The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-02


with strict regard for truth that the oracles
OF Democracy would not now. In the light
o. time and experience. make a platform
against the abolition OF slavery, against
the prosecution OF the civil war by Presi-
dent Lincoln. against emancipation OF u
race OF people. against reconstruction,
against resumption of specie payments,
against system OF tariff that inSures in
dustrial anu commercial prosperity. nor. in
short. against any or the prominent issues
OF the pas. which have been vigorously
contended for ,tEd made effective through
the steadfast and patriotic efforts OF the
Republican party. provided those issues
were to b. met again. IL has cost a wealth
o. blood and treasure TO bring about the
happy and prosperous conditions which
exist in this reunited country to-day but
the Democratic party. as now organized.
can claim no share OF the honor or credit
for these results. It's adherents participate
In the benefits that have accrued TO all OF
which they are cordially welcome. but their
good fortune may be clearly ascribed To
the patient endurance. intelligent foresight
and patriotic impulses of those who have
shaped the policies cf the Republican party
and its loyal supporters.
THE rooster as an emblem of Democ-
~acy, IS significant in limited degree when
Il Is considered as a weather cOck-chang-
ing its position to catch every passing
breeze that blows. first pointing this way
and then that, but never quite certain Of
its bearings. nor at all assured of what Is
going TO happen next 1t requires little
paramount issue of the presidential cam
paiGn of 1896. After four years of Popo-
cratic idi0syncracies and free-trade vaga-
ries. covering period made memorable by
industrial stagnation and commercial paral-
ySis, by idle factories and idle, hungry
wOrkmen. IL was the consensus of opinion
before the opening of that campaign that
the self-convicted party then in power
would not have the hardihOOd TO seriously
enter the contest with any hope of success.
Then the willy leaders bethought them
aIr Of oar mo xnc had
trified with the free-trade heresy and had
brought unspeakable disaster to the coun-
try. They conceived the idea that the free
coinage Of silver bullion at the rate of Is to
] would prove a seductive argument. and
thereupon ensued one of the most notable
contests in the history of the Republic.
The reckless element represented In the
Chicago convention discovered new tin
god IN the person OF William Jennings
Bryan. and he became the leader of their
1amentations-the prize prophet of evil. 1t
IS easy TO recall his predictions of the
awful things that would surely follow the
election of Major Mckinley and a, Repub-
Gcan Congress. Viewing the future through
his particular trand OF political Spectacles,
he saw impending disaster in more menac-
ing shapes than was ever dreamed of in
H0ratiO's philosophy or limited at by the
boeie man. He swung around the circle
like a wandering meteor. and wherever he
went he left behind a tale of grewsome woe.
His speeches, then as now, for the most
part were made up of frantic appeals to
not To reason. Nothing short OF starvation.
slavery and want awaited the laboring
classes, according to Mr.. Bryan. In brief,
unless the minis OF the United States were
OF silver at the ratio of is to 1, business,
manufacturing. farming and everything
else would go TO the dogs. That was the
conclusion of the prophet of the Platte,
and he was so mellifuOus and eloquent of
speech that ne succeeded in creating the
Impression in some quarters that he was
oil -xsffoa nd fncr ma 10
particularly severe in his denunciation of
the currency reform measure advocated by
the Republicans, and he pictured despised
gold barons' and all other opponents OF
the free-silver fad in manner we'll cal
culated 10 cause strong men to tremble and
scare children into conniption fits.
FALSE PROPHETS IMPALED.
Now. abbreviating long story. Major
Mckinley was elected. Republican Con-
gress was chosen and the principles of the
Republican party were again triumphant.
All this is a mere recital of history, but it
is well that we should recur even to history
occasionally. Lest we forget, lest we for
get
.Hayinss reviewed the conditions that ex-
listed in the campaign of 1896 and the atti-
tude assumed by the two principal po-
litical parties then contsnding for control of
the national government is there any sane
man prepared to assert that Mr. Bryan 5
doleful predictio1s have been verified In
any degree or in any particular? On the
contrary, Is II not true that his every
prophecy has had set upon IL the seal of
condemnation? Instead of an era of de-
preston and oppression. such as he and his
cohorts so freely and vociferously predict
ed, the administration of President Nc
kinley has been characterized by nearly
four years of unprecedented prosperity. All
classes and conditions of men have shared
In this blessed benefcence. Business men.
manufacturers, mechanics, farmers, profess
sional men, laborers have been mutually
benefited in consequence of the renewed
confidence that Immediately followed the
retirement of a Democratic administration
TO give way to the restoration of Republican
principles and Republican genius. The truth
OF these statements is so self-evident that no
man will undertake TO invent an argument
TO the contrary without a certainty OF sub
5ecting himself TO ridicule.
What has become of the 16-to-1 coinags
proposition that was to be the salvation
OF mankind? The leaders of the Bryan
Democracy in the campaign of 1896 sue
ceeded in inducing a great many we'll
meaning men to pin their faith to that
doctrine, and now these selfsame leaders
controlling the party machinery in Indiana
have been industriously endeavoring tC
Gratis by sidetracking free coinage and in
venting new issues, with which they hope
10 again fool the people who are foolish
enough 10 permit themselves to be made
the plant tools of mere political adven-
turers who are strangers to principle, AMI
who have but a blunted sense of either
public or private responsibility. BY theil
fruits ye shall know them IS the essence
OF a pertinent truth that can be applied
10 the vacillating leaders of Democracy
with assurance that the result will be &c
convict them Of perfidy and lack of that
earnestness of purpose which is essential
to the UNFOLDING or wholesome traditions
and the perpetuity OF our institutions Our
martyred and immortal Lincoln gave ut
terance to an imperishable maxim when