Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-10-18
zone of the prophecies made in 1895

Zone of the prophecies made in 1895
was that the laboring men would be
idle if the Mckinley ticket were elect
ed. AS this is a railway town, let us
talk of railways in that connection.
Since 1896 the number of employees on
the railroads has increased 100000.
The wages have increased $4,000, 900.
AS long as the laboring man has a
good job at good wages, he can endure
that aching void in the political aspi-
rations of William Jennings Bryan.
This year the democrats have come
out with new issue. They have put
their former principles, as it were, in
cold storage. They have one or two
new issues-issues probably originat-
ing in the brain of lawyers without
clients, doctors without patients,
statesmen out of job.
I'm 1898 the cloud of war gathered
over our country. President McKin-
ley was urged to declare war against
Spain to take the part of the strug-
Cling Cubans. He forbore until for
tearance ceased to be a virtue. He
delayed until dallying became crime.
He exhausted every possible means to
stop the oppression of the Cubans
without actual warfare, but all were
alike, in vain. Finally came the ex-
plosion of the Maine. The country
was excited. After thoro investiga-
ton, war was declared, and even the
past, present and Parental candidate
of the democratic party donned blue
uniform, and did good service in dress
parade at camp in Jacksonville. The
war was fought and won. The peace
treaty was negotiated, signed and rati-
fed. The least idea of the administra.
ton was the extension of territory.
Then came the familir voice from the
southland. If Bryan had remained
quiet in the camp the treaty of peace
would never have been signed. That
treaty provided for the ownership
the United States Of the Philippines.
Before this treaty was signed, the
Filipinos attacked our troops. What
were we to do? Some say we should
have run. l say when America furls
her flag she will do it voluntarily; we
will not be coerced, will not retreat.
Imperialism is a boyle man, the demo-
cratic party puts before the voters.
We come as friends to protect the
natives and spread civilization. Yet
| they say Mckinley is tyrant, a des-
pot. Anyone who reads his letter of
acceptance cannot come to that con-
clusion. After Mckinley is again
elected, after Bryan retires from cir
culaton on the stump, the question OF
government in the Philippines will be
solved. When they become capable
l believe that the purpose of the re-
publican party is to give them self.
government.
Bryan also makes trusts an issue,
but he does it simply to detract at
tenton from the other questions o. the
campaign. All the legislation against
trusts has been done by republicans.
| The democratic party has done moth
ing in that direction. When Bryan
goes into Holland district he says
that Mckinley sat in the White House
and saw the republics of South Africa
| put down, but does not state that Hol-
land and Germany neglected. to take
steps toward helping their country
| men.
"We are today the greatest, most en-.
lightened nation in the world. The
Whole world is better for the United
States government. We have a mar
velous destiny, and shall go on and on,
surmounting every obstacle, until the
future crowns our efforts with tri.
umph.