Evening star., 1900-08-09
Mr.. BRYAN'S SPEECH
Eastern Press Comments on the
Indianapolis Dehveranoe.
A GENERAL NOTE OF DISfRUSf
Silence on the Silver Issue Re-
garded as Threatening.
VIEWS OF IMPERIALISM
VIEWS OF IMPERIALISM


From the Baltimore American.
| There is nothing in the course of the ad-
ministration which conduces to the belief
that a radical departure from the policies
which have swayed the nation for more
| than hundred years is contemplated. and
in assuming such thing Mr.. Bryan does
SO only for the effect it will have upon the
passions and prejudices of certain classes.
| For insincerity, if not downright dishon-
esty, this line of argument deserves to rank
| with that in which the democratic nomi-
nee revives the old cry of democracy
against plutocracy, made familiar and
| so odious by him in 1896. Throughout this
portion of the speech the trend Of the can
| dldate is toward the destructive. Not until
he begins to define his own position in re-
spect to the Philippines does he approach
| the high plane of constructive statesman
| ship. The scheme is opposed to the
| dictates of American manhood and citizen
| snip, which scouts at the idea of serious
diference of opinion at this time The
| ma ajority of Americans are we believe in
| favor of standing by the administration
| until 1t has quelled the insurrection and re-
| stored law and order in the Philippines That
Is the first and dominating idea of every
| loyal American. The work is not being ia
| cilitated by the course of Bryan and his
supporters-in proof of which witness the
letter of the late Gen. Lawton-but it will
| go on to the end. When this plain duty of
the nation is discharged there may arise
difference of opinion to the final DISPOSE
tion OF the islands. Until such a difference
! can arise We are of the opinion that Mr.
| Bryans sentiments as expressed yester-
| day, Will prove as repugnant to the best
| citizenship as We're his fallacious doctrines
| of four years ago.
From the Baltimore Sun
few days ago the Sun stated that Hon.
| William j. Bryan. in his speech at Indian
apolis accepting the democratic nomination
| for the presidency, would have "a golden
| opportunity" to render signal service to
| his party. That Mr.. Bryan has made wise
| use of this opportunity and that he has
rendered great service to his party cam
not be denied The American peo-
| pie are not an invertebrate people. They
Will not approve Imperialism because Mr..
Mckinley and the republican leaders tell
them 1t is destiny. They will weigh the is
| sue carefully and will decide for them
selves: Mr.. Bryans Indianapolis speech
should convince all whose minds are open
to conviction that the greatest calamity
which could happen to this country would
| be the adoption of the imperial policy ad-
Vocated by Mckinley and Hanna
From the Philadelphia Record.
The paramount issue raised by the
policy of the administration and the re-
publican majority in Congress has not been
more clearly defined nor more forcibly pre-
| sented than in this speech. 1t is an issue
which, Mr.. Bryan declares, the republi-
can party managers will not be permitted
/ to evade in this campaign by attempts to
divert the public mind by boasting and self
congratulation. But whether this great
issue can be more effectually met in the
election of a President than in the choice
| of a democratic majority in the House of
Representatives is another question.
From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
The address of Mr.. Bryan was earnest
| forcble and undoubtedly sincere. and he
| made as clear presentation as Is possible
| of the democratic attitude upon the acqui-
sftion of allen territories. Unfortunately
/
sibly equally as sincere, in his insistence
upon silver as the paramount issue four
years ago. He then predicted great dis
tress to the nation if the 16 to 1 panacea
was not resorted to. He speaks of i'm
perialsm though it We're already upon
u.s. although 1t is not Congress has yet to
act. and the situation is tentative. Con-
| ceding that the disposition of the republic
can party is to hold the Philippines that
policy can only be maintained in the event
| of the early pacitication of the islands But
| the controlling issue in the present cam
paign is that of the currency.
Mr.. Bryan does not refer to free silver
| in his Indianapolis address. 1t is doubtful
| If he will do more than allude to 1t in his
| formal letter of acceptance. 1t is threshed
| straw. burnt powder. The American peo-
! pie demand that the honor and credit of the
| nation shall be preserved, and they have
| supreme distrust Of Mr.. Bryan as politi-
| cal financer.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer
The really significant feature Of the
| speech is the omission of any reference TO
| free silver the one subject which Mr.. Bryan
hitherto has never been able to avoid dis
cussing. Apparently Mr.. Bryan has finally
agreed to sacrifice his convictions to politi-
cal expediency. 1t is a sacrifice which will
cost him many of his admirers and which
will avail nothing in the end. In this
silence is a treason which will ALLEVIATE
| many and propitiate none.
From the Philadelphia Times
hot thar u-aS tn
devote his speech Of acceptance entirely to
discussion of the policy of the admins
tration toward the hiippines may be diff
ferently judged according to the interests
or sympathies of individuals or localities,
but it cannot be denied that Mr.. Bryan
has not merely expressed the convictions
of large part of the American people,
but has made his argument upon such
broad lines and in such dignited Ameri-
can spirit that it will be impossible for
those who hold contrary views to treat 1t
lightly. If any of his supporters are dis
appointed that he makes no specific refer
ence to any of the financial and economic
questions which they deem important the
disappointment of his opponents will be
much greater. 1t will not be easy as was
| expected to pick flaws in this speech. Only
successful achievement can answer it.
From the Philadelphia Press.
The acquisition of territory by treaty is
not new. The suppression Of resistance to
| authority conferred by treaty began CEN
tury ago Government first by commission
and then by self-rule Is the unbroken prece-
dent Of the past for newly acquired terri
tory of the United States. What is new is
for a presidential candidate to encourage
resistance to the lawful authority and the
settled policy of the United States, to con-
done attacks on its flag and the slaughter
of it's soldiers. This man has ever be-
fore dared to do when candidate for the
presidency, and when the American people
are through with Mr.. Bryan no man will
| ever dare 1t again
| From the New York Press.
Neither the dullness nor the staleness nor
yet the feebleness of Mr.. Bryan's speech
| of acceptance should hide from the weary
| voter in the dog days the serious menace
| to the country's interests which the per-
Grafton contains. The effort is before all
| else sophomore. 1t lacks the note of per-
| sonal conviction. But 1t is the program
| nevertheless, Of a potential administration
| of the government of the United States