The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1900-09-07
BRYAN AND THE SOUTH DIS
AGREE ON TRADE.

Mr.. Bryan expects to have a solid
south with him in the coming conflict
of the voters, and there seems to be
general disposition here in the north
to concede that his expectation will be
realized. Yet we find the south strong
ly arrayed against the Democratic can
didate on what he has tried to make
the paramount issue of the campaign.
The south is for expansion-not such
expansion merely as shall lead to the
absorption Of Porto Rico, Hawaii and
the Philippine islands, but it demands
that we shall have a free footing in
China, even If we have to fight for 1t.
The Atlanta Constitution feels, to
quote from its editorial columns, that
the time has come to speak for the
people of the south, whom it so largely
represents, and for the welfare of the
whole country in whose honor 1t re-
joices." And what, as represented by
cur esteemed contemporary of Atlanta,
do the people of the south desire? Here
are some of the things the Constitu-
ton has to say on the subject:
China is a victim today in the
hands of the leading powers of the
world. Her 400,000,000 people are in
need OF cotton and of iron. Her wants
will give employment to the artisans
of the world for a century to come. 1t
has been estimated that, with the gates
OPEN China alone could consume 90
OO0OOO bales Of cotton annually-the
equivalent OF awo years production.
The question. then, is plain.
The Chinese government has fallen,
and if replaced It will be by the crca-
lures Of the allies whose forces are on
the field
Cur duty is to be on the ground
floor of Chinese opportunity, not
through English grace or German cour-
teay. but through our own inherent
right to be there.
I'VE must have absolutely free &C.
cess for cur goods and our commercial
rlan. who should be subjected to neither
entrance tariff nor to passport annoy
ance. either at the hands Of local or Of
protectorate authorities. No Russian
sentinel should halt the American on
tho way to his customer. No port fee
should be exacted by English or Ger
man custom house officer. No indem-
nifty should be collected by any one of
the powers which must be dependent
for its source upon American cotton,
either in the hands of the merchant or
upon the back of the wearer. No loop
hole. no device-Dut absolute and unre-
strained free trade.
This is question in which the cot
ton states of the union are vitality in
terested. 1t is the right Of these people
to raise all the cotton they can, and
to deal in the widest possible market
which can be made for them.
Cotton is king, and the United States
army should remain in Pekin to see
him duly crowned"
This we are told is the voice OF the !
south, the Democratic stronghold upon !
which Mr.. Bryan depends for three
fourths of the votes that will be neces-
sary to give him a chance in the cleo
ton. But what arc the Nebraska can
didate's views on the securing Of trade |
In the fer east?
Il would not put ono American citi- |
zen on the block and sell him for all |
the trade of the Orient IL had to buy |
it by his blood"
This sentiment was delivered by Mr..
Bryan tho other day at Manhattan, Kan.
Not even for the purpose of opening up /
new markets for the cotton raisers of /
the south would he have one American
soldier exposed to the dangers that |
necessarily exist where conflicts rage.
Not even for the purpose of securing a
market for 2O,0OO.OOO bales of cotton
annually would he have our troops re-
main for an hour in China after il Is
possible 60 withdraw them in safety.
How are Mr.. Bryan and the south GO
ing to get together on this trade propo-