The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-11
MCKINLEY'S ACCEPTANCE.
What Leading Newspaper Editors Think o
His Latest Letter
NOT AN INSPIRING LETTER.
Baltimore Sun, DEM


Baltimore Sun, DEM
The letter is not an inspiring one, and
it may be doubted whether it will dispel
the apathy in the Republican ranks which
Chairman Hanna so often deplores.
Mr.. Mckinley is evidently anxious to
make silver the leading issue of the cam
paign while regretting the reopening of
the question" Our antagonists" he
says, compel us to a second battle on the
same lines on which the first was fought
and won" Mr.. Mckinley apparently does
not recognize the fact that conditions have
entirely changed since the first battle
was fought that his administration has
made an issue of far greater Importance
than the currency the paramount issue.
The evils which he predicts as a result
of Republican defeat are based upon the
hypothesis that the Democrats will con-
troll the legislative as we'll as the execu-
tive branch of the Government. This is
a remote possibility. On the other hand,
the country is already experiencing the
evils of the imperialist policy inaugurated
by this Administrations policy which
may undermine the whole structure of
our Government and lead to consequences
turbance of our monetary system.
Mr.. Mckinley makes an elaborate but
not a convincing argument to show that
the conditions which have resulted from
his policy in the Philippines were unavoid-
able. He attempts to prove that the
Filipinos were absolutely in the wrong;
that he adopted a humane and concilia-
tory policy, which they rejected, and that
the responsibility for the war rests upon
the natives. Mr.. Mckinley cannot expect
the American people to accept his state
ments upon this point without reserve.
They are convinced that different policy,
and one which would have reflected the
greatest credit upon this nation, would
have established friendly relations be-
tween the American and the Filipinos
and would have assured us every COM
mercial advantage which we might have
required in the Philippines. Those who
profess to distrust the liberal and honor
able purposes of the Administration in it's
treatment of the Philippines" says Mr..
Mckinley, ARE not justified. Imperial
ism has no place in its creed or conduct.
Freedom is rock upon which the Repub-
lican party was built and now rests"
If this were the case--if the Republican
party were still the party of freedom,
such men as Hon. Carl Schurz, ex-Gover-
nor Boutwell,, of Massachusetts,, and others
who assisted in the organization of the
party would not have abandoned it and
would not now be found among the OPP
ponents of McKinleyism. The fact is, de-
spite the Presidents specious reasoning
and fine words, that the country not only
distrusts but fears his policy. The people
have seen the Republican party set up the
extraordinary doctrine that this Republic
can maintain a colonial system and hold
the inhabitants Of the colonies as sub
jects," entitled to none of the privileges
of American citizenship and not protected
by the Constitution. This may be Mr..
McKinley's idea of freedom. but it is a
monstrous doctrine for the President of
free republic to promulgate. Mr.. Nc
Kinley has not strengthened his party's
position by his letter of acceptance. He
cannot convince the American people by
such argument as he arrays in this letter
that the dangers of Imperialism, as prac-
ticed by the Administration, are less seri-
Gus than they appear to be.