The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-15
(Atlanta .JOufnal.)

(Atlanta JOurnal.)
Rochester. \. y. March 25.-In the
midst of much that justifies pessimism
in forescast it is as refreshing as a
west wind-this protest of the whole
country against the treatment of Por-
to Rico.
] have never seen anything to equal
the scope of the protest or the extent
of the revolution it has wrought in
pubIic/sentiment.
For these four years gone, and up
to six weeks ago, to mention the name
OF Mr.. Mckinley in a public audience
in the Northern or Middle States was
to create a whrlwind. Now it means
slence-ab absolute silence everywhere
broken only by the lonesome CHATTER
Of some blind and expectant partisan
who sees nothing but the office he
hopes to get.
From proud and happy position as
a popular idol the President has fallen,
for time at least, into desuetude and
Gistrust Bryan has risen as high as
his rival has fallen deep. and dis
counts the President in the favor OF
every popular audience that ] have
When the State of Iowa. which, in
the memory of living men, has never
been anything but radically Republi-
can and has for seven years followed
the fortunes of Mckinley with devo-
ton that was almost blind and ser
vie-when Iowa boldly rises up in
the might of strong conviction and
expresses. through her legislature,
free trade resolution that contains
an almost passionate rebuke to the
Porto Rican iniquity of its party. it is
indeed matter of amazement and
alarm.
But when a conference of northern
Methodist ministers-the most fanatl-
cal partsans that the President has in
the country-hOlding session in the
State of Pennsylvania, with its 100000
Republican ma ority, deliberately and
repeatedly Kisses the name of Nc
Kinley. it is time to look for the fail
ing Of the stars or the collapse of the
Republican party
IT may be that 1.-The gods do not de-
sign to destroy" the Republican party
but they have certainly completed the
preliminary of making it mad
With the single exception of three
colossal trusts. the whole green cOun-
try. from Colorado to Maine, is up in
arms against this Porto Rican infa-
my Men who have been life long
friends of the President, like Kohlsatt,
of Chicago. and score of others in
journalism and public life, have open
~ protested against the recent action
Senator Beveridge of Indiana.
Young, eloquent. untrammelled and
honest. has been. with difficulty,
persuaded from making an impassion-
ed speech in favor of justice TO the
little island | wish with all my
heart he had been let alone. He had
here the opportunity which Garfield
had in the National convention which
made him President, and a ringing
protest from a young Republican
against the drift of his party to serf-
dom TO the trusts would have thrilled
the country and made the speaker inn
mortal.
One of the most significant straws
in the whirling tempest is the ease
and grace with which the Democrats
here in northern and western New
York have reversed long-standing ma
iorites in municipal and county cleo
tions and swept the field clear for No
vember.
All this is simply glorious to me
this evidence of sentiment that is
higher than party and better than
partisanship-the inherent love of the
people for what is right and just and
honest and humane.
/ think the hope of the country
rests in just such Il spirit as has NOV
ed this Instruction. ! believe in par
ties just as / believe in churches. 1t
is impossible TO carry principles for
ward without organization and CO.
operation, but somehow [ always
thank God when | see. in crisis of
national honor or national danger.
men by the thousands rising up TO de
clare that truth towers mountain
high above all parties, and that, by
comparison, parties are nothing and
our country and right-everything.