The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1900-09-06
Mr.. Bryan at Topeka.


populist nomination for the presidency
to recede from or qualify in any way
the ground taken by him in his speech
of acceptance of the democratic nomi-
nation in favor of making Imperialism
and militarism the paramount issues of
the campaign, as they constitute today
the greatest danger to the permOnency
of our republican institutions and the
cause of popular liberty. If anpthing
his words at Topeka are stronger, if
possible, upon that point than what he
said at indianapolis. After passing in
review the political situation and the
issues which brought democrats and
populists together in '9G, he proceeded
to say: 81 have called attention to the
issues which brought the democrats
and populist together during the last
four years, Let me now invite your
attention to new questions which would
justify cooperation at this time, even
though we differed upon all economic
questions.
"The failure of the republican party
to secure international bimetallism and
its open espousal of the gold standard
still keep the money question in poll
tics, but no economic question can
compare in Importance with question
which concerns the principle and struc-
ture of government. Systems of taxa
ton can be changed with less difficulty
than financial systems, and financial
systems can be altered with less danger
and less disturbance to the country
than the vital doctrines upon which
free government rests In the carly
sixties, when we were engaged in a
contest which was to determine wheth-
er we should have one republic or two,
questions Of finance were lost sight of.
Silver was at a premium over gold and
silver were at premium over green
backs aud bank notes, but the people
could not afford to divide over the mon
ey question in the presence of greater
issue. And so today we are engaged in
a controversy which will determine
whether we are to have republic in
which the government derives its just
powers from the consent of the govern
ed, or an empire in which brute force
is the only recognized source of power
In O government where the people rule
every wrong can be righted and every
evil remedied but when once the doc
trine of self-government is impaired
and might is substituted for right there
is no certainty that any question will
be settled correctly"
1t is impossible for any man to state
in clearer words than these the para
mount importance of the issues in the
present campaign ovor not merely the
silver question, but all and any econom
ie question or questions of financial
policy. 1t is not that these latter al e
unimportant, or that theo are not init
mately connected with the well-being
and prosperity of the country, and still
less than Mr.. Bryan himself does not
hold decided opinions upon all those
questions, but, as he himself says,
''the people can not afford to divide oven
the money question in the preseuce OF
greater issue" Breath expended in
their discussion now is breath wasted.
First let us make sure and fast the
foundation of our liberties, Of the gov
ernment under which we hope to live.
Until that is done "there is no certainty
that any question will be settled cor
rectly."
The day before he spoke at Topekf
Mr.. Bryan delivered several speeches
in the First con- grassional district o.
Nebraska, the dist let which he form
erly represented in congress, in which
he discussed the subject of imperialism
and, according to the New York Eve
ming Post, which does not like Mr.
Bryan, and says it can not support hin
any more than it can support Mr.. Nc
Kinley, ''laid down some sound an(
true doctrine concerning imperialism
| in general and its results in the Philip
pines IN particular. imperialism, b,
declared" says the Post, "is the doc
trine of the bully and the coward. TIL,
spirit that carried us into the Philip
pines will lead us swherever we can fine
a people weak enough to be conquered
This bold aud aggressive attl
tude," continues the Post, twill b.
likely to win over many doubtful vote
to Mr.. Bryans support. 1t appeals t.
the sentiments of justice and generosi
ty in mankind. and such sentiment
are very powerful political forces whel
they Gan be aroused. To meet thes
aspects the republicans are miserabl,
equipped, So far as justice is concern
Fed, all they can plead is that we pal,
| Spain 100000, 900 for her title to til
Philippines at the end of war wage
on the ground that her colonial govern
ment was so bad as to annual her It'll
to Cubal On the score OF generosit
the best that the republicans can say
that our government has killed a larg
number of Filipinos in order TO impal
civilization to the rest"
1t is clear, according to the admissio
of this not too friendly critic, that MI
Bryan is getting everywhere the best {