The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-02-06
Warning 70 Mckinley.

The Washington Times of last week
sounded note of warning to Presi'
dent Mckinley.
While 1t has been all but univer.
sally b, ,lieved that, in view of the at
iitude Of certain Democratic leaders
nothing short of political miracle
would serve to elevate that party to
power as a result of the national cleo
tiou next autumn, there are abundant
indications that unless change shall
be wrought in the policy of the Ad-
ministration that miracle will happen,
and Mr.. William J. Bryan will take
his seat IN the White House on March
1, 1901, standing on platform which
will mean laws rehabilitating silver
in its legal tender power at the ratio
of sixteen to one. the destruction of
trusts, and a total collapse of the ex-
pansion movement.
The evidence in support Of these
statements is contained n the follow
ing truths which we beg to present for
President McKinley's most distn-
gulsned CONSIDERATION
W The vast msjority of the Amer
lean people, Democrats and Republi'
cans alike, believe in national expan
sion F.; believe in retaining and devel
Opipg under our institutions and
enterprise Hawaii, the Philippines,
Guam. and Porto Rico. Not ten per
cent of the American people believe
in applying the Dingley tariff law to
any one Of the colonial possessions we
have acquired as result Of the Span
sh war.
(2) The American people believe
in putting an end TO all monopolies
and trusts in restraint of trade. Re
cent exposures have seemed to ident-
lfy the management of the Republi'
can party organic zation with the in
terests Of these combinations against
the producers, workingmen, and tax.
payers of the country. The impress
sion thus created must be removed or
trouble will follow.
(3) The American people demand
that the triple alliance which now
exists, with every prospect OF its rapid
enlargement, between the national
banks, the trusts, and the Secretary
of the Treasury shall be dissolved. 1t
will not do for the Administration to
deny or to ignore the fact that such
an alliance exists, nor to attempt
prevention of an investigation in the
premises by Congress. The Treasury
scandals cannot be smothered. The
full truth must and will be uncovered
in some manner.
(4 The American people, including
Democrats in the South not more that
Republicans in the New England,
Middle, and Western States, resent
the thought of any attempt on the
part of the Federal Government to
interfere with the rights of the citi-
zens Of the various States absolutely
to control their local affairs.
1t is to be feared that the Admins.
tration and the nOn.psrtlsan patriots
who have been supporting it for the
honor of the flag and the glory of the
public almost have reached the
p ting Of the ways. The President
must reflect that his expansion policy
has been supported by perhaps mil
lions of citizens who, for the sake OF
a sacred principle and for the future
prosperity Of the country, have de.
termined to hold up his hands, al.
though those hands were soiled by
Esgsnism, and Sampson.
ism. If persecution of our colonies,
protection Of trusts, perpetuation Of
their syndicated relations with the
public Treasury, and Federal invasion
of States and State rights are to be
added to the obnoxious things they
must swallow, there will be revolt +;
and let it be distinctly understood |
that when the Democratic expansion
lists of the United States are finally |
driven away the doom Of the party |
now in nower ia saaled.