The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-10
Circulation Statement.
MIR. McKinley's Letter of Acceptance

Daily average &Sund1y- ls'7io, eACeP'Oul--
Mr. MckinIey's Letter OF Acceptance
The letter in which the Hon. william
Mckinley formally accepts the Repuc-
lican nomination for the Presidency is
out at last, and. in whole or in part, Is
this morning printed in all of the leading
journals of the country. Considering its
ostensible purpose, it would strike any
body who might be willing to wade
through its tedious and we are sorry to
say. platitudinous length, as the strang-
est document of the kind ever pennsd
In its original form it would occupy
twelve or more newspaper columns, a
fact which would seem to justify the
suspicion that its author deliberately
made it of such proportions with view
to its being not read by anybody. From
the time of his advent to the White
House Mr. Mckinley has increasingly
and unsparingly developed the habit OF
burying in words what he desires to say
10 the country The present is his
GROWING, as it is perhaps, his last,
mistake of the kind; unless it should
happen to occur 10 him next spring that
farewell address in imitation of Wash
ington. might read we'll in political his
tory.
We think we have done the President
candidate distinct and valuable service
in presenting his Letter of Acceptance
in our columns in form which, as it
eliminates the fifty per cent of irrelevant
or inconsequential matter in the produc
haa
will give it a chance to be read by few
at least of his feliow-citizens. If other
exponents of the press are not equally
considerable. there is reason 10 fear that
its contents viii never become popularity
Known.
As the Letter would appear in full. it
is in text and tone singularly like what
We might imagine biennial report from
the circUmlocution Office 10 a hostile
parliament would be. On the great is
sues OF the day. especially those which
have been created by offences of the Ad-
lainistration against patriotism. liberty.
and the Constitution of the United
states. its language is shifty and e.asive,
except in the single instance of the
Philippine question. as TO which there is
q little show Of vigorous defence. But
several of the vital matters. in respect
CT which tae Candidate and the Hasl4
regime are on trial at the bar of the
people, are not referred tc-a comics
sion of fear to touch upon then which
we had not expected from even Mr. Nc
Kinley. The essay speaks for itself, and
We shall not more than briefly review
The distinguished Candidate assures Sen
ator Lodge, whom he addresses officially
as chairman OF the nominating conYen-
ton, that he has carefully examined the
platform upon which he is asked to stand.
He finds that upon the great issue Of the
last national election it is clear" that
lit upholds the gold standard and en-
dorses the legislation Of The present Cen
gress, by which that standard has been
effectively strengthened" Then. he adds:
The stability Of our national currency is.
therefore, secure so long as those who
adhere to this platform are kept in con
troll Of the Government" In an interview
printed in the New York Journal of Com
merce," on July 16. 1900. Nr. Lyman J.
Gage declared that the stability of our
national currency" vas unassailabIy Sc
cure whether friends or enemies Of the
gold standard were in power. Mr. McKin-
ley says that in the first battle, that Of
1885, the advocates Of the single stan
dard were triumphant: Our antagonists.
however, arc not content They compel US
TO a second battle upon the same lines
upon which the first vas fought and won
While regretting the reopening Of this
question We accept the issue
The gold standard was triumphant in
1896. solely because its friends in general,
and SIR. Mckinley In particular. succeed
ed in deluding large numbers Of voters
into the belief that he and his following
we're blmctallists. As an out and out gold
standard candidate. Mr.. Mckinley knows
that he could not have been elected. He
IS not sincere in saying that battle is Of
fered in 1890 on the same lines on which
that Of 1896 was fought. He would wish to
have it so, but cannot. Nothing he could
ray or do will change the issues of this
campaign from those Of Imperialism, the
trusts. and his own violations OF the Con-
stitutlon.
I'm the unfortunate contest between
Great Britain and the Boer States OF South
Africa says Mr. Mckinley, "the United
States has maintained an attitude OF neu-
trality. in accordance with its well-known
traditional policy" but. 'ft~did not hesi-
tate. when requested by the South African
Republics TO exercise its good Offices fol
cessation Of hostlllties." We must con,
Tess TO littie surprise that. on political
occasion like the one under review. the
President OF the United States should hav.
missed the opportunity to call attention TO
euch R momentous thing in the history OF
government By the people, as the total ex.
tinction of the South African Republic and
the Orange Free State, and their annexa-
sion by Great Britain, in the reduced con-
dition OF Crown Colonies. One would think
chat. in referring to his alleged inclina-
ZION to say good word for them during
their heroic struggle he might have added
n sentence or two Of sympathy for them in
the loss Of their flags, countries, and lib
critics.
It Is very evident that the Republican
candidate has made strenuous effort to
thoroughly insuiate himself before at
lacking the interoceanic canal question.
He is careful not TO commit himself to
any particular canal. but is declarative in
favor of ore Of some sort. He says: "our