The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1900-08-24
BOURKE COCHRAN WRITES
Urges BrYan's Election to Put
a Check to Imperial.
ism,

The following letter was sent by w.
Bourke Cochran 10 Edwin Burritt Smith
in response to an invitation TO the anti i'm
perialist convention;
New York, Aug. IA My Dear Sir:
regret very much that owing TO that ow-
ing 10 business engagements here will
he unable To attend the liberty conven.
ton at indianapolis ON the 18th. The
attitude Of antiimperialists TO imperial.
ism cannot be open 10 doubt. and there.
fore assure the object Of the conven-
ton is not b. express opposition, but TO
devise method of making that oppo-
sition effective.
The issue of imperialism, having been
squarely brought between the two great
parties, il must be plain that the only
way in which citizen can exercise any
direct influence upon the result is by
voting for the Republican candidate who
supports il or the Democratic candidate
who opposes il. Imperialism rebuked
at the polls and shown 10 be unprofit
able would not have single supporter
in the country. Within month after
the election. Senator Hoar could reduce
his noble conception Of freedom and du.
~ 10 definite proposals Of pacihcation
which both parties would accept. The
country having pronounced for justice.
politicians Of every description will be
eager 10 do justice. and where the desire
for justice is sincere the way 20 justice
is soon discovered.
Since the election Of Mr.. Bryan il Ger.
tain 10 deliver the country from immi.
nent peril Of imperialism can the liberty
convention hesitate 90 support him be
cause of impalpable danger arising from
his opinions ON subjects with which a.
president he cannot possibly dealy
confess il 4 hard 10 understand the
attitude of those gentlemen who would
have supported him II the convention
had remained silent or evasive ON the
free coinage Of silver but who hesitates
20 support him on a platform which cx
cludes that question from the serious
discussions Of the contest by RELOCATING
il 10 a subordinate position.
OPEN FIGHT FOR LIBERTY.
To tins sincerity Of Mr.. Bryan the
country is indebted for the opportunity
10 pass squarely and decisively upon
the issue Of imperialism. II the repub
lie is 10 be overthrown the assault must
now be made in the open light Of day
Ii Is no longer possible 10 strangle Il un.
der cover of misleading and hypocritic
phrases.
In this open fight for liberty surely
every anti-imperialist should be ready 10
bear his part. Hesitation 10 avail our
selves oi the leadership under which
alone opposition 10 Imperialism can be
made effective through distulst Of the
leaders views on economic questions. -
now in issue would be a. senscle< -
hesitation 10 employ surgeon on ~
skill depended the sole prospect oNtB
through dislike Of his religious beliefs
IL can hardly be necessary 10 ssy that
we, who four years ago sacrificed poAti
cal prospects and personal associations
rather than lend even passive support
OF silence 10 declarations which we be
lieyed 10 be subversive Of order will pur
sue the same course again If these eues
tons should ever occur.
The best evidence Of our capacity D.
deal with the issues Of 1902 OF 1906
whatever they may be, Is TO deal int.
ligently now with the issues Of lsCl
On the issue Mr. Bryan stands for ips
tice, liberty and the constitution. ani
since all these would be imperiled by b.
defeat il is 10 be hoped that the libeftl
convention will not be swerved fron
supporting him by preiudices springing
from past antagonisms or by groundles
apprehensions Of the future.
Yours very sincerely.
w. BOURKE CoCKRAN,