Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-08-17
BRYAN, THE FALSE PROPHET.

Chicago Tribune: A few days after his
defeat in 1895 Nj. Bryan offered "a Wora
Of loyal hearts .saddened by temporary de-
feat. He said ''the friends Of bimetallism
nave not been vanauished; they nave SIM I'M
gold standard is a conspiracy of the
m~oney-changers against the welfare of the
human race. and they will continue the
urged to renew their allegiance to the free
silver cause. to retain their club organiza-
a and re ho read mef for gsoo, o'e "Before t that YEAR
arrives" said he. "the evil effects Of a
gold standard will be even more evident
than they are now, and the people then
ready to demand an American financial
policy, for the American people will join
with US in the immediate restoration of the
free and unlimited coinage of gold and
silver at the present legal ratio of IS to l."
The year 1900 has come and the unsuc-
cessful candidate of 1886 is again asking
the voters for their suffrages. He acts,
however, as If convinced he made a mis-
take when he predicted that by this time
the American people would see in the gold
standard a conspiracy against the human
race If he believed they did, he would
seek for no other issue for this campaign.
1t would be unnecessary, So the promi-
nsna : given tsat BY y h him to ' tb1ps 1ha HotaI is
are ready for free silver. It is true that
he insisted upon putting in the party plat
form that doctrine in its most offensive
form, but that was to hold the votes OF
his populist adherents.
The result is that this years democratic
platform lacks the simplicity and direct
Chicago platform was an appeal to igno-
rance and dishonesty. It held out to all
who were in debt The prospect Of RELIEF
Used to those who had low ages or no
work abundant work and good wages
through a debasement Of the currency,
which intelligent men know can give
neither. The Kansas iCty platform adds
to this Chicago appeal, which proved fruit
less, one addressed to whatever coWardice,
voice Of duty may be latent in the Amerl-
can people. 80.
The plea that the United States ought
not to govern the Philippines does not con-
ceal the cowardly Argument that 1t Is In.
competent to do SO. and the commercial
argument that It will be s ex 2 te to tbs do $50 SO.
not given Independence. hus in 1851 II
was argued by some lovers OF peace at any
price that the putting down of the rebel
lion would be a most expensive UNDER
taking.
No %pecuniary burden which the estab-
lishment of peace and good American gov.
eminent in the Philippines may entail Will
j equal the pecuniary losses which the cleo
ton of Bryan will cause. He has MOI OF
1896. He still believes the gold standard
a conspiracy against the human race"
Were he to have an opportunity to con
the message he would send 1t would recon-
mend not merely the abandonment OF the
Philippines to Aguinaldo. but also the
abandonment of the gold standard ind the
substitution of greenbacks for national
bank notes. with no increase In the gold
reserve.
What the effect would be of such a mes
sage as this on the manufacturing. COM
mercial and financial interests of the United
; States, all business men know. Enterprise
and confidence would give way to timidity
and distrust. Then both employers and
: employees would suffer in profits and In
wages.