The weekly intelligencer., 1900-03-10
Political Straws.

Porto Rico steal will give Indiana to
the democrats.
The Washington Post, a so-called
independent republican sheet, so indie
pendent IS to be called McKinley's
organ, in an editorial, Sunday, says
Assuming that the Honorable
William J. Bryan will be the demo-
cratic nominee this year, and there
seems little doubt Of 1t at the present
moment, let US cast his horoscope, so
far as that may be possible IN the
lights before US. The campaign is
close at hand. Within four months
both tickets and platforms will be be-
fore the people. We all recall the cir
cumstances Of 1898. What will be the
situation and what the prospects in
this year Of our Lord, 1902
THE SILVER QUESTION.
"Four years ago Mr.. Bryan stood
for what many regarded as propa-
ganda Of anarchy. The silver plank
in the Chicago platform. which was
unfortunately for the democrats, made
the most conspicuous and threatening
feature Of the conflict, enabled the
orators and organs Of the capltalistic
combinations Of the country to pro-
claim that Bryan's success meant dis
honest money 'the degradation of the
dollar and the robbery Of the horny
handed son Of TOLL What dreadful
pictures we're drawn Of the consequent
ces Of democratic success 1t Is now i'm
possible 10 adequately describe. The
wreck OF enterprise and industry, the
RUIN Of the poor man, the extermina-
tion Of agriculture, and the dawn of
hell.born carnival-these were only a
few Of the grewsome prospects dangled
before the eyes Of the ignorant and
timid voter. Newspapers ranted about
the 'fifty-cent dollar, stump speakers
brayed and howled over the infamy Of
paying the laborer only half his wages.
Pensioners, persons depending upon
limited annulties, all the swarms Of the
salaried were told that they tottered on
the brink Of penury. Never was there
so simple and so sharply defined an is
sue and never was the opportunity for
blatant and insensate outcry so inviting.
We all remember how it ended.
"But what q difference nowl The
republicans themselves have deliberate
ly removed the bugaboo Of free silver
from their property room. The enact
ment Of the law fixing the gold stand
ard as part Of our national policy
makes silver coinage impossible for at
least six years to come. No manufact-
urer or capitalist or great merchant or
employer need be frightened into a
heavy contribution to the republican
campaign fund. Were Bryan to be
chosen President next November, and
were democratic house to be elected
simultaneously, the peril Of free silver,
like that Of free trade, would be no
nearer or more real than it Is at this
moment. There would still be 8
majority in the senate capable Of pre-.
venting either calamity and no power
at the disposal Of the executive to over
come the obstacle. Those two grisly
nightmares no longer throng the at.
mosphere. No one outside Of nurseries
and asylums can now be frightened b,
these buckrsm spooks.
MCKINLEY LOSING STRENGTH.
"On the other hand, what strength
has The republican party gained to off
set this loss Of weakness by the democ
racyP Very little, we fear. Th,
splendid and successful conduct of tn,
war with Spain has been sadly cloudec
by the scandals Of 'mismansgement ant
favortism which attended that consum
nation. The course Of the administra
ton, with reference to Cuba and tn,
Philippines has lost the party man,
stout and potent friends. The strang
policy recently adopted toward Puert,
Rico has outraged practically the en-
tire country. The Hay.Pauuceiot
treaty has still further impaired Mr.
McKlnley's prestige and the rumore,
purpose Of the President to compel it
ratification will, il it should be real
, ised,n only diScredit the government
! but bring contempt and odium upo
T the party. In . word, the situation q
it seems to US is far more favorable I
Q Mr.. Bryan and far less 90 to Mr.. Mt
Kinley than it was four years ago,
"Wbat will happen within the ne,
Q SIX months it Ia not for us to prophesl
s We deal with the facts as they are
!, this moment. In our opinion the r.
:, publican party has lost ground to 4
d alarming extent within the last thrt
q months. Its best friends and able
d exponents have not been able to e,
= plain the betrayal Of our national Ii
tegrity In the Hay -Paunceiote treaty ;,
y to defend the bad faith and cruelty i
Volyed in our treatment Of Pue.
g Rico. We Say nothing OF the stup
y Encouragement IN Cupa and d
Philippine Islands, the ugly and a
D. palling suspicious current with refe
70 ence to both them and Puerto Rico.
IN "Having no certainty, we speak
word. But we assert without fear
to contradiction that the administration
IN daily losing strength on all tn,
II. scores and we know, for a certain
that thousands Of men who four YET
ago regarded Mr.. Bryan with teri
a. and aversion now consider him fav
y ably as the lesser Of two evils"
IN. It seems 10 us that the United Stat
'p' the champion Of all republics, sho
IDS not stand still and sec two su
Of republics destroyed without a word
'ill protest. But that secret alliance '
ee. account for It.