New-York tribune., 1900-08-08
GENERAL PALMER ON IMPERIALISM.

A few so-called Gold Democrats who, under
cover of imperialism" are trying to get back
into the Bryanite camp are fated to have hard
time of it, All their trusted leaders refuse to
confirm their statement Of the issues, and laugh
at the plea that the financial question is settled,
and that the safety of the Republic is threat
ened by the Republican policy in the Philippines.
From the first General Buckner, their can
didate for Vice-PresdeRt In 1896, declared that
a third ticket was foAkn nd that Gold Demo-
Gratis without one wotf& } as true to their con-
vctions Of National ana private honesty as
they were four years ago. General Palmer,
the head of the Gold Democratic party, de-
clined to commit himself to Mckinley so long
as there seemed a possibility of the organiza
ton with which he was identified putting up
ticket. His subsequent utterances would
seem TO indicate that he took the same view
as General Buckner, but probably thought that
If his fellow Gold Democrats could see any
thing to be gained for the future in holding to-
gether the organization by a separate ticket
he as their former standard bearer ought not
to interfere with their plans. That scruple be
ing overcome by the decision at Indianapolis
General Palmer is for Mckinley, and his recent
declaration to that effect must cause some seri-
Gus thinking-so far as they can think because
Of pre1udce-among those who say that both
tickets are as bad as can be; that there is
nothing to choose between them. and that their
duty is TO record protest
General Palmer by no means agrees with
Mr. Mckinley, but he is not q man Of mega
tions He sees a larger duty than fling pro-
tests, and he has not the slightest difficulty in
making a choice between Mr.. Bryan and his
opponent. In spite of his natural political af-
fliations, he s able to see facts as they are
clearly and dspassionately, and does not erect
deep seated prejudice into an oracle as some
Of the Gold Democratic leaders have done
His calm, sensible puncturing of the anti-im.
perial balloon is enough to make the little New
York boys who are playing politics in the
political nursery with John Jay Chapman and
I. H. Klein use the biggest expletives that have
ever come to their large and shocked ears
Looking over the situation with the advantage
Of long experience and a large and open mind,
he predicts the defeat Of Mr.. Bryan, and thus
analyzes the great paramount issue;
The cry of imperialism will win him no votes
to amount to anything. It's false alarm This
country is not nor Mr. Mckinley and his
followers believers in imperialism. Cuba will
be under self-government in a little while, and
the Filipinos will be governed as best the Ad-
ministration can. Mr.. Mckinley has the conf
dence of the best interests Of the country He
is not an unsafe leader. I differ with him on
many material questions concerning the well
fare of the whole people, but between him and
Bryan there is but one course. If Mr. BRYAN
were President and controlled the legislative
branches, too. this country would be thrown in
panic which would require months to check
and years to heal.
How perfectly sane that is: And 1t will ap-
peal IT, sane men not blinded by deep seated
prejudice even If they do not agree with the
Administration and would prefer 10 see II net
differently on many questions. Sane men know
that Mr. Mckinley Is not a despot and has no
n he bay.
cautious, conservative man, who is doing the
best he can to solve the troublesome practical
problems of our new possessions in n practical
way, and 10 avoid, as the Democrats them
selves demand we should the dIlution OF our
Republic with bodies of new citizens as YET un-
fitted 10 govern themselves, much less help to
govern us That is all there is of Imperialism
and If Mr.. Mckinley were less imperial and
admitted the constitutional right Of the peoples