The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-07

Strange Arguments.

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Let us suppose that business corr
porAtion needs a new president and gen.
srai manager. ana that there are two
applicants FOR the position. One OF these
applicants proposes 20 change the BUSH
ness policy Of the concern IN two very
important particulars. believed to BE- ex-
tremcly distastefui to large majority
ofsthe board OF directors. His friends.
fearing the consequences OF his impru-
dent utterancss on the subject. for he
has expressed himself with freedom and
iintemperance. approach the directors
personally with an argument something
like this: "Our candidate entsrtains opin-
tons which We know TO be directly op-
posits to your own, ana for that reason
you think Of selecting the other man.
But We can assure you that. n you elect
him president and general manager you
need have no apprehension that he win
put into practice those policies which
you dislike ana fear. For you GENTLE
men will still remain directors and can
watch or thwart him. His term. more
over. will expire before all the directors
o11ces fall vacant. 20 that he cannot do
you any harm without your own con-
sent, Please elect him instead Of the
other man. who II now at the head OF
your concern. whose policies are exactly
those which his rival condemns and YOU
approve. and who has brought your bus
iness up 20 . condition OF unparalleled
activity and prosperity" Would not any
business man no addressed think that
his interviewer wNs Of unsound mlnd9
Ths polieicai campaign presents an en-
tirsly analogous cass. A far as Bry-
antics are concerned. men who share
the decisions and nightmares OF their
leader. the illustration does not apply.
They sulp down the Chicago and Kansas
City plxsforrns. ana ask for more. But
an appeal In made 10 one or two mil
lions az Gold Democratic, whose votes
ara needed badly. Arguments are ad-
dressed TO Republicans who happen 70
be dissatisfied with some minor items OF
national policy. IN the hope Of alternating
them from the administration. And In
every Democratic paper published, and
In ncarly every Democratic speech de-
livered. you may ana the line of persua-
sicn which we have Indicated above fol-
lowed from beginning to end. In fact.
the appeal OF the fusionisss this year 10
independently and TO dissatisfied Repue-
ileans rcads>es follows; ''vo,e for Mr..
bryan. becauie ~ he Is elected he win
not have power TO lnfiict upon the eoun-
try those misrortnnes that are involved
In The policies which he approves"
THIS is the answer everywhere 90 the
charge that the Democratic party IL In
favor Of a deprecated and aishones, dol
Ian Bryanftes no longer take the trou-
bls 90 deny tho main fact. They say
instead that the gold standard has been
established ARMY BY Republican legis
iatien: that no president or cabinet,
however favorable 60 free coinage, gould
change the standard 20 silver, and that.
even IL q house in favor Of Il should be
elected. the Republican senate would
sslii remain barrier between the ma
ton and ruin Now these excuses are
untrue. II has been shown that, with
out ons word % new legislation, a free
silver executive could bring upon the na-
tlon many 81 the worst ms that hcioAz
90 silver m0nemetaiilsm and cause
financial collapse. II has been proved
that. In such an event. both houses
might easily become Democrats before
the close of a four years term. Hut
these proofs are unnecessary. The flrst
question that sane man asks Is. why
take any chanoes9 Why elect free
silver crank unless ws are ready 10 ae-
eeDs free silver with ali that Il mn
ylies7''
The same course IL pursued with ref
srsncs 90 imperialism" There are
these who, though not wholly satisfied
With the situation in the Philippines.
as~ What We are 10 pat ia place % a..
They ssk sAss~souIa become Of law aud