Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-08-23

Bourke coehran's Letter.
The Anti-Imperialists held conference
at Indianapolis last week 70 confer together
and unite on course Of political action
during the coming campaign. Three hum
dred delegates were present A feature of
the conference was letter from Bourke
Cochran, Of New York in which he de-
elares his conclusions IN way that must
interest the general public. He wrote
/ regret very much that, owing to busi-
ness engagements here, ! will be unable
to attend the Liberty Convention at In
dianapolis on the 10Th.
The attitude of anti-imperialists to inn
perialism cannot be open to doubt, and
therefor | assume the object OF the Con-
vention is not to express opposition, but TO
deyise a method 81 making that opposition
effective.
The issue OF imperialism having been
sauarelv raised between the two great
parties. it must be plain that the only way
in which citizen can exercise any direct
influence upon the result is by voting for
the Republican candidate who supports IT,,
or the Democratic candidate who opposes
it.
Nothing can be accomplished by the
nomination of third candidate that can
not be accomplished equally by abstention
from the polls. except that the citizen who
remains at home on election day passes UNI
noticed, while he who votes third ticket
attracts attention. The difference between
a silent and vociferous refusal to exercise
the suffrage is not worth discussion, since
a5stention from civil duty is never COM
mendable When the Republic is in danger
tine only place for the patriot is in the ranks
Of its active defenders. Absence from the
field of contest OF shooting in the air can
never be justified.
BRYAN PowERLEss AS TO CURRENCY
CHANGES
It cannot be denied that, while anti-im-
perialists unanimously approve Mr. Bryan's
position ON imperialism, many of them
hesitate to vote for his election to the
Presidency because they regard his views
upon other questions with distrust and
apprehension.
We cannot hope to deal intelligently
with the issues of this campaign until we
liberate ourselves from the domination of
the questions, discussions and passions OF
the last campaign. Within four years
political conditions have changed decisively,
and as conditions change issues change
with Them The question which the peo-
pie must decide now is radically different
from that submitted TO them IN 1896. Then
the election Of Mr.. Bryan would have
placed the Democratic party in complete
control of the legislative as well as of the
executive branch of the Government, with
full power to enact all its beliefs into law,
while now his election will result not in
placing the control of the Government in
Che hands of the Democratic party, but in
dividing its control between the two
parties. Whatever may be the result of
this election, the Senate will remain Re-
publican for two years certainly, and
probably for four Even if the people
raised Mr. Bryan to the Presidency in
November, the Democratic party cannot
possibly achieve any power of legislation
during the existence of the next Congress,
and without legislative sanction no change
in the standard of value, no recognition of
the Supreme Court, no modification what
ever of our financial, industrial or political
systems could be accomplished.
WILL BE SETTLED IRREyoCABLY IN No
vEMBER.
There is one issue which the popular
verdict viii settle irrevocably, and that is
the issue of Imperialism. If the Republic
can party be successful, its control of the
Judicial, as well as the Executive and
Legislative Departments of the Govern
ment will be absolute and its disposition
to exercise all its power for the enforcement
of an imperialistic policy cannot be
doubted. Al the end of four years inn
perialism will be so firmly imbeded in our
political life that it can never be expelled.
Mr.. Bryan's election Of itself would put
a quietus on the imperialistic adventure.
No policy specifically condemned by the
people has ever been adopted into our
system, and imperialism would prove no
exception to the rule Mr. Hoar's sugges-
ton that the Senate would refuse to follow
a Democratic President in a policy of
humanity approved by the people does
faint justice to his own patriotic capacity
when-liberated from the exigencies of a
capnDaign Tor Ee7eleetion- intellect and
his conscience WouIu restored 10 mar
monious and effective cooperation I'm
perialism, rebuked at the polls and shown
TO be Improbable, would not have single
supporter in the country. Within month
of election Senator Hoar could reduce his
noble conceptions of freedom and duty to
definite proposals of pacifcation which
both parties would accept The country
having pronounced for justice, politicians
of every shape and description will be eager
TO do justice, and when the desire for
justice is sincere the way to justice is soon
discovered.
THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
Since the election of Mr. Bryan is GER