The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-16
Circulation Statement.
The Liberty Congress.

The Liberty Congress.
The gatherings of anti-imp rialists at In
dianapolis comprise many men OF many
minds" All are against the Republican
ticket. A very large element favor the IN
qualified support of Bryan, another eleme 1t
are in favor OF endorsing no candidate. but
prefer the adoption Of strong resolutions
condemning the Administrations military
and imperial policy and adjournment With
out further action. Still another faction
are opposed TO both Mckinley and Bryan.
and advocate the nomination of what has
been called third ticket but which in
reality would be about tsnth or twelfth.
Whatever action is taken there can be no
doubt that the great body Of the men as
sembled in indianapolis on this occasion
will make their most strenuous exsrtions
to secure the defeat Of the Administration
and reversal of its impsrialstic poll y
This assemblage at indianapolis is chiefly
important as emphasizing the revolt
against the present Adminisuat on by those
who contributed to its creation. Indeed. it
seems to us TO matter but little what fo:m
the opposition takes-whether one or the
other of the three courses mentioned. II
Bryan is formally endorsed it is doubtful if
this action viii be mere effective than tie
individual efforts of the gentlemen present.
who favor his election. II will bird no enc
morally or otherwise who does rot sc fit
TO shape his course in acco;dar wi h such
recommendation. 1t viii be chiefly valu.-
BILE as ar index of the sentiment of tle
learned and distinguished men WHO have
gone so far and taken such pains 10 protest
against the present tendeEc. es of our Coz
ernment If a new ticket is paced in tie
field no one will be HlIsied into thinking
that any material effect can b. accom-
piished BY such action. Such 2 moyemc mt
VIII be even less important than the Io1i-
ration of Palmer and Buokner in 1896.
The present assembly at INDIANAPOLIS is
called to protest against the tendency
10 an imperial and colonial system which
the Administration seems bent On estab-
fishing in connection with the other func-
tiers O. our Government 1t does net
meet 10 consider the currency issue, nor
TO consider whether injunctions are CT
are rot 100 freely issued by the United
States courts 10 the prejudice OF labor
organizations These questions were
forced to the trent By conditions existing
in 1896. Then they we're of absorbing in
terest. Now they are net considered by
the average voter. Independent voters
who wish TO exert a positive influence
against the Administrations policy will
both by precept and example manifest
that opposition They VIII vote for the
candidate who Dersonihes that opposition,
and who at the same time has a chance
to succeed. The merely theoretical pro-
testant against Imperialism who votes not
to accomplish results but simply for per-
sonal satisfaction may find some eonsola-
ton in having little Independent party
with a ticket which he can support. but
this class of voters will be of no signi-
hcance in this campaign
The present is practical generation of
voters. They are not prone to throw their
votes away. II they are equally opposed
to the two really eontending Presidential
candidates they will not trouble them
selves with the empty form of casting
an idle ballot but will remain at home
on election day. The visionary scheme
OF establishing new party as a nucleus
for a larger demonstration four years
hence will prove an Illusion We have
seen too many such nuclei scattered into
the thtnnest nebulae. No one can pre-
Diet now what shall be the issue of up
permost Importance four years hence
General Collins. of Massachusetts. has
declared that the only remedy for exist
ing political and industrial evils is to
vote the straight Democratic ticket; on
which summary the Boston Post makes
this comment:
Either Bryan or Mckinley wili be the next
Preside Mt General Collins goes :, to point ou,
and while the anieal voter will not get all he
wants By the election u either, he will get all
that i practicable The election OF Bryan VIII
mean the prompt arrest Of our progress from a
Republic u an empire, and viii cheek the growth
Of industrial monopoly The election Of Mckinley
viii mean the conli-rance Of the policy Of con
quest and rule ever alien copies that want in
dependence, and the fostering Of gigantic trusts.
Whatever. therefore. the method Of reg
is;erins the protes. against the Admins
traitors policy. the indianapolis manifesto
viii be chiefly significant as indicating the
revolution on the part OF leading support
ers OF the Republican ticket ia 1886 against
the present designs Of that organization. In
view Of the ability and prominence of the
gentlemen participating in this movement
ana OF the determination displayed in their
proceedings their efforts will necessarily
b OF far-reaching influence in the present
campaign and viii inspire renewed conf
dence and courage in the supporters OF