The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-10
REPUBLICAN WEAKNESS.

In the present condition OF the Re-
publican national organization there is
gratifying proof that President McKin-
iey's mad Progress toward Empire is
net sanctioned by that element OF the
party which yet holds fast TO American
ism as opposed 10 an Imperialism which
threatens the sure destruction of the
Republic.
1t will be astonishing indeed If Senator
Hoar CT Massachusetts, copdemniug I'M
perlalism with all the earuestness posi-
Ole to an exceptionally honest and COLI
scientious American, shall finally vote
for Mr.. McKinley's reelection on the
feeble ground that he cannot bring him
self TO the point of voting against the
Republican nominee. Mr.. Hear is too
clear-Sighted man not to see that the
Issue of the Republic against the Em-
pire is an issue which rises above party.
1t VIII be equally astonishing if Sena-
tor Edmunds of Vermont, despairing, as
he does under existing conditions, of the
adoption of a true American policy in
dispcsing Of the Philippines, shall new
ertheless vote for Mckinley for the sole
reason. as stated by himself, that he can
not bring himself to regard Mr.. Bryan
as safe man. Mr.. Mckinley stands
for the unameriean policy which Senator
Edmunds condemns. Mr.. Bryan and the
Democratic party stand for the Ameri-
can policy which Senator Edmunds adj
vocateS. The issue of the Republic
against the Empire demands that prin-
Gin los
1t Will be astonishing, also, IL Thomas
T. Reed OF Maine, who has from the
first nnqualitedly condemned the Presi-
dents Philippine policy, and who retired
from Congress and the sponsorship Of
the House because he could not honestly
subscribe TO that policy, shall. in despite
of his convictions. vote for the man and
the policy thus condemned. 1t would be
more in keeping with Mr.. Reeds yirile
and aggressive temperament were he TO
take the lead in the Republican anti
imperialist movement which Senator
Hoar fears TO head, and there render the
service to his country which is de
manded from him as a faithful Ameri-
can.
In 1896 the only detection In Republic
an ranks was that of the Silver wing of
the party. In 1900 this element is still
opposing Mr.. Mckinley and his master,
Mark Hanna, and is more effectively or
ganiZed than before. In addition. there
is L notable withdrawal from Republic
an party ranks of anti-imperiaiist Re
publicanS who refuse 10 assist in trans
forming the Republic into an Empire.
on this same ground the German-Ameri-
can voters are severins their connection
with Republicanism. Equally resentful
of Imperialism, and bitterly cOndemning
President Mckinley's Tory subserviency
TO British influence, the IrisL-American
element which supported 3ir. Mckinley
in 1896 is opposing his reelection now.
The President, misled by the dollar
worshiping Hanna, has made a griev-
Gus mistake. He has taken it for granted
that the American people are willing 10
betray the Republic for the loot of EN-
pire- He will be awakened in Novem-
Der to q realization Of the fact that the
old American spirit is still alive, and
that it stands in the way of Empire. de-
Tending liberty and the Institutions Of
liberty, just as it did in the days of JEFF
fersOn, when the Declaration of indie
pendence announced the birth of a Gov
eminent founded Oh the rights of men.