The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-09-15
DEMOCRATIC TRICKSTERS
dale % Consress in this distri

II Obtained COntrC! Oh inc Demo-
z cratic party, thrust aside the
great, conservative leaders who
had led them to victory in the past, and
promulgated platform filled with seduc-
tive appeals to class prejudice and to
the Cupidity Of human nature-a plat
form that struck at the independence OF
Judiciary and demanded that we should
sacrifice our national honor by debasing
the currency. Those leaders were re-
pudated by the people, and as each
succeeding year has given additional
proof Of the absurdity and falsity OF their
arguments, the popular contempt for
them has increased. Realizing this
they know that their only hope for sue
c less in the present campaign lies in their
talking so persistently upon other
questions that the people shall forget
that they are the same men who led the
assault upon our prosperity and national
honor in '96.
Driven by this necessity they have
invented a number of sham issues, among
which imperialism is declared to be par
amount. Nothing could illustrate more
forcibly the straits in which they find
themselves. During the course OF a war
in the declaration OF which the represent
atives Of all parties united, we overthrow
the dominion of Spain in the Philippine
Islands. Having taken this step we be-
c anne responsible for the results that
should follow. When we had freed the
people from their foreign oppressors we
could not deliver them over to anarchy
or to the irresponsible tyranny of local
despots. In the fulilllment OF q sacred
obligation, therefore we have entered
upon the work OF establishing peace,
order and good government in these
islands that we may give TO their people
the conditions of happier existence.
This is practical and honest course OF
action that any party in power would be
compelled to take, or stand before the
world convicted of inCompetenCy and
cowardicc. But Notwithstanding these
plain facts Democratic leaders assume
that we have entered upon a career of
ruthless foreign conquest with view
to building up vast colonial sys-
tenn. Upon this false assumption they
erect the hobgoblin of imperialism,
and proceed to launch against it their
solemn philippics.
Another product of their invention is
'milltariSm." That We might meet the
esponsibililies that came to us as a re-
suit Of our own voluntary action in de-
claring war on Spain, the size OF our
army has been slightly increased. Sub
sequent events in China have proved
that such a step is also necessary if we
are to protect our representatives. and
citizens abroad and maintain our dignity
and honor throughout the world. The
argument that eighty millions Ct people,
electng their own rulers al short inter-
walls of time, could have their liberties
endangered by small force OF 100000
men, is too absurd to deceive even the
unthinking. We are told, therefore,
that this is but the beginning, Such a
statement amounts simply to declare
ton that the people are unfit to be trust
ed, The Republican party believes that
we may do all that national safety and
honor demand, and trust that il the
future the people shall permit this and
no more to be done.
Thus by declaiming necessarily mag
mary dangers do they hope to blind the
people to the fact that the Democratic
leaders of to-day are the very men who
promulgated the wild vagaries of the
Chicago platform.