The representative., 1900-10-18

strange then. that there should now be con-
cert OF action between those who sincerely
believe that crisis has been reached in
which mere party considerations are of Sec
0ndary Importance.
Involved in the settlement of this great
question are consequences OF deep import
to the American people. The supreme
gravity OF the issue cannot be measured
in words. AS was truly said by an emf
nent Republican senator. The question is
greater than parties, greater than admins
trations. greater than the prosperity and
happiness of a-single generation.
More than this following close in the
wake Of Imperialism. as the night the day.
comes the immense standing army. The
dread arm of militarism is to be made bare
in the new world as it is in the old The
strong arm OF power is to be substituted
for the peaceful agencies which for mere
J than century have brought contentment
and happiness to all our people. Existing
conditions in Continental Europe-entailing
taxation and misery to the verge of hu-
man endurance-illustrate by sad object
lesson the inevitable result of large stand
ing armies in time of peace
Conditions now existing in the Philip
pine islands, for which we are in meas
ure responsible impose new duties upon
us. These people are entitled to protec
tiOn against the cupidity and aggressive
spirit of other nations And this is not
to the end of subjugation upon our part. but
to that of the full enjoyment by them of
liberty and the ultimate establishment of
stable government fashioned by their own
hands.
"Imperialim-the republic or the empire
is indeed the -Overshadowing issue with
which we are confronted in the pending
struggle for political supremacy. It's de-
termination is to be by the American peo-
pie through the peaceful instrumentality
OF the ballot. Meanwhile, its discussion
will continue at the freside and on the
hustings with an earnestness rarely equaled
In our history. 1t was Burkes who said ::
I love clamor when there is an abuse The
alarm bell disturbs the inhabitants but
it saves them from being burned in their
BEDS
again, thanking the committee, and
those they represent, I accept the nomi-
nation so generously rendered me. Should
your action be ratified by the people at
the polls it will be my earnest endeavor
to discharge with adelity the duties Of the
great Office
'"ADLAI E. STEVENSON"
It will be extremely humiliating to
most Populists to vote for this old gold
bug who has plainly indicated in this
letter of acceptance the contempt he
holds for Populist principles.
After lightly referring to our ideas
on finance, taxation and trusts, in such
language as in no manner to indorse our
tenets or platform demands, he adds
insult to the slight by saying:
I'm common, however, with the Silver
Republicans and the Democratic parties
you recognize the important fact that all
! these are but questions of the hour. In
the presence of the overshadowing issue
of imperialism others are but as the
dust in the balance
Shall the Populists be told by the part
ner of old Grover that the demands OF
the Omaha platform are "but questions
of the hour?" that they "are but as the
dust in the balance?"
Shall this man. who organized and
presided over the Cleveland senate OF
1893 tell Populists their demands "are
but as the dust in the balance" and then
receive our votes? Perish the thought
Shall this man who helped strike the
knock out blow to silver in the repeal OF
the Sherman purchase act be aided by
Populist ballots to the very same office
in which in 1893 he did this mischief?
Does this nation want another Grover
Cleveland senate in which governmental
reforms here at home are to be consider
ed "but as dust in the balance?"
Are Populists so far bereft of reason
as to vote for vice-president who open
ly declares we haven't sense enough to
recognize an issue, that we haven't po-
litical acumen enough to see beyond the
exigencies Of the hour? Must American
issues give way before those of the
orient? e. A. T.