Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-03-24


The platform adopted by the Ne
braska State democratic convention
at Lincoln is practically the same
platform upon which William J..
Bryan will stand if renomnated for
the presidency, and that he will be
the nominee is almost foregone
conclusion. The resolutions adopt
ed by the Nebraska democrats were
of course dictated by Bryan-at least
they were drafted through his coun-
sells and influence. The financial
sections OF the platform are likely to
repel many conservative voters. 1t
demands ''thc immediate restoration
of the free and unlimited coinage of
gold and silver at the present legal
ratio of IS to /. without waiting for
the aid or consent OF any other
nation" With other features of the
platform those who oppose the pres
ent policy of imperialism, of brutal
conquest in the orient, are heartily
in sympathy, and it may be ques-
ton whether serious objections to it
are not lesscned by its honest APP
peal for justice for oppressed people.
1t says:
"The Filipinos cannot he citizens
without endangering our civiliza-
ton; they cannot be subjects with.
out endangering our form of govern
ment, and, as we are not willing to
to surrender our civilization or to
convert a republic into an empire.
we favor an immediate declaration
OF the nations purpose to give to the
Filipinos, first, Il stable form OF gov
ernmcnt; second, independence, and
third, protection from outside inter-
ference, as it has for nearly a cen
fury given protection to the repuk.
lies Of Central and South America"
The platform favors expansion
OF trade "by every legitimate and
peaceful MEANS but opposes mill
tarism, which ''imposes upon the
people an unnecessary burden and is
a constant menace. \ small stand
ing army and a well equipped state
militia are sufficient in time of
peace; in war the citizen soldier
should be republics defense. We
believe, with Jefferson, in peace,
commerce and honest friendship
with all nations and entangling ALI
ances with none. and we regard with
apprehension the doctrine. advocated
in some quarters, that this nation
should in its dealings or diplomacy
show partiality toward amy of the
European nations"
A marked increase OF disease
among the soldiers in the Philip
pines is admitted by the war depart
ment in its explanation of the fact
that a large number Of assistant sur
geons are being sent to Manila. This
increase is due to the approach of
another rainy season. In connection
with this fact is the statement Of an
army officer in letter to New
York friend, that the war, in his
opinion, will not he entirely ended
for 10 years. \ decade is a long
time, and the officer who predicts
may be a pessimist with bad liver.
"By the help of God and by the
bravery OF her majesty's soldiers the
troops under my command have
taken possession of Bloemfontein."
Thus Lord Roberts pretaccs the re-
port of his entry into the Orange
Free State capital. To persons Of
devout turn of mind this must sound
almost blasphemous. Ii is all right
enough for Lord Roberts to praise
the valor of his soldiers-doubtless
they deserve it-and he may well
thank her majcsty's government for
sending him force which in men
and munitions vastly outclassed that
of his enemy, but to accuse God of
having any hand IN the carnage
which made possible the event
which he cxultantly reports to the
London war office is to cast Il cloud
upon divine Justice and brncficence.