New-York tribune., 1901-08-22
IMPERIALISM AND THE DEMOCRACY.

In outlining the other day revised confession
of Democratic faith Senator George G. Vest Of
Missouri committed himself TO n distinctly OPP
portunist and "reactionary" programme. He
boldly announced that he had not supported Mr..
Bryan very enthusiastically IN 1900" did not
consider him "a great leader" and did not be-
lieve that he could ever lead the party TO VIC
tory" Mr.. Vest also frankly declared that the
silver issue was not one ION which the Demo
cratic party could go into the contest Of 1904"
thus sustaining the contention of the Eastern
''reOrganizers" that last years platform was as
lacking in winning virtues as last years leader
ship. But IL is rather surprising to find the vet
eran Missouri statesman discarding one of the
losing issues of 1900 only to give 10 another
anti-imperialsm-a place of honor in the redraft
which he offers as an improved and broadened
party creed For between the indefensibe and
impolitic demand for free silver coinage and
the fantastic crusade waged against the imag-
mary evils Of an imaginary imperialism II is
difficult TO determine which contributed more
directly and effectively 10 Democratic defeat.
Mr. Vest is, however one of the original anti
imperialists, and he is oath to confess the empti
ness of the consent of the governed" issue
which he was himself among the first 10 raise
II is evident, moreover that he retains an anti
Imperialism plank in his projected programme
more for the sake of personal consistency than
from any serious conviction of its political use
fulness or force. He bitterly assailS Colonel
Bryan for the shfty role he played In assisting
in the ratification Of the Paris Treaty. and then
denouncing the Administrations efforts to carry
the treaty into effect. If we 1.-THE Democratic
SenatorsI had beaten the treaty in the Senate"
he justly says. las we certainly could have done
before Mr. Bryan came to Washington, we
would at any rate, whether successful in the
presidential campaign or not, have been true
ITO the principles and teachings of Mr.. Jeffer
'son." But that such fidelity TO Jefferson's sup
posed doctrines will be particularly available
political asset I'm 1901 Mr.. Vest is far from san
guine. For he said despondently last week in
his Sweet Springs interview: Il must confess
that recent events, especially the Supreme
Court decision in the Porto Rican cases seem
''to indicate that the colonial policy will be that
''Of the United States for the future" and he
added with sneer: "A great many Democrats
sin the South seem willing enough to forget the
Declaration of Independence if they can sell
their cotton at an increased price In the
Orient"
If the Missouri Senator will read the party
platforms adopted by the Democratic State con-
ventions held so far this year he will discover
that great many Democrats everywhere are
troubled with other preoccupations than being
true TO the principles and teachings OF Mr..
Jefferson" Democratic platform makers in
Virginia. Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio
have shown no eagerness whatever TO fight
again the sham "imperialistic" battle of 1900.
In the first three States not n whisper was
heard about the consent of the governed ISSUE
while in Ohio a tempered revision of last years
declaration was adopted sanctioning only such
territorial expansion as is demanded by ma
tonal welfare and national safety" Few DEM