The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-08
THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
Governor Roosevelt Says IL Is Pros
perity and National Honor.


When the applause had subsided. Cow
ernor Roosevelt spoke as follows:
There are several great issues at stake
in this campaign, but, Of course, the great
est issue Of all is the issue OF keeping tne
country on the plane Of material well-be-
ing and honor TO which IL has been brought
during the last four years. do not claim
that President McKinleys admirable ao-
ministration and the wise legislation passed
by Congress which he sanctioned are solely
responsible for our present well-being. but
/ do claim that IL is this administration
and this legislation which have rendered II
possible for the American people TO achieve
such well-being. / insist Furthermore that
the one and only way 10 insure widespread
industrial and social ruin would be now TO
reverse the policy under which We have so
prospered and TO try that policy Of finan-
cial disgrace and economic disaster which
we rejected in 1896 Our opponents now ad-
vance the most extraordinary arguments
that have ever been advanced IN a presi-
Dental campaign by any party on behalf
of its presidential nominee. They have re-
affirmed specifically their entire 1896 plat
form, and vet they insist vigorously that
all they considered or most vital impor-
tance in 1896 shall now be delegated 10 a
subordinate place; and. most extraordinary
still, they actually ask that Mr.. Bryan and
a Democratic House be elected because the
Senate will remain Republican anyhow, SO
that the President and the House won't be
able 20 do much harm.
Think OF IL, gentlemen. This is the po-
opponents. and especially by the men who
know that Mr. Bryans financial policy IS
utterly ruinous, but who want 20 give
themselves some excuse for voting against
President Mckinley, because. forsooth.
President Mckinley has been too active in
upholding the honor OF the flag. Mr.. Bryan
himself is sufficiently strident when he
talks about those fgments Of disordered
brains uailitarism and imperialism: yet he
becomes mild as a dove when he whispers
his unchanged devotion TO free silver
Now IL is worth while remembering
that IL the question Of the unsettlement OF
our currency is raised in any campaign ft
must be one Of the paramount questions.
The other day. in accepting the Populistic
nomination. Mr.. Bryan was careful TO
point out how little he and they differed
i'm essentials on the greenback question
He is quite right Both are believers if,
fiat money-what- particular kind OF nat
money Is necessarily a minor detail IL
makes no difference whether free silver or
fiat money is championed as the first or
second issue, so long as 10 is championed
at all, save that TO subordinate IL as an
issue removes the least justification for
raising the issue at all. The one element
p2rity of great civilized nation Is sound
and stable currency. The only possible ex-
cuse for jeopardiziDg the prosperity OF the
whole Nation by attacking its system OF
currency is a conviction so intense that the
issue shall OF necessity be burning one
THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
eff our opponents do not regard the ST.
yer issue as a paramount issue. then they
have been guilty OF gross wrong 10 their
fellow-countrymen IN raising II at all A.
a matter OF fact IL is paramount. and the
attitude of the Populistic Democracy In
trying TO keep II out OF sight east OF the
Mississippi. while insisting on their ad-
herence TO II west OF the Aississippi. = In