The evening times., 1900-09-11
RAYNER OUT FOR BRYAN
Maryland Attorney General OPP
posed to Imperialism.
He Declares That the Money cues
ton PaIes Iut0 InsiEuiticnnce Cont
pared to the Mighty Conflict for
the Preservation of the Republic.
This Election the Peoples Battle.


position to Imperialism and militarism.
S2eak king of the issues involved in the
Presidential campaign, Mr. Rayner saiG
Every intelligent man will do his own
thinking and voting Beyond any question
of party loyalty my convictions lead me
straight in one direction. l an npalter-
ably opposed to the ruinOuS policy of the
Republican party 1 am opposed TO stand
ing armies, to wars of conquest and OF
subjugation, to benevolent assimilation
with the fire and sword. to making rciiti-
cal and religious converts at the mouth
of the cannon 20 the slaughter Of an in
nocent people to the involuntary Servi-
tude of races struggling to be free and
to scuttling and wrecking the Constitution
for the purpose of accomplishing these
ends
Whenever the flag of the Union be
comes an emblem OF tyranny am in favor
of taking it down. In tones that reverber-
Rted through the hemispheres we entered
our rebellious protest against the same
Infamous policy that we are now practic-
ing upon helpless race, who, by every
law of nature, is entitled TO the liberty
that God has given it. | am lrreVocabIy
pendencies thousands of miles away from
home TO the flooding of this country with
alien tribes who Will eventually pauDerlZe
American labor, and to any alliance what
ever with Great Britain, secret or open,
in her march of plunder around the world
1t seems 10 me that We have lost our
moorings; that our compass IS gone, ana
that the ship OF state is in the hands OF a
crew who are driving her against the
rocks | cannot comprehend how any pa
triot and student Of American history, who
understands the institutions of his country
and has read its charter, can become a fci-
lower OF such an unholy cause. Since the
close of the Spanish war I have followed
the Administration in its tortuous paths,
and it has not taken a single step that IS
not in violation of its solemn promises and
at utter war with the principles upon
which this Government rests
I hold that there is no justification or
pTeteXt for the Philippine war. Let US
lock at the situation Tor moment These
people were our allies: they led us 10 the
gates of Manila and with hospitable hands
welcomed US TO their shores. We promised
them freedom and a Telase from the yoke
of Spanish tyranny We no sooner landed
upon their soil, however, than we violated
this solemn pledge which we had Haunted
in the face of mankind and now when they
are guiltless of any wrong toward our Gov
crime against us in the world We are
burning their homes and spreading desola-
tion over their land. No war Of modern
times presents parallel case 10 this. and
instead of being a thing as Mr. Roosevelt
says for future generations to be proud OF,
il will provoke a thrill of horror and
blush of shame as their eyes rest upon this
IndeIibie stain upon the pages of American
histary.
MIR. Bryan has announced that if he is
elected President he viii convene Con-
gress in extraordinary session and recon-
mend the establishment Of 4 stable form
CT government in the Philippine Islands,
then the withdrawal of the Army, and in
dependence for the FIipinos. This has a
clarion ring about it. and if I we're mem
Der of Congress l would like to have
about twenty minutes on the floor upon
this resolution. Mr.. McKinley-or rather
Mr. Hanna-has announced that if he is
elected he will give to the islands just as
much liberty as is commensurate with
their welfare.
the first sentiment is strung in as high
4 key as any utterance of Jefferson or
Lincoln or Cleveland. The second senti-
ruent is precisely the same ultimatum
that the British tyrant flung in the face OF
the American reEolutionists. and an an
swer 10 which he received upon the bat
tleields OF Trenton and Saratoga.
In my humble judgment the money
question is one that pales into insignifi-
cance compared with this mighty conflict
for the preservation Of the Republic that
is now on hand. l have not changed my
mind upon the financial issue at all, but
the Democratic party will not be terror
lied OF driven to its dungeon by a shadow
that has no substance behind il. I do not
believe in the probability of panic You
viii permit Fe TO say that ii does not fol-
low that because there is a decline in
specuIative securities that have no intrin-
sic yalue, that the prosT Gritty Of the peo-
pie at large Will be affected. l DO not be-
Iieve that the gambling dens of Wan
Street are an indicator of national pros
perity. Good investments recover from
panic much quicker than they do from
a gradual liquidation. and these invest
nents that are worthless ought to sue
cumb.
1T Is all idle talk about a Democratic
Secretary OF the Treasury forcing the Gov
ernment to a silver basis. 1t does not lie
within the power of the Treasury Depart,
ment to bring about such result 1t has
been shown by experience that this Gov
ernment has the inherent power at pres
ent 10 keep the metals upon a parity and
every silver dollar is worth a gold dollar
and will continue TO be worth it until Con-
gress passes free coinage law, and OF that
there is not the slightest or remotest dam
ger.
I notice that some of the financial jour
nails are prophesying that if the Democratic
party succeeds, American securities Will be
thrown upon us from the European mar
kets If they are they viii all be taken
up with eager hands. The money question
gives me no concern whatever, and if il
did l am frank TO say / would yield the
point and would feel as someone else felt
upon G similar occasion. that l prefer my
cou-try to a debenture bond. and the sta
bility of its institutions to the stability
of its exchequer.
Mr. Rayner was asked what were his
views upon the chances of success.
I'm Maryland" he said, the election
VIII be close, with the tide running in ia
vor of the Democratic party. We will
certainly carry three of the Congressional
districts In the Fourth district the Re
publicans have made a strong nomination
and the gentleman whom we viii renomi-
nate is very popular with his constituents
! think by active work the contest can be
won. In the country l believe if the elec-
tion was held tomorrow we would be SUE
cessful, but of course no one can tell what
~-developments will occur,
The Republican party is backed by COM
binations of centralized wealth. and the in
fuences of the Army and the Navy, by a
pension list which will soon exceed the
cost of maintaining the largest standing
army upon the earth, by enormous trusts
with fabulous capitaliZations and by pro-
tected Industries that have been plumber
ing the people for more than a quarter OF
a century ATrayed against this alliance