The Van Buren press., 1900-03-10
BRYAN GROWING IN FAVOR.
Washington Post, Regarded as an Ad'
ministrati0n organ, Says Nc.
Klnley Is Losing Strength.
From the 81. Louis Republic

WASHINGTON March 4. In these dis.
patches reference has been made to the
recent marked change in the present
political atmosphere at the capital.
The most conservative political OBJ
servers admit that President Mckinley 8
chances for re election have diminished
rapidly with the last few weeks.
The Washington Post this morn
ing, in its leading editorial, discusses
the situation candidly. The Post is
an independent Republican paper which
generally has supported the admins
tration. 1t is something of an authority
on political matters, and, therefore,
its view of the outlook is Of more than
usual interest. The Post states
Assuring that the Honorable VIM.
j Bryan will be the Democratic nominee
this year, and there seems little doubt
of II ut the present moment, let US cast
his horoscope, 80 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 before the people. We all recall the
circumstances Of 1895. What will be
the situation and what the prospects In
this year of our Lord, l9002
-Four years ago Mr.. Bryan stood for
what many regarded rs a propaganda OF
anarchy. The silver plank in the
Chicago platform, which was, un'
fortunately for the Democrats, made the
most conspicuous and threatening fea'
ture OF the conflict, enabled the orators
and organs fthe capitalistic combin.
ations Of the country to proclaim
that Bryan 8 success meant dishonest
money, the degradation Of the dollar
and the robbery of the horny-handed
son Of toll. What dreadful pictures
were drawn Of the consequences OF
Democratic success II Is now impossible
to adequately describe. The wreck of
enterprise and industry, the ruin Of the
poor man, the determination Of agri.
culture, and the dawn Of q hell born
carnival-these were only 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 annu.
tiles, all the swarms Of the salaried
were told that they tottered on the brink
Of penury, Never was there so simple
and 80 sharply defined an issue and
never was the opportunity for blatant
and insensate outcry 80 inviting. We
all remember how 1t ended.
but what u difference now 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 standard
as part Of our national policy makes
silver coinage impossible for at least six
years TO come. No manufacturer or
capitalist or great merchant or employer
need be frightened into a heavy contri'
button 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 he re nearer or more real than
Il Is at this moment. There would still
be majority In the Senate capable Of
preventing either calamity and no power
at the disposal Of the executive to over
come the obstacle, Those two grisly
Nightmares no longer throng the atmos.
phere, No one outside Of nurseries and
asylums can now be frightened by these
buckram spooks. u,
'rOn tho other hand, what strength
has the Republican party gained to offset
this loss of weakness by the Democracy
Very little, we fear. The splendid sue
cessful conduct Of the war with Spain
has been sadly clouded by the scandals
Of mismanagemen and favoritism which
attended that consummation The course
Of the administration with reference To
Cuba aud tho Philippines has lost the
party many stout aud potent friends.
The strange policy recently adopted
toward Puerto Rico has outraged
practically tho entire country, The
Hay.p .pauncefote treaty has still further
impaired Mr.. McKinley's prestige and
the rumored purpose of the President to
compel It's ratification will, II II should
be realized, not only discredit the Gov.
ernment, but bring contempt aud odiun
upon the party. In n word the situation
~ II seems 10 US Is far more favorable
TO Mr.. Bryan and far less 10 TO Mr.,
Mckinley than II was fonr years ago,
"What will happen within the mex,
six months Il Ia not for us to prophesy
We deal with the facts as they are a,
this moment. In onr opinion the Re
publican party has lost ground to al
alarming extent within the last three
months. Its best friends and ables,
exponents have not been able TO explain
the betrayal OF our national integrity III
the Hay. paunceiote treaty. or 10 defend
the bad faith and cruelty Involved In on