to deceive. 1t
has indeed, declared once for all what IL intends
in its IS to l plank, and in the emphatic
declaration of Mr.. Bryan that in every relation
or bearing to the monetary problem the party
stands lust where it did in 1896. Now, the very
object of making this declaration thus fatty
and once for all at the start is that there is
afforded a better chance to deceive the public
mind on that subject. If the party now
proceeds to ignore such a declaration entirely,
after il has first made answer that it is
compelled to adhere to its position in 1896,
and then goes on to pick up men in this State
or that who will do all they can for Bryan,
although on the money question they profess to
be Gold Democrats the soundest of Sound
Money men, the cOuntenanCe and favor of such
citizens will cheat great multitudes into the
belief that the silver question is really dead
and that on live and practical questions Sound
Money men have nothing to fear.
1t must be remembered from the start that
this systematic deception will win for free
silver a great many voters who do not belong
to that side. Every day men of standing and
influence. who presumably do not want to
cheat their neighbors are found saying that
1.-The silver issue is dead a sufficient reason
for giving to Bryan Il cOuntenance they would
otherwise refuse Yet these men must be per
fecty aware that the support of the Democratic
Presidential ticket carries forward toward sue
cess Congressional and Senatorial candidates in
various States who are for free silver coinage;
that the election of a majority that side is
possible in either or both houses, and that it is
the more likely because many Sound Money
men feel a desire to treat the issue longer
alive. With such majority Mr.. Bryan would
not let a single day pass that could be saved in
putting through and sanctoning by his sigma
ture a free coinage act.
Looking over the Presidential field in other
directions much more evidence is found Of
determination to win free coinage victory by
deception The entire Outcry about Imperialism,
as Senator HOar shows admirably in his letter TO
Winslow, is nothing more than an effort to draw
off voters who are hostile to Bryan on the silver
issue. but may be persuaded that, as the plat
form asserts, the issue of Imperialism is para
mount to all others. Little scrutiny suffices TO
show that MI Bryan himself has no honest
purpose on this question which would satisfy
those to whose preiudces he appeals His sue
cessfu efforts to have the spanish treaty rati-
fed by the aid of sundry friends fix the divid-
ing line between him and all who sincerely
oppose the addition of populations which could
not be treated as fit for self government
With this sustained effort to defraud voters
about foreign matters there is a third issue
which Mr. Bryan with the characteristic
recklessness Of the demagogue eager to catch
votes by it if ne can and Indifferent to the meal
culable harm which may result from weakening
the sovereignty Of law. Mr.. Bryan has been