Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1900-08-30
THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
eRYAkS UNANSWERABLE ARCU.
MENT AGAINST IMPERIALISM.
The Moot Logical. Eloquent and Convinc.
ing of All the Public Efforts of the
Great Democratic Leader-Republican
Assaults on Liberty Exposed.


Assaults on Liberty Exposed.
The independent press Of the coun-
try comedies with the view expressed
by The World that Mr.. Bryan's speech
of acceptance was THE most logical.
eloquent and convincing Of all his pub
lie efforts 1t is a mastery presenfa-
ton of the paramount issue of the
campaign and splendid evidence OF
real intellectual power. 1t combines
ardor without inteInperance. argument
without abuse and fire without fana-
ticism. No greater political speech
has been delivered in this country
within The last decade
Beginning ~ the beginning Mr.
Bryan truly says that
If the Bacon resolution mad been
adopted hy the Senate and carried out
by the President. either at the time ot
the ratification Of the treaty or at any
time aftcrward. it would have taken
the question Of Imperialism out Of pol
itics and left the American people free
to deal with their domestic prohlems'
The defeat of this resolution by ,he
and the practical abdication of Con
crcss in leaving the entire manage
ln"nf Of this most important question
10 the President. was the heglnnin.
of the policy Of imperialism. 1t sub
sttutcd one vacillatEg mans iuda-
| mcnt or caprice for the will of the
American people
Nv
point Of the discussion in saving that
Those who would have this nation
enter upon a career of. empire must
| consider not only the effect of impe-
rialiSm on the Filipinos. but they must
also calculate its effect upon our own
nation. We cannot repudiatc the prin.
| ciple Of self government in. the Philip
| pines without wcakenin. that princi-
pie here"
| And he indicates with Uncrrng
| finger wherein this departure from
| our basic principle has hurt the Re-
| public. The nation is no longer free
! to express. as heretofore, tits sympa-
thy with all those who are fighting for
civil liberty We speak Of freedom
IL. y v.
Elf we have an imperial policy we
must have n large standing army as
! its natural and necessary cQuipment' >
| That this is intended by the Rcpub-
| lican leaders. says Mr.. Bryan, lis not
mere matter OF conjecture. but Il
matter of fact
| Concerning the status of tho Fill
| pinos. Mr.. Bryan cites with approval
| the declaration Of the national plat
form that they cannot be citizens
without cndan-cring our civilization.
and cannot be subjects without en,lan-
| gerinG our form of COyelnrcnt.' \
republic. he declares. can have no sub
/ jects. Citing the Republican promise
TO secure TO the FilipinoS the largest
measure Of self government consistent
with their welfare and our duties >
Mr.. Bryan cogently asks:
in what respect does tho position If
the Republican party differ from tho
position taken by the English Gov
ernment in 1T1f: bid not the English
Government promise 4 good govern
mcnt to til" coonst>: What king ever
promised bad government to his peo.
pie: Did no; tho English Government
rromis" that the coloEiSls should have
the largest measure OF Sclf-rovcrn-
ment consistent With their welfare
and English duties: Did not tho
Spanish Goyrrnmont promise 10 give
To the Cuban~ the largest meaSurH Of
self -ovrrnmrn. consistent with their