Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-10-04
Is the Quoting of Lincoln by w. j
Bryan.
MR.. FRY'S FRANK OBSERVATIONS.
Bryanocracy Making Itself Manifest
at the National capital-Interestina
Correspondence from Smith D. Fry,
of That City

respondence)- residents of the
District of Columbia, who affiliate
with the Bryanocracy, are manifest
ing a very lively interest in the cam
paign, in fact they are the whole
thing so far, as is quite natural in
this city which is full of democratic
office-holders who are protected by
the democratic civil service law and
rules.
Immense democratic banners float
on Pennsylvania avenue, bearing the
likeness of the populist of Nebraska
and the demo-pop of Illinois, and they
are the largest, most attractive cam
paign banners afloat anywhere in this
city.
There is a large element here who
glory in their past notwithstanding
that the past is linked with the stu
pendous effort which they and their
friends made to disrupt the Union.
No matter who may be nominated by
the so-called democracy, or what
isms" may be promulgated in that
name, or what paramount" issues
may be injected into the canvass, by
squaking jawsmiths, this element in
the country will be for the whole
thing. In a republican and in the re-
publican party they can see no good,
and just as determinedly as they hated
Lincoln and his followers, thirty-six
years ago, do they hate Mckinley
and his following in this year of 1900.
1t isn't in good form to put such
truths in type, because a mawllish SEN
timentality, with disgusting fear,
whispers that the uncovering of such
facts is waving the bloody Shirt
Well, if saying what is the inspiration
of the Bryanocracy is waving the
crimson garment, let her wave; for
facts are facts, as careful as some
editors may be, in trying to keep
those facts from the dear people.
Hence is it any great wonder that big
banners float here with notices as I'M
patriotic as were those which were
Haunted, with brazon affrontery, in
the faces of the legions of Grant,
Sherman and Sheridan?
This ghost of the lost cause con-
fronts one so often here in Washing
ton, that the thought arises, may not
this spirit be lingering elsewhere at
times; else why the solid south 2"
May it not have been recently fit
ting UP the mountain sides, and down
the valleys of North Carolina? May
not it's silent but potent influence have
inspired the Goebel travesty of I'M
just election laws in "Our Old Ken
lucky home?"
DO not, my countrymen, lay the
flattering JUNCTION to your souls, and
be soothed Herewith, that this spirit
received it's everlasting quietus at
AppomatoX. Whether it floats about
elsewhere or not, its shadowy form is
seen and felt quite often here, where
we have the great white dome, Wash
ington's monument and sacred Airing
ton. Last night listened to speeches
which were delivered at the hosting
of one of the big banners referred to,
and the sentiments uttered. were akin
to those spoken when the followers
of Abraham Lincoln Charles Sumner.
Wendell Phillips, Owen Lovejoy and
others just as good, true men We're
called 'black republicans and Lin
coin hirelings." The old cry comes to
us, just as it did from the Chicago
convention of 1S64-"the war is a
failure"-The president gracious and
| 1900, ''is a usurper." In all justice
however, IL SHoulu pe SAID LnaC Wnlle
MI. Lincoln was called clown, that
or similar epithet has not been at,
tached to Mr.. Mckinley. For this
one consideration for the president OF
the United States, the office, if not
the man, Acknowledgements should be
made.
Perhaps later on in the campaign
when Bryanocracy succeeds in working
some voters into the full belief thai
William Mckinley is actually and de
liberately working to destroy the
foundations of the republic upon the
ruins of which he cody, deliberately
and alphabetically, intends to erect
a throne upon which he shall sit witt
a crown upon his royal head, and {
scepter in his imperialistic hand, they