The evening times., 1900-10-08

term distributed, may in like manner be
predicted of everything contained under
it. Therefore these words of the ex-
Presidents do apply to McKfnley's disre-
gard of law, because they apply to all
disregard of it They would never have
been uttered by the prudent men who
wrote them. if they had not been intend
ed to reach the most conspicuous case
that has ever occurred in our history.
But these letters have been supplement
ed by that Of Mr.. OIney, which certainly
removes all doubt as TO the meaning that
must necessarily attach to them; for Mr..
Olrey is entirely specific, as well as en-
tireIy in accord with Cleveland and Har-
rison on this point. He says:
" In my judgment nothing is now SO
important as that the American people
should take this. their first opportunity.
to protest against that excrescence upon
original Republicanism, which may De
called McKinleyisIp. The future may be
helped and safeguarded even II the past
is renediless; while, so far as the 1nJu-
rious consequences OF past courses can be
averted or mItigated. something may De
hoped from those not primarily respon-
sible for them. From their official au-
thors and justifers nothing but persist
ence in them can reasonably be expect
cd
ShoEfd Vote for Bryan.
ct come to the question whether any OF
our people can vote for Bryan. l am free
to confess that / have always advised
against this course, upon the sapposition
that it would be useless as well as In
consistent to do SO. But. from all the
judgment 1 can form on the most mature
reflection, I am now persuaded that there
is good reason why we should all vote
nh ;aI, in
fiuences me as a Gold Democrat also in
fuences me on the general question Mr..
Olney's letter, to which l have already re-
ferrcd, puts this point in its clearest pos
sfble light For. as he very justly says,
In laying his course upon the aH-impor-
tant subject of the Presidency citizen
is bound to bear in mind that he Is dealing
with a practical matter, and must seek
the best practical results through such
legitimate practical methods as are avail
able.
The obligations of citizenship are
avoided. not performed, by standing neu-
trail in an election. The voting power is
trust which calls for use, and is violated
by the neglect to use. Be it admitted that
the Democratic party, its platform, and
its candidate are open to much just crit
icism, yet, all things considered, would
not its triumph De the best outcome of the
present Preside ntial contest?'
| I sincerely believe that it would. MI.
| Bryan would not be my choice for the
| Presidency, if it were possible to avert
! the menace to our cause and our personal
| fortunes to which l have already alluded
| by any other means than his election. But
there are no other means The perpetuity
of our Constitution is at stake. By whom
are all these threatened? We can safely
impute the threat to Mckinley. and to
him alone of all the Presidential candi-
dates. We know what he has done, and
therefore We know what he will do. We
must be guided by the light of experience
in all matters of probability. To judge
without the aid OF that light IS to deal
in fiction and not in philosophy. Therefore
the certainties of Mckinleyism must out
weigh the possibilities of Organism. ! GER
tainly surrender no principle in voting for
Bryan under such circumstances. | simply
assert my reverence for law by using the
/ only weapon with which the Constitution
OF my country has armed me, to snite a
| usurper who has robbed me OF my just
| rights and threatened my very life. And
! / repeat the words of Grover Cleveland:
/ No more important work can employ the
| efforts of Christian workers than the ear
! nest revival OF Reverence for Law" And
to this l add the words of Benjamin Har-
risou: II we abandon the law. ali is gone.
/ Therefore my appeal everywhere is to hold
/ the law in veneration and reverence "