Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-10-18
4 IERG IND TIMELY PRESENTATION.
IMPERIALISM

This is declared by Mr.. Bryan and
other Democratic leaders to be the
paramount ISSUE" In other words, 1t
Is the best and most important reason
they can offer why the most prosper
GUS administration this country has
ever known should be turned out, and
why they who have no record but as
politicians should be placed in control
of the stupendous interests of this
country. The term Imperialism" as
used by Mr.. Bryan In application to the
present administration, has reference
to the uses to which the military power
of tho government has been put dur
ing President McKinley's administra-
tion. What are those uses?
In 1898 war was declared against
Spain by unanimous vote Of the con-
gress Of the United States; and remem-
ber by congress" is meant both Demo-
cratic and Republican representatives
in the house and In the senate. The
Republican administration did not, Of
course. and could not declare war; but
under the constitution, which vests the
power to declare war in congress only,
the duty Of making war, when so de-
clared, is imposed on the president
and his cabinet, and he must obey the
mandate of congress. All the world
knows the success with which the Re-
publican administration carried through
the war which drove Spain from the
American continent.
Mr.. Bryan came forward then as
patriot and asked for and was appoint
ed colonel of a regiment, ready to take
his full share of the responsibility in
this first step toward what he now mis-
names Imperialism" We say first
step. Let us look at the second and
chief step and his part therein, for 1t
is the basis on which his cry of I'M
perialism" must rest, II 1t has any basis
at all.
When the Spanish war was brought
to its brilliant conclusion 1t was the
same almost unanimous congress, Dem
ocrats and Republicans, who instructed
for the terms Of peace with Spain and
which ratified all the peace condi-
tions, including the taking over of the
Philippine islands; and again, under
the constitution, the president of the
United States had no recourse but to
carry out the terms of this peace
treaty. Congress has never recalled
that instruction to the president, and
he has no alternative but to proceed
with his duty, until congress declares
for some other line of action.
Where did Mr.. Bryan stand at the
time this treaty of peace was being
considered by congress? He made
special trip to Washington and did all
in his power to have the treaty ratified.
II 1t was right then it must be right
now: and it Is right now. and no man
knows this better than Mr. Bryan. Let
Mr.. Bryan answer why he is so greatly
moved by the alleged wrongs of the
colored race In the Philippines. 1000
miles away, yet dare not raise his
voice in defense of millions of colored
American citizens here at home in the
southern states. who are refused their
rights of citizenship? Thus 1t appears
that 1t Is the congress of the United
States. Democrats and Republicans,
and notably Mr.. Bryan as far as 1t was
in his power, who are responsible for
this thing he now calls Imperialism"
and not President Mckinley. and not
his cabinet. except as they did their
duty under the constitution. which
they had sworn to perform. In brief.
the paramount issue" is spurious and
Is no reason at all.
1t means false politics, even as an
other Democratic ISSUE" free silver"
means false money: and Mr. Bryan
knows that both are spurious.