Washington sentinel., 1900-09-01

Cbe Tissue What is really
Cannot be the predominant
DooGeo. issue in this cam
paign9 The Democratic party anc
thousands of independent voters
insist that it is the twin question
OF imperialism and trIsts--the e
protection of the Republic from
the special and deadly enemy OF
free institutions, an irresponsible
government based on military
power, and the protection Of the
people from the no less oppressive
and ruinous tyranny of business
monopolies. The National Ad-
ministration and the Republican
party claim on the other hand, that
the country is in no danger from
imperialism or trusts, and that the
real danger which confronts the
country is the possible triumph OF
an unsound financial system. In
deciding which Of these claims is
correct 1t may be helpful to point
out that the Republican assertion
is based almost entirely on as
sumptions Of what might happen
If Mr.. Bryan IS elected, while the
Democratic assertion is based on
what has already occurred. In
other words. the Republican prop
ositIon conjures up danger from a
remote possibility in the future;
the Democratic proposition rests
on things already done and con-
dItions already existing.
No verbal subterfuges and spec
ial pleadings can confuse the
American people as to the real
points on which the battle is
joined. The Republicans and
most of their supporters know in
their hearts that the real issue with
them, as with the Democrats, is
imperialism and trusts, but they
have sought to veil it with the free
silver mask. But there are evil
dences that they realize that this
is the issue on which they must
meet the Democrats before the
campaign is over. President Nc
Kinley, it is reported, will be
forced 10 come out from the tree
silver cover, which no longer COW
ers, and meet Mr. Bryan in the
open squarely on the subject OF
imperialism, and it is likely that
before the campaign is much fur
ther advanced the whole Republi-
can plan OF battle will be compelled
to recognize imperialism and trusts
as the predominant issues. The
free silver crv with which they
have been endeavoriug TO alarm
the people is simply and solely a
political stratagem to divert atten-
ton from the real reasons which
have banded together trust and
monopolistic combinations in sup
port Of the Republican party and
against popular interests and free
institutions. They are for the Re-
publican party because that party
is the iarher of imperialism, and
imperialism means monopoly OF
all kinds, industrial as we'll as
governmental. They oppose the
Democratic nominee not because
they fear free silver, but because
they know that under a Demo-
cratic administration there will be
equal opportunities for all and
special tavors to none, and they
support Mr.. Mckinley because
they believe that under his foster
ing hand and an extravagant
regime OF military adventure and
expansion they can still further
swell the immense fortunes which
have already been accumulated at
the expense OF the people. Impe-
rialism and trusts are the real
issues with the Republican man
ayers and the trusts and monopo
lies back oi them quite as much as
thev are with the Democratic
party, and the country understands
it and sees through the insincerity
OF their pretended fear Of free sill
yer, and on these issues the battle
will be fought and decided.