The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-30
GOl1lnlo1ler Comment.
Extracts from w. J. Bryan's Paper.
Mr.. Watterson's Cartoon.

!. !.
Mr.. Watterson's Cartoon.
Editor Watterson of the Courier
Journal has devoted SO much space te
me that no apology is necessary TO,
another cn---4aent upon his views.
Relying upon his age, experience and
more extended observation, he has or
several occasions outlined what he re
CARDS as the proper course for me te
pursue. Without questioning his good
intent or his wisdom on subjects in
general, find it is impossible to follow
his advice without abandoning all that
4 have been taught to hold sacred. In
the first editorial on this subject Mr..
Watterson's position was criticised as
an immoral one. The editorials with
which he has attempted to support his
position has more and more clearly de-
monstrated the weakness of his argu-
ment.
No advocate of imperialism has
placed his defense upon lower ground.
No one who has attempted to defend
the administration has shown more
complete disregard for the principles
and motives that should actuate men,
parties and nations. He says:
I'm abandoning them (the Philip
pines we yield our vantage ground in
the far East, which is already become
the center of the strife of the powers
for commercial supremacy. We make
what the world and the ages will hold
an ignominious and short-sighted
surrender; for we are entering upon a
cycle of pure commercialism, whose end
will witness the survival of the fittest,
and since when was any spirited people
insensible either to money or empire?
Wrong, morally wrong, says Mr..
Bryan? Why, on that line, all effort,
which has gain for it's object is wrong
Out of line with American traditions,
says Mr.. Bryan? Why, every import
ant movement from the Louisiana pur-
chase to the abolition Of slavery, might
zoe so described. But, right or wrong.
facts; and, as organized body, what
shall the democratic party do about
them?"
This is Mr.. Watterson's argument.
He first assumes that we are entering
upon alcycle of pure commercialism.'
Second, he assumes that it is impossible
to combat this spirit and, third, he
argues that assuming his two prophe
cies to be true) it is better for the
democratic party to do wrong and
prosper than to do right and suffer.
He attempts to disclose what is destiny
and then criticises those who refuse tc
accept him as an ordained prophet.
ALI through Mr.. Watterson's argument
runs the theory that wrong is not
wrong if it is successful, and that
right is not right if it fails. His argu-
'ment ignores entirely the fixed moral
principles which should guide the
individual, the party and the nation
and he also ignores the fact that re-
tribution always follows wrongdoing
He tells me how Ivan be Warwick,
if not a king. He doas me scant honor
when he assumes thagI am willing to
purchase either ion at the ex-
pense of aasss bical principles.
.,z=ssss1 49, rpose, however.
~ i. lof when two men
differ as to a moral question, argumen-
tation is of little value Morals are
matters of heart rather than head. Ii
argument would keep men from steal
ing or from taking human life there
would be neither larceny nor murder
but when man really wants to stea
or to kill, or, to apply the principles te
the present case, wants nothing bu
immediate victory, and cares not fol
the necessary but remote consequences
the case is almost hopeless.
The object of this editorial is to cal
attention to picture which illustrate.
Mr.. Watterson's views better than hi!
pen or mine can do. Judge, the illus
trated paper, asked Mr.. Watterson tx
suggest an idea for cartoon. In re
ply he wrote: 'sDraw a picture O
baby Jonathan in his cradle asleep.
About him are his playthings- to,
kettle drum, marked Independence,
q toy cannon marked Freedom, ant
dangling by a string from his clutchee
hand child's balloon, marked 9Th,
Future Above him hover the spirit.
of Washington and Franklin. Beyond
in the clouds, a vision of domes anc
spires, spanned by a rainbow of red
white and blue. Beneath, the words
out of the old song, Asleep, Dream
of Love
s.Draw another picture of richly
furnished apartment and a party at a
card table; England and Germany a
the right and left of Uncle Sam, who
with calm self-confdence sits in rock
or. Russia, France, China and japan
ranged about. Some exposed card
marked Peace Order Religion,
Humanity Behind Uncle Sam on tn,
wall appear portraits of Washington
jefferson, Jackson, and Lincoln, ant
on the floor great mastif, eager ant
alert and ready to spring, marked Pop
ular Sovereignty Beneath this por
trait Uncle Sam is made to say Gentle
men. bank this game Under TIL,
first picture write 1901, under the 9th
er 1901"
It would be difficult to illustrat
mcre forcibly the change that has tax
en- place within the last two years. l
is hard to conceive of more scathin,
condemnation of the innovation
wrought by the republican administra
ton. From the child dreaming of Low
to the successful gambler is transi
The London Speaker is guilty @
lese majestic when it attempts t
speak disparagingly of the right hor
orable Marcus A. Hanna. The crit
cisn shows lack of gratitude as wei