The Atlanta constitution., 1900-09-03

We print elsewhere q letter from
Judge John J. Hunt. In reference TO
questions entering into the presiden-
tial campaign, which seems worthy OF
some attention
Judge Hunt minimizes what Is
known as the paramount issue in the
Kansas City platform in the attempt
to make il personal to Mr.. Bryan.
while the fact is that that issue Is the
very one which no man-not even Mr.
Bryan-could have opposed with the
hope OF gaining the ear of the peoples
representatives present
IL is true that for four years there
has been no other candidate possible
for the democracy. for the very good
reason that no other man so voiced
their wishes.
Therefore the attack of Judge Hunt
becomes an attack upon the democrat
&c party. whose agent and representa-
tive Mr.. Bryan is. Any attempt TO be-
little the representatives, OF nearly
100000 American voters as the mere
wOrshipers OF a fetch. Is only 10 make
an argument against the capacity OF
our people for self-gOveTnment Judge
Hunt. therefore. will not be able TO
make anything out of this phase OF
his argument. for the Kansas City con-
ventiOn vas the organ OF the democ-
racy OF the whole union. and the nom
fnatiOn OF Mr. Bryan was its solemn
and deliberate act. coming TO him be-
cause he was the man for the occasion.
Turning aside from this personal
phase to the direct issue which seems
to aggrieve Judge Hunt we are at
loss to divine his definite purpose The
closest analysis which can be made OF
his views is that people At home and
abroad should trust 10 the honor OF
the American people. taking the hap
hazard views OF a president who does
not remember his plain duty for six
weeks at a time as being that voice.
This is a turn which must be delicate
IL met. for the man who plants him
self uuon his honor" is generally in
tolerant OF argument. The stranger be-
meath our heel dare not take il up. for
II might deprive him OF hearing. but
the children of the household Will in
sist upon the liberty of discussion.
Judge Hunt is old enough 20 remem-
ber when the state of Georgia. tOgeth-
er with certain other states. was un-
Of the American people. He saw state
treasures robbed popular rights set
aside an inferior race lifted TO rule its
former masters. He saw. right here in
Atlanta, armed men take possession OF
the state capitol. a stranger and a
usurper take the speakers chair. and
the legislature Of his native state
forced at the bayonets point TO vote
f1r amendments to the federal consu-
tuition TO which il was opposed.
Where was the honor" which was
10 he trusted then?
TIad il not been for the federal SUI
rrsne court, which stood as barrier
acainst the controlling power of that
jar. and the heroic efforts of our own
ueoul. in their own cause, the south
cru states would today be like the
most degraded sections OF Africa No.
Judge Hunt. we can trust nothing TO
iutreuched power. That people which
would not respect those of their own
race. as IS shown in the annals OF re-
construction. cannot he trusted to take
hold ~ those who lack IN the energy
tn protect their own rights. and espe-
ClaIIv when. to get rid OF possibly
honest supreme court. the party In
power declares itself to be above the
CO. titutiOu
In quoting the views OF Senator
Join T. Morgan. Judge Hunt is again
unfortunate II il was the voice of the
aseS Alabama senator which was to
t-sat vtih alien peoples brought under
our soutroI. il could be trusted. but IL
T. no. Not 4 man I'm power on the re-
V1hiCen side has so declared himself.
Pressd ntlai messages even have not
been s1he-ed 20. There was a time
when the acquisition Of new territory
did not create the alarm which exists
nor.
N THAT TIME THE CONSTITU-
TON FORMED THE GOVERNMENT
AND The PRESIDENT AND HIS
CABINET WE'RE ITS CREATIONS.
New territory was secured. and the
resident knew at once that IL was the
constitution which was extended over
him There was no question OF that
right. These residents moved at once
in the formation Os territorial govern
ment. while their local governments
never suffered hitch. Now all this is
changed
THE LAST CONGRESS-. WITH
president Mckinley AT ITS
HEAD IN THE CASE OF PORTO
RICO HAS DECLARED THAT 1T
HAS POWERS ABOVE AND OUT
SIDE OF THE CONSTITUTION.
The government now consists of a
president who Is not bound by consti-
tutional limitations. This forms the
essence OF the issue in the present
campaign-xhe;her the president is
above. or subject 10. the constitution.
The republican method of holding Por-
TO Rico and the Philippines as mere
vassal possessions Is but the occasion
which is TO mark the parting of the
ways-between the republic OF the IA
thers and the empire Of the syndicated
trusts Under the od and democratic
rule. the presence OF United States
army I'm the Philippines could mean
but one Of two thlngs-either annexa-
tion under the constitution. and or
ganization into states. IL feasible. or
aid in the establishnent OF new and
friendly republic. under the best terms
possible. Mr.. Bryan opposes the satrap
In the Philippines. but does not oppose
the development OF traditional Amer
lean governmental priusiples. In this