The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-26
MR.. BRYAN AND EUROPEAN
OPINION.

Editor Morss. of the Sentinel, sends his
paper some long-range views of American
politics as they appear to him in Paris
and as he thinks they appear to Euro
peans. Briefly summarized they are to the
effect that intelligent Europeans are deep
ly interested in Mr.. Bryan's election. "All
over Europe" says Mr.. Morss, advanced
thinkers-the friends of human liberty and
the champions of republican institutions
are tremendously concerned over the great
battle which is taking place in the Ameri-
can Republic between the forces of reac-
ton and the advocates of free govern
ment" In this case the Republican party
are 1.-The forces of reaction" and the Bryan
ties are 1.-The advocates of free govern
ment." 1t is further stated that the friends
of republican government in Europe-who,
by the way. seem to have suddenly become
very numerous and much more deeply in
terested in the United States than they
ever were before-"realize more fully than
Americans do what violent departure
this government has taken from the path
marked out by the fathers" and they are
independence and washington's farewell
address shall be torn to tatters and thrown
TO the winds. Therefore it is. according
to Mr.. Morss. that intelligent and
progressive Europeans earnestly desire the
election of Mr. Bryan in order to save
the Republic from militarism. Imperialism
and ultimate destruction.
These alleged views of Europeans might
be appropriately disposed of in the single
word rubbish but the Journal will treat
the matter a little more dignifiedly. First,
we remark that an American in Paris has
pean views regarding American politics
than has an American in the United States.
All the published expressions of views of
any consequence are republished in the
United States and are more widely read
here than they are in Europe. There has
been nothing in any of these publications
to indicate the prevalence of such views
as those above represented. On the con-
trary. there have been many expressions
to the effect that Mr.. Mckinley is one of
the ablest Presidents the country has ever
had, tactful and resourceful to a remark
able degree. AS a matter of fact among
the representatives and shapers of public
opinion in Europe there is very little
friendly feeling for republican institutions,
and IL is safe to say that their pretended
solicitude for the welfare of this govern
ment is myth. They are jealous of the
power and prestige of the United States,
and therefore sorry to see 1t expanding
and extending. but they would never depre-
cate the policy on account of any danger
II might be supposed to involve to our
selves.
But, after all, why should anybody care
what Europeans think regarding American
politics, and why should Bryanites be try
ing to make political capital out of the
alleged fact that he is popular in Europe?
The platform demands a financial system
free from European dictation and 1.-The
free and unlimited coinage OF both silver
and gold at the ratio of 10 TO ! without
waiting for the aid or consent of any other
nation" Why not have a political system
OF our own? Why should any American
support a candidate for President because
he is popular in Europe? Such appeals as
that are, to quote the Democratic platform
again, mot only un-American but anti
American"