The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-11
The White House Alarm Bell.

The White House Alarm Bell.
If the amiable Presidents imperturb-
able serenity at last has been sufficiently
disturbed by the omirous signs OF the
times to cause him to sound note of
warning to the faithful, there is hope
that he is awaking to full realization
OF the character and motives of the men
who surround and hedge. him about with
deception. Had Mr.. Mckinley earlier in
his career as President called to his aid
and counsel men of high purpose and
clean hands. like that sturdy and clear
Vermont 1t is conceivable that he would
not now feel impelled, as indicated by
the reports of his growing uneasiness
over November prospects to issue
hurry orders" TO the party workers all
over the country. If Mr.. Mckinley is
defeated-and the signs to that end are
constantly brightening-he will owe his
penetrable inerustation of affability that
envelops his personality as well as his
official character as TO the inherent
weakness of his party's principles.
Perhaps il is now too late for men
Of the Proctor calibre to save the Presi-
dent The vermonter. 1t will be remem-
bered, strove hard last winter to shield
MIR Mckinley from the harmful effects Of
his change of front on the Porto Rican
question Senator Proctor delivered one
Of the most rational and powerful speeches
against the enactment Of the Porto Riean
law. He reminded the President in his
own language of his plain duty" Ec
pointed out forcibly and logically the I'M
constitutional features of that legislation,
as well as its monstrous and inhuman
cruelty. Eloquently did the Vermont
statesman plead with the managers of
the party in private and on the floor of
the Senate against the course toward
Porto Rico decided upon at the behest of
some of the huge trusts that are now ex-
pected to save Mr.. Mckinley through the
corrupting influence Of money. Had the
President listened to Mr.. Proctor then
it is probable that the Senator would not
have been able to give the unpleasant as
surance to Mr. Mckinley that analysis
of the Vermont returns showed that the
Cold Democrats are returning to their
old party affiliations and that tens OF
thousands OF Republicans are apathetic
and Iukewarm.
With excellent reason it can be con-
tended that if the Gold Democrats OF YER
mont are returning TO the fold, certainly
the Gold Democrats in other States also
are returning. In Vermont the incen-
tive for their return is purely sentiment
tai and patriotic, whereas in the close
States. where they hold the balance OF
power. they have this incentive plus the
most powerful of all human motives
selfshness. based upon the hope of parti-
cipating in the rewards OF victory made
possible only by their aid. In the es-
sence of their political contention the
Gold Democrats find the issue upon which
the Hannaites insist that this campaign
shall be fought In departing, therefore.
from the Republican household. the Gold
Democrats refuse 10 accept the Issue which
the Presidents political managers define
as paramount. Upon the subject Of the
currency there has been no backward step
in the Democratic party since the gold
faction, all too precipitously. deserted the
organization. But the Administration at
Washington has beset the nation with
new and Startling issues-questions that
involve in their scope the very life OF
the Republic. This. as pointed out by
Senator Proctor to the President. is what
is driving the Gold Democrats pack into
line.
The elect OF the Presidents alarm will
be to soon cause change in the tone anu
temper Of Administration organs and ora
tors. The loss of the Gold Democratic vote
or even of fifty per cent of it. in the close
States OF the East and Middle West. means
the defeat Of Mr. Mckinley. Apparently
| the only hope now OF checking the stam-
! pede of the Gold Democrats from Mr.
/ Mckinley is TO convince them that the
currency question is the paramount issue
of the campaign. But ii will be impossible
to do this as long as clear headed Demo
cratic gold men like Richard Olney. viii
liam L. Wilson, Edward NJ. Shepard
: iSOul ht toNhi an ana W LiSoH =. iDISatll l'-
! ject that issue and Join all the old time
Democratic leaders in the cry against the
Republican party's alliance with the trusts
for the purpose Of holding as subject col
onies and exploiting for the benefit OF
special interests the insular possessions
brought under our sovereignty and respon-
sibiIity as a result of the war with Spain