The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-14
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS,
THE INDEPENDENT PRESS ON 3RY-
ANS SPEECH.

THE INDEPENDENT PRESS ON 3RY-
ANS SPEECH.
Richmond Dispatch.
The independent papers. upon an appeal
from the Opinions" of the Republican
organs, sustain the judgment of the DEM
ocratic press, that Mr.. Bryans speech
of acceptance is a powerful campaign
document that forces the paramount is
sue" squarely upon the Republicans, and
leaves them no way out of meeting it.
The New York Evening Post Qndepnd-
emf Repubican), although 1t serves no
tice that it will not support the Demo-
cratic ticket, remarks that it is but fair
to admit chat neither Senator Hoar nor
Carl Schurz, nor Ex-Governor Boutwell,,
nor all of them together, have produced
q more mastery indictment of imperial
ism than is to be found in the speech"
The Boston Herald, also Independent
Republican. after referring to 'the SOBER
ness, dignity, and statesmanlike quality
of the style of the Speech" says that the
"signifcance" of the deliverance TO the
Republican party sis that it is high time
for it's leaders to quit calling names and
get down to business. If they suppose"
continues the Herald, that it is in the
power of money, or party organization,
or artfully fostered prejudices, to sue
cessfully oppose the effect of such an
address on the minds of the intelligent
plain people, who constitute the over
whelming majority of the electorate of
the nation, they will make mistake"
The Herald, moreover, expresses the con-
viction that mark Hanna, with all the
millions he can command, and all the
INSCRIPTIONS machine bosses he holds in
leash, is not a match for man who can
talk to the American people as Bryan
does in this speech" and then having
quoted Mr.. Bryan's assurance as to what
he proposes to do, if elected, respecting
the Philippines, declares that 1.-The issue
is made up beyond possibility of misap-
prehension."
The Springfield (Mass.) Republican an
other Independent Republican journal,
saws that the speech must operate still
further to compel the universal recogni-
ton of imperialism as the overshadowing
issue of the Presidential election; that
it is "a noble speech, devoted to the SUI
preme question" and that the issue is
reduced by Mr. Bryan "to the lowest
terms to which it can be brought in
Presidential contest" Our Springfield
contemporary speaks of Mr. Bryan's per
sonal pledge" respecting the Philippines
as "a mastery stroke" and believes cit
is pledge of earnestness and purpose to
act"
Still another Independent Republican
paper, the Philadelphia Times, refers to
the speech as exceedingly able, clear,
coherent, and logical, and as earnest as
eloquent, and all the more forcible be-
cause it is confined closely to one sub
ject, which he takes as the significant
leading issue that typifies all the genera!
issues of the campaign. The speech,
adds the Times, has brought this funda-'
mental and ar-reaching issue so force
fully to the front and the march of events
seems to be making it so increasingly
important, that the ceremony at Indian
apolis may prove of great significance in
the campaign"
The Philadelphia Public Ledger, which
is of the same stripe as the Times, says
that ''the address of Mr.. Bryan was
earnest, forcible, and undoubtedly Sim
cere, and he made as clear presentation
as is possible of the Democratic attitude
upon the acquisition of alien territories"
The Philadelphia Record Independent
Democracy is convinced that 1.-The para
mount issue, raised by the policy of the
administration and the Republican ma
jority in Congress. has not been more
clearly defined, nor more forcibly pre-
scented. than in this speech. 1t is an
ISSUE" continues the Record, (which, as
Mr. Bryan declares, the Republican party
managers will not be permitted to evade
in this campaign by attempts to divert
the public mind by Boosting and self
congratulation."