The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-05-08

between self-government and arbitrary
power-between republic and an en-
! pire. The more the question is dis
cussed the clearer this issue will be-
come, and it is not surprising that the
republicans, already conscious of their
| position, are beginning to dodge the
principles involved and run from the
! question.
"sMARTNEss AND HONESTY"
Those people who have attributed the
defeat of the democracy to its adher-
ence to the principles of bimetallism
| may be interested in reading an edi-
torial that appeared in the Lincoln
| (Neb.) Journal, stalwart republican
| newspaper, of April 10. The editorial
follows:
The Portland Oregonian declares that
Mckinley defeated Bryan in '96 be-
cause of the adoption of the free silver
at 16 to by the national democracy as
a part of their creed" Nothing is more
absurd. The adoption of that novel
and seductive battle cry came perilous-
ly near snatching victory for the party
that nearly bankrupted the nation in
four years, when its defeat was ap-t
parently as certain as sunrise. Had
the Chicago convention been held sixty
days later nothing would have saved
Mckinley from defeat. Bryan and 16
| to l swept the country like a prairie
| fire for three months, but the election
did not come soon enough to catch the
| people in the first whirl, and the re-
publicans had time to rally with their
fire extinguishers and check the con-
fagration. The republican rally was
accomplished during the last thirty
days of the campaign. 1t was the most
brilliant political flank movement, if
smartness is better than honesty in
politics, ever seen in our national his
| tory, but the extra month Of reflection
and debate saved the country from a
most tremendous economic disaster.
| Without sixteen-to-one and the me-
.teoric Bryan on the tail end of the
special trains, the democrats would not
have carried a single state outside the
solid south" in '96 1t was the last
quarter stretch that winded Bryan and
his Chicago steed. The strategic
strength of the Chicago flank move
ment was the capture, bag and bag
gage, of the populist uprising when it
| was at its zenith.
Without undertaking to discuss at
this time the merits Of the issue of
bimetallism, it is interesting to observe
| that this republican newspaper admits
what very many careful observers have
believed, that the so-called "si1ver is
sue" was not responsible for the defeat
of the democratic party in 1896. 1t is
true, as this republican newspaper adj
mits, that "the republican rally was ac-
complished during the last thirty days
of the campaign" and it is particularly
interesting to observe that, referring to
this republican "rally" this republican
newspaper says, 1T was the most bril-
/ liant political flank moyement,if smart
ness is better than honesty in politics,
ever seen in our national history" This
is the most candid statement that we
have ever been privileged to read in
a republican newspaper. Men we'll
versed in politics understand that the
republican victory in 1896 was assured
during the last thirty days of the cam
paign." 1t is interesting to learn from
an eminent republican authority that
flank movement, if smartness is better
than honesty in politics, ever seen ir
our national history"
Is it not little peculiar that we had
to wait until the privates were dis
charged aud came home before we
learned Of the cruelties practiced in
the Philippines? The high salaried
officials who are supposed to be look
ing after the interests of subject race
did not seem to consider the matter
worth reporting.
Mr.. Knox asserts that if he finds
such thing as beef trust he will
get after it. 1t will be remembered
that Mr.. Knox could see nothing re-
sembling trust in the steel COM
bine The inference is that the beef
trust is not worrying about Mr.. Knox.
The president is reported as very
anxious to avoid war with the Moros.
Why? Can it be possible that the Mo-
hammedan portion Of the Filipinos is
to be spared the refining and educating
fortunes practiced on the Christian por,
ton?
Genefal smith explains That When ne
ordered Major Waller to take no pris-
oners he meant that captured natives
were to be disarmed and turned loose.
The Philippine question keeps right on
demanding explanations.
The Chicago American has been do
| ing excellent work in behalf of the mu-
Z nicipal ownership of municipal fran
], chises, and the recent vote on munic-
: ipal questions shows that the American
is on the popular side.
i In view of the trouble General Miles
, has caused the secretary Of war, it is
only natural that the secretary should
feel angry. Most men are, when caught
i with the goods
A few senators who oppose the cleo.
J ton of United States senators by direct
I vote of the DeOple nav base their oh