Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-09-14
TIE OUTLOOK is BRIGHT.
With Such n Leader as Bryan, DEM
ocratic Victory Is Almost
Assured.

uSHcS. "A paFtlSHn ullefance upon TINS
occasion would have been pardoned--
nay. more, was even expected by the
country at large. Tradition and prece-
dent exist to justify candidate in such
course. He of Canton-Mark Hanna S
man-who was recently notified of a
nomination, took occasion to plead for
the principles of a party and in the
cause of an administration. In mutt
farous terms he told what 1--WE" had
done, and fairly reveled in the deeds of
us The republican party was de-
fended-even apologized for. And Will
liam Mckinley accepted at the hands
of those who bore the stamp of the re-
publican party the nomination for the
presidency of the United States. Mr..
McKinley's speech of acceptance will
go down in history as the statement of
party chief to his party followers.
But how different is the tone and tenor
of Mr.. Bryan's Indianapolis address.
Mckinley spoke to party-Bryan to
a nation; Mckinley plead the cause of
an stration-Bryan the cause of
people. Mckinley defended the prin-
ciples of a party; Bryan spoke in de-
Tense of the principles that are at the
foundation of free government; McKin-
ley spoke as a candidate. but Mr.. Bryan
spoke as an American citizen.
In the face of existing circumstances
it is fact of peculiar significance that
Mr.. Bryan could reply TO the notifica-
ton committee in a speech bearing as
IF icnr he
constitution of the United States or the
declaration of independence. This does
not Indicate that Mr.. Bryan is not
good democrat, but rather that the
democratic party is contending not so
much for certain theories of admins
tration in free government as for free
government itself. Hence it is that,
fighting for the very existence of the
republics, the position of the patriotic
citizen who stands for free government
and the position of the democratic par
ty becomes identical. Mr.. Bryan was
great enough to recognize this. Mr..
Bryan's speech was remarkable on acz
count of the things he said.-sMr. Nc
Kinley's Canton speech was chiefly re-
maTkab1e on account of the things he
did not say. The Canton speech abounds
in vague limitations and promises. 1t
does not hold out to the Filipinos the
faintest hope either of independence on
the one hand or of the freedom and
rights of American citizenship ON the
other.
The voter has only to read so much
of Mr.. McKinley's speech as relates to
this subject in order to find this state
ment to be correct. He will find some
thing about giving to the Filipinos as
much self-government as they are fit
for-as though the right of people TO-
900 miles away to seH-government was
not God-given right, but right to be
granted by some authority in Wash
ington. But he will find not the faint
est whisper of such thing as indie
pendence for people over whom we
have no authority except such as Spain
somehow is supposed to have had a
right to give us.
In Mr.. Bryan's speech, however, the
voter may find pledge that if he is
elected he will convene congress at the
earliest moment to declare the nations
purpose:
First. To establish a stable form of
government in the Philippine islands,
just as we are now establishing stable
form of government in Cuba.
Second. To give independence to the
Filipinos, just as we have promised to
give independence to the Cubans.
Third. To protect the Filipinos from
outside interference while they work
out their own destiny, just as we have
protected the republics of Central and
South America and are by the Monroe
doctrine pledged to protect Cuba"
This is a sufficiently clear and sue
oinct statement of the democratic po-
sition. OF its correctness, of course,
there can be no doubt.
This, with what Mckinley says, and
with what he significantly omits to say,
sufficiently defines the issue as to the
Philippines.
The broader issue Of imperialism,
which includes that Of the Philippines,
may be stated thus:
Mr.. Bryan stands upon the doctrine
Of the declaration of independence, that
governments derive their just powers
from the consent of the governed.
Mr.. Mckinley stands for the utter
Reputation of that doctrine and for
1.-THE doctrine of the thrones, that man
Is too ignorant to govern himself" and
must be subject to those who rule by
superior might and divine right.
Mr. Bryan upon leaving Indianapolis
went to Chicago, where he has been in
conference with the leaders of the par
ty at headquarters. To say that the
outlook for the democratic party at
the present time is hopeful would be
putting it mildly. Mr.. Bryan's speech
seems to have put new aspect upon
the campaign. kilograms of congratu-
lation from republicans and gold demo-
Gratis have been literally pouring in up
on Mr.. Bryan and the executive COM
mittee. Influential papers that have
been hesitating as to their policy, upon
receiving Mr.. Bryan's speech openly
indorse the candidacy. The converts
of week would fill column. When
such conservative papers as the Spring
field Republican become enthusiastic
for the success of the party; when
such papers as the Boston Post, the
New York World and the Baltimore
Sun, all of which supported Mckinley
in '96, openly indorse Bryan, the out
look must be considered bright.