The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-07-19

most popular men on the ticket and
this condition we must meet. Wedo
not wish the Democrats to view the
situation with alarm. There is no
reason for this, providing good men
are chosen. What we desire to inn
press upon them is the necessity of
wisdom and sagacity in making their
individual choice on the day of the
primaries.
THE DEMOCRATIC KEYNOTE ER0M
OHIO.
While the Ohio Democratic Con-
vention refused to adopt a resolution
reafirming the Kansas City plat
form and expressing continued con-
fdence in Mr.. Bryan, it made a
straightout declaration against i'm
perialism. Although the sentiment
of the party in Ohio appears to have
undergone radical change as re-
spects the standard-bearer of the
National Democracy in the President
ial contests of 1896 and 1900 there
has been no modification of the
party's views regarding the govern
lnent of the territory acquired from
Spain. The platform of the Ohio
Democrats is explicit upon this
point.
powers granted the Federal Gov
ernment," says the platform, "were
not meant to be used to conquer or
hold in subsection the people ofother
countries. The Democratic party
opposes any extension of the national
boundaries not meant to carry
speedily to all inhabitants full, equal
rights with ourselves. If these are
untitled by location, race or character
to be formed into self-governing ter
ritories and then incorporated into
the Union of States, they should be
permitted to work out their own
destinies."
In thus taking sharp issue with
the party Of expansion on the status
OF our dependencies, the Ohio Demo-
Gratis assert that the question of i'm
perialism is vital one and yet to be
settled by the people of the United
States. There is a disposition in
some quarters to accept the recent
decisions Of the Supreme Court of
the United States as the final solution
of the question, and as a warrant for
the establishment permanently in
Porto Rico and the Philippines of a
form of government which halfofthe
American people do not approve.
The Supreme Court held that there
was nothing in the Constitution to
prevent the Congress of the United
States from giving a status to our
dependencies materially different
from that of the States and Territor-
les Of this republic. The question, in
view of the Courts decisions, is es-
sentially a political one-that is to
say, if the people of the United States
want dependencies held indefinitely
in subsection the Constitution does
not forbid them. They can continue
to elect Congress and Presidents
who will carry out the policy of inn
perialism. The Ohio Democrats be-
lieve the inhabitants of the territory
acquired from Spain should have
"full and equal rights with our
Selves" or. if untitled to be formed
into self-governing territories and
then incorporated into the Union OF
States, they should be permitted to
work out their own destinies." That
statement embodies Democratic doc
trine On the subject, and three years
ago it represented probably the
views of the great body ofthe Ameri-
can people on the government of
territory acquired by purchase or
conquest. The Ohio Democrats be-
lieve that until the question of inn
perialism is settled in accordance
with the time-honored American
doctrine the status of our Dependent
cies will be an issue in national poll
tics They unhesitatingly declare
that powers granted the Federal
Government were not meant to be
used to conquer or hold in subsection
the people of other countries"
The reaction in Ohio against Mr..
Bryan is not due to his views upon
the expansion problem. Democrats
of that State, as their platform shows
are in accord with him on that SUBJ
ject. Probably if the facts could be
brought out it would be found that
the reaction dates back to the Kansas
City Convention a year ago, when
Mr.. Bryan insisted upon putting a
silver plank in the national platform.
The wisest and most experienced
Democratic leaders warned him
against forcing the silver issue to the
front, but he turned a deaf ear to
their counsels and gave his political
opponents an advantage which
should never have been presented to
them. While many Democrats were
convinced that Mr.. Brayan, ifelected
President, could not upset the gold
standard or bring about the condi-
ton of panic, there were others who
were determined to take no chances.
They were not in sympathy with the
expansion policy of the administra-
tion hut thew were bent uDon secrr |