The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-14

doubt not, the ableSt man Of MaSsa-
chusetts living today. He was with
Cleveland in his position that so an
tagoniZed the democratic party n
well nigh wrecked it. He does not
like Bryan or the platform now, but he
prefers both to the meanest of all
"isms'' in this LAND Of 'isms"-McKin-
leyism n imperialism.
We did not read Mr.. Olney's letter
SO soon as We could. We had
NOT liked his views formerly,
and were at first Indifferent to
what he might hold as TO the true
course in the present very important
campaign tina may prove the most
fateful in American history. even more
fateful than that Of 1860. But when
We road it carefully We were greatly
impressed and said we would read it
again. 1t is a clincher. 1t will make
many a vote for Bryan. 1t is in fact, a
very remarkably clear, vigorous, we'll
wrought argument. The analysis OF
McKinleyism is a very strong, very
pointed and satisfactory. He gives
nine reasons why the American people
should overthrow the present admins
tration. which we seriously hold TO be
the most venal. the most incompetent.
the most usurping. the most reckless
and the most dangerous known to our
country.
u a nan really is a country lover
and a truth seeker he can not do better
possibly than to give a careful study
to the Olney letter. He Will find it
wonderfully lucid and calm and con-
vincino. After studying McKinleyism
and all the bad that is included in that
bundle of depravity and PREACHER
will conclude with Mr.. Olney that mot
to reject McKinleyism at once tends to
fasten it permanently upon the vitals
of the country. 1 find it tolerably clear
that a citizens duty in connection with
the coming presidential election not
only permits but requires him to desire
the success of the democratic party"
One of the strong points he makes in
his tremendous arraignInent of Nc
kinleyism is that the success OF the
republican party next November will
mean that the American people either
do not see. or. seeing, approve the
great and growing if not already over
whelming influence of money IN our
politics" McKinleyism, he declares,
practically holds out the government
as an engine for use in the acquisition
of private wealth. The consequence is
that the money of the country hotly
pursues the control of the government
- - a. $780,
mercial asset In the defeat OF the re-
publican party lies the only hope Of a
return to wholesome conditions, and
Mr.. Olney urges that this defeat be adj
ministered now. The c~aIa1nitous pos
sibilities said to inhere in democratic
success. exaggerated as they are by
partisan zeal and subsidized ingenuity
Mr.. Olney regards as dust in the bal
ance compared with the enduring evils
To result from the vicious national
policies which the Am ,rlcar people are
now desired to impress With the seal
of their favor and TO thus perpetuats
indefinitely"
asks. who shall say that we shall not
soon find ourselves in the tots of a
Chinese problem even more costly,
menacing and insoluble han the Phil
ippine problem itself? Surely every
argument urged in defence of our seiz-
ure of the Philippines can be used a
second time. with even greater force,
to Justify our appropriation of a slics
of China"
10 or that oil roao chA,,1l ,-Aro
You must choose between parties, tax
ing the lesser evil. He writes wisely:
$50 the choice between the parties
one of which must certainly prevail
calls for the exercise of the same sound
common sense. Perfection in a candi-
date or platform is an idle Dream, and
infirmities in it's creed and defects ir
its leadership will always characterize
every party. But they in no wise eX-
cuse a citizen from taking his assigned
part in h government of the c.
from making UP his mind what thu
common veal demands and what par.
tvs success will come nearest satisfy.
ing the demand, and from using hi:
influence and casting his vote accord
ingly. If one citizen may properly
withhold his vote. logically all may
and all the wheels Of government bs
stopped, while to decline voting be.
cause practically assured that other:
will vote is but to give the latter ar
undue share of political power and tt
forfeit the right to complain of AM
I abuse of it. The obligations of citizen.
ship are avoided, not performed, by
standing neutral in an election. The
voting power is a trust which calls fol
use and is violated by the neglect tt
use
Be sure to read carefully what Nc
Kinley stands for as it set forth in tn,
nine most cojent and clear-cut reason:
he presents. .