Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-20
The Paramount Puzzle.

One Of the interesting and instruc-
/ tive studies II the present campaign is
the disagreement of the Democratic
papers in different sections of the
Democratic platform and the policies
for which Bryan stands. The Kansas
City Journal attacks this weakness in
the opposition armor by quoting from
many papers. In looking over these
extracts from the editorial pages OF the
leading Democratic organs we find
utterly divergent opinions.
For example. we are assured by Ger
tain Democratic Journals that if elect
"a president, Mr.. Bryan would with
draw all American troops from the
Philippines and leave the natives to
tiveness, however, we are told by other
Democratic journals that Mr.. Bryan
would use the troops to establish the
stable government" provided for in
the Democratic platform. Mr. Bryan
himself is lodging this issue, and no
doubt he will continue to dodge it I'M
til the end Of the campaign.
But the widest divergence Of Demo-
cratic opinion is found in the discus
sion IF 4 paramount" issue. ON the
one hand we find such Democratic pa
pers as the New York Journal, the
Charlcstown News and Courier, the
New Orleans Picayune ana the Wash
ington Times declaring that silver is
not an issue Of the campaign at all.
OF the four papers named the first
three are of the opinion, as stated by
the New York Journal that silver is
not III politics, the mass Of the Dem
ocratiC party being 50 unfriendly to ii
that a free coinage bill could not pass
a congress made up entirely of Demo-
Gratis" With these three the allah
sorbing issue is imperialism" and they
hope that nothing else Will be talked Of
in the coming campaign. But to the
Washington Times neither 'imperial-
ism" nor silver appears to be the real,
paramount. overshadoWiug issue. 1t
has one which it drags to the front in
this language; Tho issue is not silver.
The real, all-containing issue before
the people is: shall the country be
l.;
for another -four years to be taxed and
looted for their enrichment, as it has
been ever since 1891" Ana from this
supreme issue the Times says the at
tention Of the country should not he
diverted by false campaign over sill
Yer or imperialism.
Yet. while these undoubtcd leaders OF
Democratic thought are cocksure that
silver has no place in the present cam
whose leadership is just as undoubted
conceive that silver is the whole thing
For example, there is the Richmond
Times which discourses in this fash.
ion:
If the Democrats and Mr. Bryan az
not intend to carry out the silver
pledge in the platform they are play
ing false with the Populists and FIRE,
silver Republicans. who have promisct
their support for this plank only.
Mr.. Bryan We're elected and did not d
all in his power to help silver, h,
would he a traitor to these people VIII,
trust him so implicitly" And to thi
the Nashville Banner adds: 1T is
simple absurdity to talk of ignorin;
the l6 to l plank in the platform. Tina
, is really the only substantial issue il
the campaign. The loud blast agains
Imperialism. which the platform al
leges to be paramount. is fustian.''
: But the anti Mckinley papers which
we have just quoted are not warm sup
= porters of Mr.. Bryan. We can ge
2 better evidence of the divided nature o
> Democratic sentiment by going to jour
, nails that are strongly advocating Bry