The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-06-15
THE REAL ISSUES OF THE CAM
PAIGN.

THE REAL ISSUES OF THE CAM
PAIGN.
Unless all signs fail, the issues of the
campaign of 1900 are now well shaped
out. For months past the Democrat
ic party and in fact it might be said
the conservative element of the coun-
try regardless Of past political aff1lis-
tion, have been arraying themselves on
definite issues of opposition to the
party which now holds the reins of
government. One of the most potent
influences in bringing these issues to
the front has been the Independent
press of the United States. Many of
the leading journals, which in 1896 did
all in their power to defeat Bryan, are
today his most earnest and outspollen
supporters. The reason for all this is
very apparent. Things have changed
since the last national campaign. AT
that time money was made the priu-
cipal issue and while the Chicago
platform contained many other e1-
cellent planks, it was on this issue
principally, the campaign Was fought.
Many Cf the foremost Republican
organs are today doing their utmost
to bring about like conditions. Hard
ly day passes that We do not read
of that Gold ticket, which is to be
brought out. Editorials Of great
length are published at frequent in
tervals, urging the friends of the vel.
low metal to get together and put up
dummy candidates. TO these jour
nails we would say that they are be-
hind the times. The more sagacious
leaders of the Republican party are
commencing TO realize that while
fouryears ago they put up a campaign
relying entirely On the weakness of
the adversary, at this time they find
that they themselves are in the ditch
and must exert their own strength to
win.
The united action of the Democracy
Of New York and Maryland declaring
the same day for Bryan, but not for
free silver, has impressed the people
that there will be other issues to
which silver is only secondary. The
Philadelphia Times, a rank admins
tration imperialistic paper speaking
of this says:
"This has been an eventful week in
national politics. Much has been done
by both the great parties OF the coun-
try to shape the lines for the battle of
1900.
1t is no longer disputed question
that William Jennings Bryan will be
the unanimous nominee of the Demo
cratic convention for President, and
recent political events indicate that a
very large proportion of the sound
money Democrats who opposed Bryan
four years ago, will give him faithful
IL not enthusiastic support. Bryan's
popularity with the rank and file of
the Democratic party is so general
and 80 positively inspired to give ag-
gressive support to his cause, that all
who look for future fellowship with
Democracy will follow in favoring
BRYAN.
The two most important Democratic
State conventions of the year have
just been held in New York and Mary
land. Both of those States voted
against Bryan by overwhelming
majorities. and neither could be car
rled against Mckinley with the cheap
money issue accepted as vital in the
struggle. The conventions of both
States declared in favor of Bryan's
nomination for President, and both
practically discarded the free silver
or cheap money issue. This import
ant,action of an apparently united
Democracy in both Maryland and
New York, will be likely to impress
the national convention with the ne
cessity of conserving the Chicago
platform of 1896, and making the new
questions of the day the vital issues
of the battle.
1t is now evident to all intelligent
and dispassionate observers of the
political situation that the Democrats
of the country will be much less
divided in the support of Bryan in
the coming contest than they were four
years ago, and the Republicans, to
win in the coming struggle, must win
on their own strength rather than on
the weakness Of the Democracy. The
question of cheap money, involving
the free coinage of silver at the rate
of 1G to /, is past issue in point of
fact whether or not the Democrats
shall commit the folly of reviving it in
their platform at Kansas City.
The county feared cheap money and
reputation four years ago, but there
is no reason whatever to fear it now.
Our financial policy is settled, and no,
popular judgment given in the COM
ing national battle could in any way
change it. The business interests of
the country will, therefore, not be dis
turbed by the money issue, and the
Democrats will only weaken them
selves by exhibiting lack of political
sagacity If they shall revive the now
irrevocably settled money dispute
that absolutely controlled the contest
of 1896.
The lines Of the two great parties