The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-10-08

blunder To many people II seemed a
mere serious menace than the free silver
plank. But I'm the platform OF 1900 there
Is no reference whatever to the supreme
court, not a word has been uttered by
My. Bryan on the subject, and the re-
publicans are deprived OF TINS campaign
cry. Even republicans. I'm fact all fair-
minded Americans. should recognize with
qualification that this man. who. whether
elected or not is certain to receive about
half the vote of the entire nation for It's
highest office Is not only man OF rare
ability high talents, extraordinary ener-
gy and courage, but also has In the past
four years undergone a great modihcatoil
and growth In character-in moderation.
In dignity. in self-restraint and In con-
servatism.
Nor is this all. The platform upon
which Mr.. Bryan stands Is undoubtedly
much more moderate and conservative
than that of 1896. There is absolutely
nothing I'm IL that can be objected TO ex-
cent the financial and pension pianks'
And of these two the latter is perhaps
prac ,,callv the worse. The dead silver
plank is n sentimental expression only, d
mere epitaph on the gravestone OF a iosl
cause The pension plank points to some
,b,n,. really costly and lasting in the fu-
ture. IN,
That fair men. including those WIN
great and keen intellects. do recognize
the wide difference between the new Bry
an and the old is clearly proved by tne
large number of distinguished lluepchu.
ents who opposed the Bryan OF 1870, put
are supporting the Bryan Of 1900
Would men like Carl Schurz. Richard
olnev William Il. Wilson. Edward M.
Shcpard Everett Il. Wheeler, George ,.
boutwell,. Edward Atkinson, John H.
Henderson. Bourke Cochran and many
others who supported Mckinley ana OPP
posed Bryan four years ago nave chahsed
their position if they did not conscleh-
tiously believe that Bryan and Mchlh-
lev are really not the same candidates.
representing the same principles. as III
1886?
Venerable and lifelong republican
statesmen like George ). Boutwell,, over
eighty years old, ard Carl Schurz, sew
enty-two have nothing in the world to
gain by coming out for Mr.. Bryan now,
If they saw in him the same representa-
tive of dangerous political experiments
as four years ago. Such men cannot be
suspected of personal ambitions or UNI
worthy motives. They unquesuonably
have the good of the whole country at
heart. 1t is the highest tribute TO Mr.
BrVans development and Improvement
since his first candidacy that these men,
formerly so strenuouSly opposed 10 him,
have now come To his support in spite
OF the fact that they all radically dis
agree with his financial theories
They perceive. as candid and intelli-
gent men who retain their intellectual
int gritty and independence generally per-
CeiVc. that Imperialism is the one vital,
practical. pressing issue of this campaign.
and therefore Its paramount issue. And
they perceive that on that new issue the
relative position of the two candidates.
as thew stood on the old issues of 1896
IS exactly reversed Mr.. Bryan now
stands for the right. the just and con-
sentative policy. and Mr.. Mckinley for
the policy that is wrong. unjust. uncon-
stitutional. revolutionary ana dangerous.