The Yale expositor., 1900-10-12


the affairs OF the Philippine people prop
erly. / do not myself believe he can.
Mr.. Bryan's plea for the salvation OF
this country by the destruction OF what he
terms "imperialism," as exemplified in
the administration of our affairs in the
Philippines. loses its force when II is re
membered what he pledges himself 60
carry out at home, in matters which go 10
the personal and property interests of
every citizen of the republic, no matter
how small such interests may be. IL
would he the height OF folly in this cam
paign to forget the very important effect
which Mr. Bryan's election would have
upon the business interests of the couD-
try. In the minds of those who carry ON
the affairs which make up our business
world he is associated with uncertainty
and doubt. 1t will not do to say that
these interests are selfish and ought to re-
ceive a lesson, for the creates sufferers
will be those who are most dependent
upon the largest daily activity in bust
ness. No one would suffer so much as tho
laborer, for he must have steady work,
day in and day out lie has no reserve
capital from which 10 draw, and the cur
tailment OF business operations means
the curtailment OF employment Of labor,
with attendant distress am idleness.
Dangerous TO La bor Interests.
| look upon Mr.. Bryan as the most
dangerous man TO the labor interests to-
day in public life. In the first instance
he is a demagogue possessed OF a certain
quality Of oratOry which appeals always
TO prejudice. In the second, he is web
grounded in no branch of political econ
Omy and unsound in all. lie would DO
more unpopular with laboring men, il
elected, than, il is claimed, he is popular
with them now, because his success would
paralyZe business for a long time at least,
during which time the laborer of neces-
sty would be without employment.
Then, too, the laborer would soon dis
cover how utterly futile Mr.. Bryan's eff
forts would be to make better his condi-
ton by making war upon his employers
The laborer certainly cannot be benefited
by policy which is directed wholly to-
ward the unsettlng Of values, the reduc-
ton of the purchasing power of his wage
and the enactment into law of views
which, tested 10y experience and history,
are wholly unsound.
i believe President Mckinley ought TO
be reelected as largely as possible by
Democratic votes. Under the present
domination of Mr.. Bryan a conservative
Democrat can find no place OF influence
i'm the party. Those who now return TO
it after rejecting Organism four years
ago will find themselves without voice in
the administration. Theey go back to ac-
cept Mr.. Bryan's views. lie does not
accept theirs. They indorse him-he does
not indorse them; and, once elected, they
are not in position, after changing 'front.'
to protest against his radicalism. BY vOt-
ing for him they do, in fact, indorse him,
despite mental reservation that they do
not approve of his public utterances and.
POpulistic views. They dsarm them
selves of a right TO criticise and draw
down upon their heads more blame for.
Mr.. Bryan's unsound views as disturb
ing factor than does Mr.. Bryan himself
For by their act in voting for Mr.. Bryan
they have made it possible for him to do
the harm which they must know would
follow the carrying out Of the principles
for which he stands.
Bryan's Party Populistic.
The Democratic party cannot be both
Democratic and Populistic. Under Mr..
Bryan it is Populistic. 1t is so out OF
power. 1t would be more so in power
The best example of what he would do.
with the party If in power is shown in
his own State, where even the kiud of
Democrats they have in Nebraska are.
only allotted one or two minor Offices.
while the Populists are given all of inn
portance.
When Mr.. Bryan is eliminated Demo
Gratis can readily assume a position of re-
spect and influence in the Democratic
party, and until he is they ought to fight
against him. They can aid the party best
by resclIing it from Populism by defeat
ing Populistic candidates at the polls, not
by electing their candidates with the vain
hope that they can either reform them,
render them harmless, or prove them to
be pretehtious boosters, publicly standing
for things which they never intended to.
carry out.
As far as / am concerned, ! am going
to maintain my Democracy by voting and,
speaking against Mr.. Bryan and those
who have debauched the party and placed,
it in the attitude of a defender of all the
isms that disturb the country. / do not
believe in Organism in the West or Gro
kerism in the East. If continuation OF.
Organism and Crokerism constitute De,
mocracy, sound political wisdom and hon.
est administrative ability, | do not wish
to he of it. But l do not believe it does
and therefore, | have faith in there being
enough Democrats who are Democrats
from principle to defeat Mr.. Bryan so
emphatically as to make impossible the
things we have witnessed during the past
years in alleged Democratic conventions
| really would like TO know what A.
thoughtful Democrat thinks of reforms
wrought in domestic and foreign affairs
through the combined wisdom and expe-
rience of William J. Bryan and Richard
Croker. JAMES III. ECKELS.
Comptroller of the Currency under Cleve-
land.
Victory and Valor.