Rock Island Argus., 1900-08-09
Made a Wonderful Impression.

Newspapers generally-wlth the ex-
ception of those of the narrow bound
partisan nature-comment favorably
on the wonderful impression w. j
Bryan's speech at indianapolis yester-
day made upon the country.
A dispatch from Canton says:
President Mckinley has read Bry-
ans speech. While he does not agree
with it in argument, he recognizes it
as the product of a master mind. He
kept informed today of the Indianap-
oils convention and in the midst of
affairs of state eagerly read news
from Bryan. The republican leaders
realize thew must do hard work to
prevent Indiana from giving its vote
to Bryan"
The staff correspondent of the Chi
cago Times-Herald telegraphing from
indianapolis, says: "Mr. Bryan's
speech, considered as an argument on
his side of the Imperialism issue, is
deemed by his friends and enemies
who heard it to be the best he ever
made. The web of it was pleasingly
colored, but not over-elaborated with
rhetoric. The behold republic pc
roration rose to the height of real elo
Cuence."
And the Chicago Record, although
claiming to beindependent politically,
as rule and has always had republican
tendencies, in it's editorial comments
declares the speech to be Il strong ap-
peal to all who oppose the policy of
the administration in respect to Porto
Rico and the Philippines. 1t then
goes on to compare Bryan's unequivo-
cal declaration of policy toward the
Philippines with the indefinite at itude
charged by him to the republican
party. Says the Record: The por
tion of Mr.. Bryan's speech in which
he announces what he will do in re-
spect to the Philippines, if elected,
will receive special attention. Mr..
Bryan makes this distinct pledge: If
elected, l shall convene congress in
extraordinary session as soon as l am
inaugurated and recommend an i'm
mediate declaration of the nations
purpose, first, tC establish a stable
form of government in the Philippine
islands, Just as we are now establish
ing a stable form of government in
Cuba; second, to give independence to
the Filipinos, just as we have prom
ised to give independence to the Gu
bans; third, to protect the FilIpinos
from outside interference while they
work out their destiny, Just as we
have protected the republics of Cen
trail and South America and are by the
Monroe doctrine pledged to protect
Cuba. A European protectOrate often
results in the exploitation of the ward
by the guardian. An American pro-
tec:orate gives to the nation protected
the advantage of our strength without
making it the victim of our greed.
For three quarters of a century the
Monroe doctrine has been a shield to
neighboring republics and yet it has
imposed no pecuniary burden upon
us
Voters who are seeking light on
the attitude of the two parties will do
well to contrast this with MIR, McKin-
ley's utterance on the same point in
his speech of acceptance at Canton.
Said Mr.. Mckinley:
There mus be no scuttle policy.
We will fulfill in the Philippines the
obligations imposed by the triumph
of our arms, by treaty of peace. and
by international law, by the nation S
sense of honor. and. more than all, by
the rights, interests and conditions Of
the Filipinos themselves.
The Philippines are ours and Ameri-
can authority must be supreme
throughout the archipelago
MIR. Bryan's plan for the solution
of the Philippine problem is specific; |
Mr.. McKinley's general and unfortu-
nately vague. The one tells what he |
proposes to do. the other states a |
theory. But the substantial differ !
ence in their views need not for that /,
reason be missed. Mr.. Bryan if
elected will undertake to give the Fill !
ipinos self-government, Withdrawing !
as speedy as possible from the islands
and maintaining only such protec-
torate as will restrain other powers J
from interfering. Mr.. Mckinley if !;
elected may do any one of mum ber !
of things. but whatever course he !,
{ oes take will look to the permanent !
retention of the Philippines. wheth-
er he proposes to retain them under '
martial law OF as colonies or as a ter
by means of local represent J
ative government or by authority of
governors appointed from Washing !,
ton, he does not say. But keep them
in some wsy be will.
ut viii no longer do for the sup
Porters of the policy of the adminis-l