The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-25
This Quiet campaIsn.

The Kansas City Star notes the extreme
Guietness Of the Presidential campaign
from the standpoint OF an Independent OBJ
server without botraying the slightest de-
gree OF surprise or alarm. Compared with
the conflict that was raging in this eoun-
try four years ago. the Star finds The
present situation stale and fiat" We
are glad that our contemporary does not
complete the adiectivial trinity by adding
Improbable" for there was quite too
much excitement IN that great battle Of
the standards which resulted in what we
believe will prove 10 have been a final
victory for sound money leading directly
up 10 the permanent establishment Of the
gold standard.
Our Kansas City contemporary thinks IL
is only necessary 10 observe the move
meEts Of Chairman Hanna to become
convinced that the experienced and astute
generalissimO OF the Republican forces is
disturbed by the fear that apathy is wide
ly prevalent His appearance on the
stump and his exceptional activity are at
tributed 10 his recognition OF the COM
manding necessity 10 arouse interest and.
II possible, stir up enthusiasm. The
Democrats, as the Star sees them-and its
diagnosis seems 10 be In accordance with
the faets-are not worked up TO q higher
Pitch than their opponents. so that 'ft is
about a stand-ofi between the two parties"
Most Nof the spelbinders are drawing
large audiences, who listen with SIN
gular composure," but are chary of ap-
plause and indulge in little or no demon
straiion. Only the managers on both sides
are excited. The animated discussions in
the streets and other public places that
were marked feature OF the campaign
OF 1886 are missing. Incorporate dlsputa-
lion and bitter partisanship are happilv
absent, so far as the voting masses are
concerned, although they show up fin some
OF the party organs and occasionally
vitiate stump speech.
In explanation Of this quietude our
Kansas City contemporary suggests that
the silver issue has lost the power Of in
spiration II carried with IT four wears
ago" And why not, in view OF the fact
that the Republican platform truthfully
and proudly proclaims that 'the stability
OF our currency on a gold basis has been
securedT' Why fight for a victory al
ready won? How. after putting that dec
laration into the platform and after many
OF the most influential Republican states
men had repeatedly made the uucbaI-
ienged statement that free coinage was a
dead issue; how, under such circun-
stances, could the Republican Managers
expect to put up another fight against
10 TO /. even II Mr.. Bryan aid force that
ghost into the Democratic platform? The
common sense Of the country realizes
that, although Mr.. Bryan stands where
he stood four years ago, he stands on the
ruins of demolished theories and is cor-
fronted by the ineXorable logic of accon-
plished facts by which his cause has bee,
irretrievably oyerthrown.
As TO the issue OF Imperialism" the
star thinks it a difficult task IN exrita
fear on that score among people who are
capable OF doing their own thinking II
says the doctrine that the United statas
shall not become a conspicuous inauan,a
among the powers OF the world does not
appeal to the national pride or patriot
Ism To some extent that remark NAV
De pertinent. but expansion and its results
are exciting powerful influence in this
quiet. thoughtful canvass. The Ranuh-
heans will be benefited by this issua IN
the Pacific States, but IT threatens to
cause them the loss of Indiana and is
more or less potential against them In
other States. still that party has sub
stantial advantages, and in spite of Mr..
Hanna's loud warnings against apathy If
Is probable that he confidently expects
victory.