Washington sentinel., 1900-08-18

brpdn Mr.. Bryan can
ano t. no' ps 'n',E :. = go.
Prohibition. server No man
before the public
today, in all his acts and in all his
utterances, has stood more firmly
and consistently upon the ground
he occupied when ne made his
entry into politics than has Mr.,
Bryan. For ten years and more he
has occupied a prominent place in
the public eye; he has formed
opinions on all leading subjects
and he has never hesfated to ex-
press them; and as ready, fearless
and consistent defender of those
opinions he has won praise on all
hands, from political ioes as well
as political friends. He has not
been on one side today and on an.
other tomorrow-like his opponent
on the Republican ticket, who has
been Tor silver and against it, as he
has been for and a ainst many
other subjects, CHANGING when he
thought his political fortunes could
be subserved by change. When
ever Mr.. Bryan has taken a stand
upon a political question. it has
been only alter calm and mature
considera ton OF that question, and
once taken we may rest assured
that his decision is founded upon
sound Democratic principles and
that he will uphold it whenever
called upon to do so. This, we
say, will be admitted by everyone.
The question Of Prohibition has
been prominent in American poll
tics for half a century or more. BY
local option, dispensary laws, and
in many other ways, the goal OF
Prohibition has been sought-but
Il has ever been Prohibition.
Parties have espoused and parties
have opposed its enactment. Not
withstanding efforts to the con-
trary, it has always been, and is
today, a political question-stead-
lastly opposed by the National
Democratic party, sometimes
openly, but always secretly, sup
ported by the Republicans.
Prohibition will figure in the
pending campaign. Ithas already
entered the arena, not, however,
through the medium Of the Ma
tional Prohibition ticket, which no
one considers seriously, but
through inquiries as to the position
taken by Mckinley and Bryan
upon this important issue. OfMr.
Mckinley it may be surely said
that on this question he will be a
trimmer. AT heart he stands with
his party for Prohibition. Lest,
however, he should lose the votes
Of Republican Prohibitionists (ot
which there is small likelihood as
they are Republicans irst and Pro-
hibitionists aiterwards) he will not
openly oppose their cause; nor will
he espouse it because Of the GER
rainty Of losing the votes OF Re-
publican Prohibitionists, par
ticularly among the Germans,
whom he has allenated already by
his imperialistic policy and for
whom an espousal OF the cause Of
Prohibition would be as the last
straw upon the camels back.
Should he win, and have a Repub-
lican House and Senate at his back
and a demand be made for enact
ment Of Prohibition law, the out
come will not be long in doubt
We will get it.
AS to Mr.. Bryan, it is equally
certain that he will stand where he
has always stood with his party
in opposition to all sumptuary
laws.
AS long ago as October I3, 1890,
Mr.. Bryan made a campaign
speech in debate with one of his
opponents in Lincoln, Nebraska,
while the prohibition amendment
to the Constitution oi Nebraska
was pending before the people. in
which he used the following Ian
guage:
There is one question, however, which
Is now before the people OF the State