The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-24
MIR. BRYAN,s TOPEKA SPEECH.

NH. BR1 ANS TOPEAA SPEECH.
Mr.. Bryans Topeka speech was await
ed with almost as much interest as was
his Ind annapolis speech, because it was
| thought il would be a rather difficult
matter TO respond satisfactorily 70 the
no ihcation that he had bfen nominated
by the Populists for President 1t mus,
! be admitted that he acquitted himself
with great credit. The speech. however,
/ will not make as profound an impression
! on the country as the Indianapolis
| speech did because in the latter speech
| tive subject of imperialism, which is the
paramount issue in the campaign. was
dealt with exhaustivelv. Besides, Mr.
Bryan doubtless felt that there were Pop
ulists who were not altogether satisfied
with the withdrawal of Mr.. Towne from
the Popullst ticket as candidate for
Vice President and were looking out for
an excuse to desert The POpulist National
! party and join the Mildle-of-the- Road
Fopulists. 1t will be agreed by hose who
give the speech careful reading that it is
an admirable production. Mr.. Bryan gave
considerable attention TO the money ques-
lion, but not enough 10 justify an asser-
ton that he considers the silver question
as important as that of imperialism.
The most of his speech was devoted to
| imperialism. He pointed out to the far
mers how milrarism. which Is a part Of
Imperialism, would increase their burd ms
without giving them anything in return.
He was particularly happy in the state
ment that every step of this country in
the direction of imperialism meets with
hearty approval from European govern
mens Those governments do not like
republics, because they are a menace to
prosperity and happiness which the peo-
pie of republic enjoy keep the peoples
of monarchies in perpetual state of I'M
rest.
Mr., Bryan handled the prosperity argu-
ment of the Republicans very adroitly.
That argument is that the prosperity
which the country has been having for
the last three years is due to Republican
policies and the Republican administra-
ticn, and that, therefore. the Republican
party ought to be retained in control of
the government Mr.. Bryan showed why
the country has been prosperous for three
years or more, and made it very clear
that the Republican party is not entitled
10 credit for the prosperity Moreover, he
pointed out that prosperity is already on
the wane although that party has the
President and a majority in both houses
| of Congress. If the Republican party
! brought prosperity why does it not re-
tain It? Why are factories closing and
| business languishing?
Mr.. Bryan made some strong points in
| respect to trusts and the tariff. Many of
the trusts depend upon the tariff for the
enormous profits they enjoy-a tariff from
which the farmers get 10 benefit what
ever The farmer has to pay whatever
prices the trusts demand for their goods
while the prices of their products are
fixed in foreign markets
The speech was an adroit enc and will
help the cause of Democracy. MIR. Bry-
an is the prince of campaigners. There
is no danger of his making blunders cal
cuated to injure his party. In this he diff
fers from Gov. Roosevelt widely Mr..
! Croker said the other day that the more
| speeches Gov. Roosevelt made the better
the chances OF the Democratic party would
be. Some recent developments, if reports
are correct have led the President and
Senator Hanna to take the same view.