The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-11
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER II, 1900.
MK. mcKINLEY,s LETTER.

Mr. Mckinley's letter of acceptance is
both offensive and defensive. He makes
a vigorous assault upon the. free silver
doctrine, and he makes a vigorous defense
of the policy which the administration has
pursued towards the FElipinos. Mr.. Nc
kinney says the money question is still
an issue, the three silver parties are
united under the same leader, who, imme-
diately after the election Of 1886, served
notice that 1.-The friends OF binetallis1n
believe that the gold standard is conspira-
cy of the money-changers against the well
fare of the human race. and viii continue
the warfare against it.,
To this extent Mr.. Mckinley has put his
opponent on the defensive, but. as we
pointed out the other day, Mr. Bryan can
settle this question and put Mr. Mckinley
to silence by declaring that if elected to
the Presidency he will maintain the spirit
and letter of the currency act OF March
18th, 1850, establishing The gold STANDARD.
Mr.. Mckinley then proceeds to show that
the country has prospered under the god
standard, and that the volume of money
: 1ids lllSI SdSeA 4uSledO decreasing, as was
prophesied in 1886, the per capita of cir
cuiation being on September LIST, 1900
S3d.S5. against S2l.I0 in 1886. He also shows
that there has been large additions to our
stock of gold, and that the exports for the
year 1860 over those of 1899 show an in
crease Of about $4,000 for every day of
the year.
On the subject OF trusts Mr.. Mckinley
is quite bold in saying that combinations
of capital which control the market In
commodities necessary to the general use
of the people. by suppressing natural and
ordinary competition, are obnoxious TO The
common law and the Public welfare, and
should be made the subject of prohibitory
OF penal legislation That is. almost
strong enough for The most violent of anti
trust advocates. but it viii be hard for
MT. Mckinley TO convince the people that
the Republican parry is opposed 10 trusts,
so long as he insists on the principle of
protection.
Finally. Mr.. Mckinley comes to speak
Of the Philippine question, and this part
of his message is intensely interesting as
giving authentic information of the acts
OF sthe Administration from MAY lst, 1885,
when Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet
in Manila Bay, until now. The Presidents
deter Is. in this respect valuable conlri-
button TO history, and will be read with
profound interest by men of all parties.
The Times has. in common fairness, said
Mr.. af.1E
a course toward the Filipino insurgents as
any other President must have pursued.
and we think that any fair-rninded man
must agree that the President, in his let
ter, makes out good case. II has been
said that II the Bacon resolution had been
passed in connection with the RATIFICATION
OF the treaty there had been no insurrec-
ton In the philippines. but Mr.. Mckinley
calls attention to The fact that the insur-
gents did not walt for the action Of Con-
ETess before assuming the offensive and
opening fire on our army. He says that
while the Bacon resolution was under dis
edsslon and BEFORE the treaty was ratified
IN The Senate. on February 4th, 1899, the
Insurgents attacked The American army.
: -. ~
afier bsing previously advised that the
American forces We're under orders not TO 1
fire upon them except in defense. But
more significant than all is the following
paragraph from his letter:
On August 18th. 1855. General Merritt
vas instructed That there must be no joint
Osssiipaiion OF Manila wiki the insurgents.
Genera ANDERSON. un3er Gate of February
sla,h. 1890. says that he was p.ese.,, at tie
interview between Admiral Dewey and the
snsu:gent leader. and that IN this interview
Admiral Dewey uaade no promise whatever.
lie aids: He (Agn:naldo3 asked me ii
my Gase,Ynieai was going 70 recognize
his Government. answered that / WAS
there s:uli,iy N military capacity. that
4 could rot acknowledge his Government
because haG no authority 10 do so.s'
s II is quite csear from this that what
Asusnaido n'a.issd Mas not SO much inde-
pe,,dencs far The in.,abstant OF the Philip
me Islands as that he should be recognized