Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-08-15
so ON. WILLIAM j. BRYAN, NJ


the general character of the contest, and
upon the question which is declared to
he Of paramount Importance in this cam
paign. Mr.. Bryan spoke substantially
as follows:
When l say that the contest of 1900
Is a contest between democracy on the
one hand and plutocracy on the other,
do not mean to say that all our oppon-
ents have deliberately chosen to give to
organized wealth II predominating inilu-
ence in the affairs Of the government, but
l do assert that on the important issues
of the day the Republican party is dom
mated by those Influences which con-
stantly tend to elevate pecuniary .consid-
erations and ignore human rights.
The Democratic party is not making
war upon the honest acquisition of
wealth; it has no desire to discourage in
trary, it gives to every citizen the great
est possible stimulus to honest toll, when
1t promises him protection in the enjoy
ment of the proceeds of his labor. Prop
erty rights are most secure when human
rights are respected. Democracy strives
for civilization in which every men,
Der of society will share according to his
merits.
Against us are arrayed comparatively
erful, number who really profit by Re
publican policies: but with them are as
ISOLATED large number who, because of
their attachment to their party name, are
giving their support to doctrines antag-
onistic to the former teachings of their
own party. Republicans who used to adj
yocate bimetallism, now try to convince
themselves that the gold standard is
good; Republicans who were formerly at
In hn Urn MI. .oo1,
ing an excuse for giving national banks
control of the nations paper money; Re-
publicans who used to boast that the Re
publican party was paying off the ma
tional debt, are now seeking for reasons
to support perpetual and increasing
debt; Republicans who formerly abb
horred a trust, now beguile themselves
with the delusion that there are good
trusts and bad trusts, while. in their
coming more and more obscure; Republi-
cans who, in times past, congratulated
the country upon the small expense of
our standing army, are now making light
of the objections which are urged against
large increase in the permanent mill
tary establishment; Republicans who
gloried in our independence when the ma
ton was less powerful, now look with
favor upon foreign alliance; Repub-
"forcible annexation" as an immoral and
even criminal, are now sure that it is
both immoral and criminal to oppose
forcible annexation. That partisanship
has already blinded many to present
dangers is certain; how large portion
of the Republican party can be drawn
over to the new policies remains to be
seen.
Abandon Early IDEAS.
In attempting to press economic Ques-
tons upon the country to the exclusion
of those which involve the very structure
of our government, the Republican lead
ers give new evidence of their abandon
ment of the earlier ideals of the party
and of their complete subserviency to
pecuniary considerations.
But they shall not be permitted to
eyade the stupendous and far-reaching
issue which they have deliberately
brought into the arena of politics. When
the President, supported by practically
unanimous vote of the House and SEN
ate, entered upon war with Spain for
the purpose of aiding the struggling pa.
triots of Cuba, the country, without re.
gard to party, applauded. Although the
Democrats recognized that the admins
tration would necessarily gain political
advantage from the conduct of war
which, in the very nature of the case,
must soon end in complete victory, they
WED with the Republicans in the support
which they gave to the President. When
the war was over and the Republican
leaders began to suggest the propriety of
colonial policy, opposition Mt once mani.
tested itself. When the President final
ly laid before the Senate treaty which
recognized the independence of Cuba, but
provided for the cession of the Philippine
Islands to the United States, the menace
of imperialism became so apparent that
many preferred TO reject the treaty and
risk the ills that might follow rather
than take the chance of correcting the
errors of the treaty by the independent
action of this country.
was among the number of those who
believed it better to ratify the treaty and
end the war, release the volunteers. re.
move the excuse for war expenditures,
and then give to the Filipinos the indie
pendcnce which might he forced from
Spain by new treaty. thought it safer
TO trust the American people to give in
dependence to the Eilipinos than to trust
the accomplishment of that purpose ia
diplomacy with an unfriendly nation.
The title of Spain being eNtinguishcd, we
were Mt liberty to deal with the Filipinos
according to American principles. The
Bacon resolution, introduced n month be.
fore hostilities broke out at Manila, prom.
ised independence to the liipinos on the
same terms that it was promised to the
CIbans. supported this resolution and
believe that its adoption prior 10 the
breaking out of hostilitics would have
prevented b!oodshed, and that its adop-
ton at any subsequent time would have
ended hostilities.
If the treaty had been rejected, consid.
cradle time would have necessarily
elapsed before new treaty could have
been agreed upon and ratified and dur
ing that time the question would have
Bacon resolution had been adopted BY
the Senate and carried out by the Presi-
dent, either at the time of the ratifca-
ton of the treaty or at any time after
wards. it would have taken the question
of imperialism out of politics and left the
American people free to deal with their
domestic problems. But the resolution
was defeated by the vote of the Repub-
lican Vice President, and from that time
fused to take any action whatever in the
matter.
Coward1y Evasion.
When hostilitics broke out at Manila
Republican speakers and Republican cd
those who had delayed the ratification OF
the treaty. and, during the progress of
the war. the same Republicans have nc.
cused the opponents OF Imperialism of
giving encouragement to the Eilipinos.
This is u cowardly evasion of retponsi.
bility.
If it is right for the United States ia
hold the Philippine Islands permanently
and initiate European empires in the gov
eminent of colonies, the Republican party
ought to state its position Ind defend it,
but 1T must expect the subject races to
protest against such n policy and to re-
sist to the extent of their ability. The
Filipinos do not need any encouragement
from Americans now living. Our whole
history has been an encouragement.
Those who would.have this nation enter
upon a career of empire must consider
not only the effect Of imperialism on the
Filipinos, but they must also calculate
its effect upon our own nation. We can
not repudiate the principle of self-govcrn-
ment in the Philippines without weaken
ing that principle here.
Even now we are beginning to see the
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