The evening times., 1900-09-07
DECLARES FOR BRYAN.
Charles Richardson, "a Noted ReENb-
iican. FuVors the NebrasISan.

Charles Richardson, Noted ReE.Ub-
iican, FaVors the NebrasISan.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept, Tn a letter
from Lake Minnewaska, n. Y, where he
is spending his vacation. Charles Richard
son. long noted as an independent Repub
lican, writes to a local weekly publica
ton that he favors the election of William
J. Bryan to the Presidency. MIR Richard
son is well known in financial circles, haY-
ing~been president of the Land, Title and
Trust Company, is vice president of the
National Municipal League, the Philadel-
phia Municipal League, and the Civil Ser
vice Reform Association. He served as
chairman of the Honest Government party
and of the Citizens Union Executive Com
mittee. and is noted as a conservative ad-
yocate of reform. Following is his letter:
4 think you have taken the right course
the only means for making a clear and ef-
fective protest against the fercibIe sub
jGgation Of the Filipin0s. With your views
and your known fidelity to conscience and
principle, you have no other alternative
l have always been an anti-Slavery, high
tariff gold standard man, and the theory
that the prices of commodities depend
upon the amount of money in circulation
is to my mind about as sensible as it
would be to say that the price of cloth
depends, upon the number of yardsticks
used TO measure 1t.
1T has therefore been with great regret
that l have found myself compelled to
differ from some of my best friends and 20
come to the same conclusion that you
have been forced to adopt It is Il com
fort to know however, that those who seel
az Ia nd ia dagla ar
ed their position so plainly. at lndianapo-
lis and elsewhere that it Will be impos-
sible for anyone TO maintain that the total
vote for Bryan can be construed as an en-
dorsement of the '16 to L delusion, etc.
The arguments advanced to show that
the Philippines viii ultimately be profit
able investment TO the United States
seem TO me to be unsound and deficient in
a business-like grasp OF the essential facts
and conditions; but, were ii otherwise, l
should still feel that no gain OF power or
wealth could excuse or atone for gross
violation of the most vital and fundamental
principles of republican government, and a
cruel and wholly unnecessary war against
a peOnle struggling for independence
'-Th.- desi-ability of plunder can never
excuse its wrongful acquisition For siml-
lar reasons l regard as questions OF minor
Importance the humiiiating and inconsist-
euJ records of both parties in reference 10
such matters as silver coinage, the merit
system. etc. and the problem as TO wheth-
er the success Of either party can save us
from one of those periods of panic and hard
times which has always followed seasons
of prosperity. The theory that belief III
It's own mental and moral superiority can
make it right or wise or kind for any na-
tiou 10 subiugate a weak and ino1eHsiEe
people by force OF arms IS As repugnant TO
sound reasoning and the experience of hu-
uanity as it is 10 the teachings and meth
DDS of C1'isi and His apostles II we are
correct, lie Chinese would be justified in
trying 10 conquer the United States.
1T is true thai Christianity has often
sought 10 cure the evils and help the vic
tins OF unjust wars, as the Good Samarl
tan healed the wounds inflicted by the
thieves. hut the one fact is no n.sie OF a
reason for supporting war than the other
was for Joining the robbers. Physical
courage is a common virtue ia most races.
whether savage or civilized, but the in
finitaIy higher moral courage which en-
ables a citizen or an editor 10 be faithful
TO his own sense Of duty at the cost of
friendship. esteem. and pecuniary loss Is
unfortunately as rare as it Is unappreci-
ated by the average man"