New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-22
4 NATTER OF CHOICE.

In a letter to the Editor which we printed
yesterday Mr.. Perry Belmont, who denounced
and repudiated Organism in 1896, seeks to
show that his support 0i Organism in 1900 is q
fine example Of political intelligence and virtue.
BE says:
What is then. the supreme issue Of 1902 It
Is the Treaty Of Paris, it's Interpretation and
legal effect its relation and the relation Of the
islands II ceded TO the Constitution. whether or
not the United States can rule over those Islands
IN disregard Of the restraints the people have
by their Constitution imposed on their National
agents. wherever on sea or land, in States or
Territories in Porto Rico New Mexico Alaska,
the Philippines or in China, any Of those agents,
be II President or Congress may seek to eXer-
else Government power. The results Of the war
and the problems arising in our new possessions
must be solved under the Constitution. Out Of
our great National prosperity arises the neces-
sity OF new outlets for capital. Such capital and
individual rights must have the safeguards Of
constitutional protection There is no SAFETY for
liberty or property over which our Constitution
does not extend
For the settlement Of the momentous ques-
tons which he cOnceives TO be involved in 1.-The
supreme issue of 1907 Mr.. Belmont viii en-
ploy his best endeavors throughout the cam
paign and his vote on Election Day TO put Mr.
Bryan and his party 10 control of the Govern
ment II is pertinent. therefore, TO recall the
opinion which Mr. Belmont in one of the
speeches which raised his reputation four years
ago, expressed concerning the men TO whom
he IS now anxious TO commit the solution Of
these problems. He said:
They lead directly 10 reputation TO fat money.
the degradation of the Supreme Court by DO
Utical control, an unconstitutional impairment
OF the obligation Of and interference with the
freedom Of contracts, reckless attack upon
our National and monetary integrity, as well
as upon our whole system Of commercial
credits. They war upon what constitutes
the strength and power Of the Nation, alarming
interests. shaking confidence nv
threatening to destroy the sources of labor to
the injury and detriment Of the workingman.
The Democratic candidate and the men near
est TO him this year are the men whom Mr.
Belmont thus clearly and forcibly described in
1896. An excellent collection of statesmen they
are, indeed, according 10 Mr.. Belmont. to be
inTrusted with the vast and delicate interests
which he now declares to be in peril! Mr.. Bel
mont and his associates, new and old have
much 10 say at present about the sanctity Of
the Constitution and the imperative necessity
Of preserving ii inviolate in order that it may
continue to protect the institutions and bless
the people of the United States Hence they
are sOlicitous TO put In power the men who as
Mr.. Belmont said, are committed to the degra-
~dation by political control of the Supreme
Court" which is the Interpreter and guardian
Of the Constitution; who are resolved upon IAN
unconstitutional impairment Of the obIigatio
"0f contracts" and "a reckless attack upon our
National and monetary integrity" and who
war upon what constitutes the strength and
power Of the Nation" Mr. Belmont now evil
IDENTITY thinks that the Supreme Court when its
degradation by political control had been thor
oughly accomplished, would be in an admirable
condition to defend the Constitution under
which the results Of the war and the prob
''lems arising in our new possessions must be