The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-22
HoAr,s SUPREME IMPUpnNcE.

when the peace treaty between Spain
and the United States was before the sen.
ate for ratification Mr.. william j. Bryan
urged It's adoption. Mr.. Bryan has fully
explained his reasons for the position
he took. Not to have ratified the treaty
would have been to reopen and continue
the war and to have increased the danger
OF complications with other powers.
The main object at the time was to re-
store \ formal peace as soon as possible
and relieve tho Nation of suspense and
confusion. and permit of the disarmament
OF our big volunteer army. Mr.. Bryan
saw clearly that we could afford to take
over the Spanish island possessions and
then dispose OF them in our own way He
proposed to grant independence TO all
these new wards OF ours who<dcsired H.
There was nothing Inconsistent or i'm
practical about these positions assumed
by Mr. Bryan They were the suggestions
OF emlnently practical and clear headed
craftsmanship We could not leave ,hcpe
island people In the hands Of Spain, or
to anarchy. 1t was the easiest plan t.
take them ourselves. restore order aud
give them their liberty.
For this wise and humane attitude,
however, Mr.. Bryan has been vigorously
and persistently assaltd ~ the republi-
cans for Inconsistency They seem to
think that because he advocated the rutl-
/ fcation Of tho peace treaty. for the reas-
1 ons suggested, he should insist upon
keeping the Philippines. for example. in
( perpetual slavery" This attack upon
| the democratic leader Is silly enough. but
/ it has been reserved for old Grandma
/ Honr Of Massachusetts, to add tho cap
stone Of imbecIle impudence to ii .
charges by declaring the other day that
( Mr.. Bryan has played the role of CON
summate hypocrite" with reference 10 this
/ whole matter. The Massachusetts, ssna-
I tor said to Hanna and others
/ ! call ham hypecrite. because. lke my
I friends, senator Lodge and Senator Hanna.
know the motive whch Inspired the au-
ten on his part to ra lfy the treaty. You
tod me- then, but ! could hardly bellows
IL WIS true, and ! now that IL was true
and that he Is acting the part OF a con.
p
advocacy OF his opposition to the pre- deni
on that question,
only think OF this Massachusetts Peck.
snin crying hypocrisy OF anybody
Before congress adjourned he made
what his New England admirers clllme(
Was the ablest speech he had ever made
and It was an attack upon the impernlis
tic policy of the administration. lie
contended that the constitution and ira
ditions Of the country were being ig-
nored or violated TO an extent to eudln,
ger the Republic. He assumed the rol,
OF a lofty and non-partisan patriot. A.
soon. however. as the republican Nationa
convention endorsed McKinleysm Hoal
announced his determination to support
the republican ticket and placed severa
questions OF minor Importance above m
perialism as a vital Issue.
Possibly this Was not hypocrisy" T,
profess to believe one thing and do an
other may not disturb the conscience o
tho Pecksnins They can turn tail" an,
stulufy themselves. possibly, with COM
placenoy. They may be able to arrogat
to themselves all the virtues while max
ing miserable exhibitions OF their mora
eowardoe and partisan bondage but the
should at least not throw st1nls at ottere
, The spectacle of this old poltica
granny OF Massachusetts,, whom Hann
refers 10 as the grand old man." de
nouncing Mr. Bryan for hypocrisy" o
Inconsistency" Is the latest and mos
Z amusing illustration we have OF the dey
tursing preacher and rebullng sin
Grand old fraud" is the proper designa
ton for this Bay State barnacle.
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