The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-10-05
DANGER CALL.
Noted German Editor, 0ttendorfer, Sees
Peril in Bryan's Possible Election.

All summer long the Bryanites have
been hoping that Oswald Ottendorf,
editor of the New York Stats
Zeitung, would come out for Bryan,
but he declines to do so. Seen at his
summer home day or two years ago
be talked freely to press representative
and sounded the danger that would
came from Bryan's. election and of
Bryan's unftness for the presidency.
While he does not agree fully with Nc
Kinley and finds many things in his adj
ministration to criticise, he has no
time at all for Bryan. At his summer
home he said:
II have been here since last June.
Here we are away from the noise and
excitement of the city, and the place
is an ideal one for real rest. have
been away from meetings, speeches.
debates and other campaign features
by which some men are swayed and
influenced, but have had much time
to do my own thinking on the subject
of the presidential campaign, and my
first conclusion is that neither of the
two candidates inspires me with
much respect or admiration.
"The best idea as to Bryan may be
gained by reading his letter of accept
ance. That letter convinces me of the
fact that he has not one drop of Demo
cratic blood in his body, SO that as a
Democrat he ceases to exist. He is a
Populist pure and simple, with great
leaning toward the 16 to / idea as
ever, but he hides these issues under
the cry of Imperialism.
"What nonsense for him to be an
anti-imperialist champion in the light
of his own actions He sent the silver
plank to Kansas City, and insisted
on its adoption as part of the plat
form, compelled the Democratic party
to accept it, and by his action in that
matter assumed the part of dictator
For tryannical dictator to rant about
imperialism seems paradoxical at least
''Bryans actions in Washington,
while the treaty of peace was under
consideration showed that he had no
dignity and no understanding of
higher politics. He played the part
there of lobbyist and used his in
fuence with Democratic senator in
favor of the document. He said then
that the Philippines would be a good
stepping stone for south G hina. 1t is
only short time since then, but the
islands have become stepping stone
out of China for us.
"Then his talk about militarism is
equally unworthy of a man who as
pires to the place of president. He
took commission in the army, and
had no fear that he was setting a bad
example. He had no fear for the
safety of the country, because of mill
tary dictatorship
"All this talk about the military re-
minds me of an incident that took
place in the course of the civil war;
walked past recruiting station one
day, and saw an old friend in a brand
new uniform, with officers insignia
and decorations The man hadn't ever
been in the service, knew nothing
about military affairs, and 1 had my
doubts even as to his patriotism. So
asked him, why did you enlist2'
"'Ahl' said he, that's the only
thing to do. For the next fifty years
no man will amount to anything, no
man will have chance in politics I'M
less he has military record. Now
advise you, unless you want to be
crowded out and off, to go to the
governor and get commission.
"What that man said others thought,
but our great army melted away and
with it the dangers that alarmed the
men who were like my friend.
II believe that Mckinley will be
elected and that the state of New
York will cast it's EDITORIAL vote for
him. The danger of making the
state Democratic was great, but this I
think, has been averted by the fear
on the part of the people that Tam
many hall would gain control of the
state. That fear will make many votes
for the Republican candidates. Some
Gold Democrats may abstain from
voting, but only few will cast their
votes for Bryan.
both parties are below the stand
ard to inspire people with confidence,
and the best interests of the country
demand that a new party be formed,
and when it is formed those men who
now fight as leaders should not be
among the organizers -