The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-25

aud O. TTa&t1On OF It's ulaDlIQEIS While
in no other State did the vote exceed one
III every four, and the average is one
In every five. The vote of Indiana was
stolen and bought in the big cities as
Well as III Ohio. 1t is not easy to re-
peat the same trick twice. Besides, the
people are on their guard. The Repub-
Leans III OHIO are now in minority OF
about $4,000. The Jones vote and the
Mclean vote will be welded for Bryan
In November. Thousands of farmers
who voted for Bryan in 1896 and against
Mclean in 1890 will vote for BRYAN
again in 1900. The great German vote
massed solidly for Mckinley in 1896 will
at least be divided in 1900, and the pres
ent indications are that the majority of
the Germans will vote against imperial
ISM this year az earnestly as they op-
posed free coinage in 1896. That gain
alone would give the Democrats enough
increase 10 guarantee that their vote was
honestly counted. The labor vote which
Mckinley largely carried, is in opposition
to his foreign policy and in earnest oppo-
sition to trusts, while the drummers who
chartered trains in 1896 to go TO Canton
will this year spend their money and
great influence in defeating the trusts
ridden President. In his own State, Nc
kinley will have to contest every inch
Of ground. and he cannot then carry 1t
unless Hanna buys it or steals il, and
he will find it more difficult to do either
since the people have discovered his
methods and are on their guard against
them. Indiana voted for Bryan in 1896
upon a fair election, in spite of the de-
fection. The most of those who deserted
hA NJ IN -
ranks, and the outlook now is, with the
certain accessions from the opponents OF
Imperialism and trusts, Indiana will To-
turn to It's Old place in the Democratic
column. In Michigan, the same influences
that will carry Ohio and Indiana will
operate with even greater effect. In 1896
such was Pringree's control of thous,
ands of laboring men. that he carried
them TO Mckinley. He is now out of
politics, and the Republicans are certain
to lose that vote. Illinois has been SUI
fering from one of the worst State ad-
ministrationS ever known. Many people
are opposed to Imperialism. These States,
and Minnesota, can all be carried this
year if the Democrats are able to mass
the growing opposition to the administra-
ton.
Il have intimated that every indica-
ton points to the opposition of the Ger
mans to Mckinley. If it materializes
every State in the Middle West, includ-
ing Wisconsin, and those before men
toned, will give it's electoral vote to
Bryan. Mayor Rose, of Milwaukee who
knows as much about the German vote
as any man living. is confident that it is
more in Garnet against Imperialism TODAY
than it was against the Bennett law in
1890 and In 1892. The Germans know
what militarism and Imperialism mean.
Many of them. left their native land to
escape it. They know that if this coun-
try enters upon colonial policy, mill
tarism must necessarily follow, and they
know what that means. "A burnt child
breads the fire" The German vote cai,-
not be cajoled, bought or brlldozed. 1t
is vote that generally goes together
and Is generally largely Republican. In
fact, but for its solidity in 1895, McKln-
ley could not have been made president
The Republican bosses are doing every
thing to assure the Germans that they are.
not in favor of imperialism. and in their
desperation are bringing every influence
to bear upon the German paper and Ger
man leaders. They do not argue that
taking the Philippines is good thing
they say that it is not to be the in
auguration of a colonial policy, and that
there is no danger of miiitari>m or imp
perialism here, but that the only danger
ds from free coinage. If they can CON
vince them Of this, the German vote will
divide; If the Germans see through this
promise to the hope which they break to
the ear, that vote win be largely cast
against Mckinley. There are thour ands
who cannot be deceived since the intro
dlction of the bill 10 impose dut- on
goods from Porto Rico to the United
States and from this country to Porto
RicO. This bill proves the charge OF
colonialism. the advance agent of mill
tarism. The passage of this bill means
that Porto Rico is to bs Americas island
1T Is to be treated as a SteI1-SoI, taxed
and oppressed until the mothers teach
their children tu hate the United States
as all good llishmen hate England. The
antitrust vote, the anti-imperialiSt vote,
the free silver vote, together with hos
tility to the war scandals and the Peck
sniffian hypocrisy of NcKinleyism will
give the Democrats the Middle West this
year if the party has the wisdom to gar
Her the votes that are ready to be put into
the Democratic barn.
The States west of the Mississippi will
be affected by the same influences THAT
will help in the Middle West. Every
State that voted for Bryan in 1896 will
vote for him in 1900, and there is hope
also of carrying California and Oregon.
These States are sand to be strongly in
favor of expansion i'll the hope that it
will add greatly to their trade, but talk
ed with an Oregon gentleman yesterday
who thinks that popular impression is err
roneous, and who says the contrary Is
true as to the voters in general, the ex-
pansion sentiment being largely confined
to those interests that hope for big trade
with the new possessions. The passage
of bill imposing a tariff on goods from
our colonies would destroy the hope of
this trade, and the Pacific slope people
are strong for free trade between all
territory acquired by the United States.
The members of Congress here are
very hopeful of success. / could but con-
trast the change of sentiment six months
ago and now. Then the feeling was
rather general that success was almost