The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-30
10 the Editor Of the IndianapolIs journal:

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
Political developments have been made
within the last thirty days that cannot
help reminding the older men of the con-
dition OF affairs in the early sixties. There
Is no longer any issue on tho money ques-
ton; you hardly ever hear silver men
toned, and the cry of imperialism, mill
tarism and the trusts as issues is no longer
heard except as vehicles to carry the real
issue-Bryanism. Nothing like IL was ever
before IN American politics. No other
candidate has ever before secured the
country preaching only the doctrine OF
hate. Mr.. Bryan has not made a speech
in a month whose essence was not an
archism. When called back to the silver
question as IL was four years ago. and as
the Kansas City platform evidently in
tends it should be this year, he talks all
around the question only to conceal his
purpose TO array class against class. The
violent outbreak at Victor a month ago
was only a beginning of Bryan demon
strations. Hardly day has PASSED since
that something of the same kind has not
occurred, and thousands who had intended
TO vote for Mr.. Mckinley have within the
last ten days realized that Mr.. English Is
right in saying the only real issue is Bry
archy. This applies especially to a class of
men with Republican convictions on ma
tional issues who were offended at Mr..
Mckinley's attitude on the canteen mat
ter. Whether right or wrong, they regard
ed the silver and all other issues secondary
10 this. but now that the real core of Bry
anism Is more manifest by his speeches
and the rowdyism of his friends towards
Mr. Roosevelt. they are resolving to re-
buke the spirit OF Democracy as repre-
scented by Mr.. Bryan by more than half
vote.
The situation will remind older people
OF the attitude OF Rev. Williamson Terrill.
one OF the ablest Methodist preachers OF
the middle years or the century, who was
He was an intense Prohibitionist, but, I'M
like the young men who think they now
have the exclusive charge OF Prohibition
ism, he was a temperance man before he
became Prohibitionist, and he worked
at It. After the annIlment of the prohibi-
tory law of 1855 he was among the most
conspicuous TO apply his temperance senti-
ment TO politics by refusing 10 vote for
fntemperate men. No such thing q
Prohibition party had then been proposed,
and his plan, adopted generally by tenn
perance men, was working we'll when the
war broke out. and a rule the more
sober Of each party were elected. On the
breaking out OF the war only one ques-
ton came TO the front. and mems habits
and views on temperance were lost sight
of IL candidates were only good Union
men. IL so happened that on the State
ticket, IN lSb-. ana on many OF the county
tickets. IN order to encourage a class OF
men who were jealous Unionists but not
exemplary as temperance men, some were
nominated whose temperance records were
not spotless. No man in Indiana did more
&c reconcile the temperance voters of the
State 10 the situation than Mr.. Terrill as
ne travelled at large I'm the capacity OF
Bible agent. He would say: II am
temperance man and a Prohibitionist, but
i am an American. and the immediate
question before Us is a united or divided
Nation. Temperance and Prohibition can
bide their time. we must save the Union:
this Is no time for such issues" Copper
headisrn was too strong in Indiana TO sas'e
the State Republican ticket, but the wis
dom Of his policy developed two years
later.
AS / see IL. the election OF 1900 involves
greater issue than that of 1850. The
threats OF that campaign came from one
locality. with only here and there SYM
pathizers in the North. III Organism
ripens into anarchy IL viii find hold In
every town and hamlet IL is well, there
fore that as many good men have taken
the alarm and have determined to rebuke
A.. II seems to me that If Mr.. Bryans
speechmaking could continue a fortnight
longer his open ayowal OF purpose To pit
class against class would cure every man
Who has thought TO take day OF and toy
with side issue. U. l. SEE
Indianapolis, Oct. ..