The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-08-24
DODGING THE ISSUE.

cate that the Republicans are chatting I'M
der the restraint of their leaders, who
seek to avoid the issue of imperialism
and confine their efforts to re hashing the
silver question in the hope of making it
the piece de resistance of the campaign
menu.
Inquiries are daily made as to how long
the Republican leaders will undertake to
console themselves with the belief that the
American people are so blind as not to
accept paramount issue when it is given
to them. The true imperialist-he who
believes the flag must never come down,
no matter where or how it was planted
cannot admit the possibility that any
patriotic citizen can differ with him. To
them patriotism means territory grabbing
under any or all pretexts, and anyone
holding to the contrary must therefore
be unpatriotic.
Early in the spring Senator Hanna
warned the more optimistic of his
followers that there was more danger to
the Republican party from overconfdence
than from anything else, but up to date
the Republicans have been unable to shake
off their apathy, and most of them are
resting contented, as if the victory were
already won Serenely they reply to all
efforts to induce them to discuss the issue
of imperialism that there is no such issue
and that the real question is whether or
IL. 4 ! hall h1 pfoSr
ed.
Months ago they themselves settled the
silver issue against the best judgment of
more than one Republican leader looking
forward to political success in 1900. 1t
was carefully pointed out that the pas
sage of Financial bill which would sub
stantially place it beyond the power of
the opposition to change the standard
would deprive the party of its great issue
and leave the question of the Presidency
open to ALL The Gold Democrats in
Congress realized the truth of this state
ment and welcomed the opportunity to
cast their votes for bill which was de-
signed to lay the specter of free silver so
deep in the grave that not even the fran
tic endeavors of Hanna and his bench
men could ever resuscitate it long enough
to brighten the most gullible of American
voters. Bryan reaffirmed his devotion to
the dead issue at Kansas City but straight
way left its bier to meet the greater issues
of the day.
Confidence is expressed that Mr. Hanna
will soon recognize the force of the axiom
that parties do not make issues, but issues
make parties. Issues have always been
made by the opposition, or rather the op
position has been united and solicited by
| issues. This was case with slavery, the
| tariff, free silver, and will be the case
with imperialism. No Administration,
no party in power, has ever been able to
| select its battle ground,
The attitude of the Republican party
was likened last night to the Chinese
method of warfare.
"In the present campaign" said the
speaker, "as far as it has been developed,
the Republicans have been employing
Chinese tactics. They are going out to
fight armed with lanterns and masks,
carrying before them the hideous dragon
of free silver belching forth fire and
smoke and hoping to frighten the enemy
| But, however much the people of days
| gone by might have been frightened by
| specters, they are not Of that mood now
| The defense of the Administration is just
| as though the Chinese had attempted to
| defend Pekin by massing all their strengt
at the gate opposite the one which the
| allies were attacking. Instead of meet
| ing the Democrats face to face the Republic
cans are attempting to win by creeping
to the rear and raising a great hullabaloo
over the graves of the issues of 1885,
All the leaders, are, however, not mis-
led by the appearance of an easy victory.
Two months ago they would not admit
the possibility Of doubt of Republican
success; today they not only admit the
House will be very close, bnt that Bryan
is much stronger than he ever was before.
They take comfort from the fact that he
adopted the issue of imperialism late, and
hope there may not be time for it to
gather sufficient weight to overcome the
doubts of those who for four years have
been taught to regard him as the exponent
of anarchy. 1t is unfortunate for them
that one of the very things which was
counted on as being of great assistance
to the Administration now promises to
have the directly opposite effect. AS
pointed out in the Sun" when Mr.. Hay
made his famous pronunciamento that the
United States was not after Chinese terri
tory, the United States may be compelled
to take slice for indemnity. China has
no money, and, of course, no one expects
her to go free without heavy payment for
the indignities inflicted on American citi-
zens and diplomats and the expense to
which our Government has been put. The
administration, therefore, will have to eX-
crt its diplomacy to the utmost to at one
and the same time obtain satisfaction and
give no additional impetus to the anti i'm
perialistic movement.
| With Hawaii, the Philippines and a
choice bit of China, why not q protecto-
rate over what remains of the South
African Republic, and even the admission
of Switzerland to the Union, as proposed
by Swiss newspaper some time ago ?
Great as the Republic is, it is not, in the
opinion of its masters, great enough to
acknowledge a wrong or undo one. The
great difference between the attitude of
the Administration toward the Philippine
question and that of the Democratic party
is that the latter, as set forth by MIR. Bryan
believes the war can be ended speedily by
the announcement of our purpose to grant
the Filipinos ultimate independence,
while the Administration has no policy
whatever, but is, Micaw Der like, waiting
| for something to turn up.
| t., Ia,