The sun., 1901-06-16
The Issue for 1904.


Mr.. BRkcxrNRIpoR. formerly . Demo-
cratic Congressman from Kentucky. sus'
Rests an issue for his party in 1904. IL being
impossible to win without holding the
Bryan or regular Democrats and at the
same time bringing back the revolters OF
1903 and 1900. he would have brand-new
issue which bears no relation to the cur
rency question or any other which has
been productive Of Democratic discoTd.
This issue. he thinks, should concern
our relations with our new possessions,
on the sensible assumption that these VIII
be retained as matter OF course and that
OF certainty the principles promul-
gated by the Supreme Court in the late
opinions will be accepted by the people.
Undoubtedly, Mr.. BREcKINRIDoE pro-
poses a step ahead for the Democratic
party which would keep 1t in pace with
the progress OF enlightened public sentl-
ment and rescue it from futile struggle
10 keep alive dead and buried issues. But,
80 far as we have seen. he does not define
the issue he proposes TO make. II there
is to be a contest over our relations with
our new possessions" 1t must be over
sonething more than n mere pretext for diff
ference trumped up in order TO pick
quarrel. 1t must be a principle regarding
which there is a natural and radical division
between the two parties: that Is actually
in broad public sentiment.
At present. no such issue has crystallized,
and none appears to be in process Of crystal
lzation. Nor Is there now any more indi-
cation Of unity and homogeneity in the
Democratic party concerning the question
raised by Nr. BREcKINRIDGE than there
was over the issue Of 10 to raised by Mr..
BRYAN in 1898 and 1900. The stronghold
of the Democracy at this time is the South
ern States. but II is manifest that in them
a large part Of the most intelligent and
enterprising Democrats are practically in
accord with the Mckinley Administration
as to the policy to he pursued toward our
new possessions. The South Ia eager for
the progress which will come to 1t from
the extension and development Of our
Oriental commerce, and obviously. BRYAN's
issue Of the consent OF the governed
cannot appeal consistently or in any way
reasonably TO States which have united
In DISTINGUISHING their own negro citizens.
Moreover, the new manufacturing devel-
opment Of the South has created there
notable sympathy with the old Republican
tariff policy Of protection.
Meantime. Mr. BRYAN denounces the
principles promulgated by the Supreme
Court in the late opinions and still clings
to his Anti-lmperialism. though. OBJ
viously. Mr.. MCKINLEY positive refusal to
take third nomination. even II II should be
offered TO him. has made that humbug issue
impossible He also declines to surrender
the leadership Of the Democratic party.
and seems to be cherishing a purpose TO
resist to the last any attempt TO depos,
him from Il made by Democrats who re-
volted against his candidacy in the cam
paigns Of 1900 and 1911. Whatever shall
he the Democratic issue in 1904 Mr. BRYAN.
1t may be assumed. will insist on shaping il.
He must be regarded as still a prime
factor In the Democratic problem, and
more especially since there has appeared
"a yet no other man with any peculiar title
10 leadership because Of his distinction
"a the representative Of a restored unity
OF Democratic sentiment
Nor is there any probability, nay. any
possibility, Of the uprising Of a now leader
representative of n new issuo, Mr. BRECK-
INHIpoE's or another until tho next Con-
gress meets. Unless the Democratic Repre-
sentativcs then make definite issue which
shall harmonize and unity the party in
the Cong ress elections OF 1902 II is not
likely TO be together in the Presidential cam
paign Not until those elections will there
be a practical test Of public sentiment
As II Is now, there cannot be said 10 be
any organized opposition 10 the policy
OF the Administration relating to cur now
possessions or To any other question such
political controversy as there is goes on
langudly only. and it Is rather within the
parties than between them. What the
issic OF 1904 Ia to he. 80 far a. concerns the
Democracy certainly. Is still as much in
doubt IA ii has been at any time since the
last d feat of Mr. BRYAS. and there are no
ind cations OF any precise drift Of public
sentiment 20 suggest what II will be.