Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-28

administration against the protest OF an
overwhelming majority of the voters OF
the party. The defeat of 1894 was more
disastrous than any that the party has
experienced since, and it was due to the
fact that the administration deserted the
people on the money qquestion. In 1870
the money question had forged to the
front, made paramount not only by the
action of the majority of the Democratic
party, but by the attempt of minori-
ty of the party to aid the Republican
party to chain the country to, an appre-
cfating dollar. Without abandoning It's
position on the tariff question the party
met this issue and took the side OF the
people. In spite of the desertion Of many
formerly conspicuous in its councils OF
the Democratic party, polled million
more votes than it had ever polled be-
fore. and would have won but for the
indefensible methods of the Republican
party, whose leaders held all the pro-
tectionist Republicans by declaring the
tariff issue to be paramount, mollifed the
wrath Of most of the free silver Repub-
licans by promising international bimetal-
lism, and won all the advocates OF the
gold standard by revealing to them the
secret purpose of the party to adopt
European financial system. But even
then we would have won but for the fact
that borrowers were coerced, and employ
ed intimidated.
War Of Conquest
Gin 1900 the action Of the Republican
party in turning a war commenced TOT
humanity into a war OF conquest COM
PEELED the consideration of another ques-
tion-a question so far-reaching in its
consequences that our party rightfully
declared It to be the paramount ISSUE
without abandoning its position on the
tariff question or on the money question
IL again espoused the peoples side or
great issue. That it did not win that
year was due to a conjunction OF causes
any one of which would have been IN
sufficient to Shave accomplished defeat
The administration having carried on a
brief and successful war fell heir to the
enthusiasm which usually attends VIC
torious conflict; an unexpected increase
in the supply of new gold and an unex-
pected influx of European gold, due to
large crops here and famine abroad,
increased prices, relieved the stress OF
hard times and gave to the people the
benefits that always how from a growing
volume of money. While the advantages
which followed a larger volume
Of money INDICATED the princi-
pie contended for by bimetallists
they were appropriated by the party in
power and those who were influenced
by conditions, without attempting to re-
alize the conditions, gave the Republican
party credit for an increasing prosperity.
THE protected manufacturers, Of course,
stood by the administration which had
given them Dingley law. Trust promo
ters and trust magnates, recognizing In
the democratic party an inveterate foe,
and numbering among their stockholders
many of the most influential Republicans,
threw all their strength to the Republican
party. and by their support purchased i'm
munity from punishment. The Republi-
cans were greatly aided by another IN
fluence-namely, the influence Of the
financiers who not having completed their
schemes were willing to risk trusts, I'M
perialism- or anything else rather than
forego the advantage which they expect
ed from a gold standard and bank cur
rency. In spite of all these obstacles the
campaign of 1900 only showed q net change
Of 150 900 votes in favor of the Republicans
out of a total vote of over 13,OOOOOO. And
what is the situation today? Since the
election of 1900, imperialism is more open
ly avowed and imperialistic methods more
boldly entered upon because the admins
tration can point to that election as an APP
parent Endorsement, although the party
leaders at that time vehemently denied
imperialistic intent. Those who expect TO
make a profit out of a colonial system
favor it on the ground that 1t Will pay;
those who think that 1t opened up the
Philippines to PROSECUTING insist that II is
providential, while those who are simply
seeking some reason for supporting their
party's policy fall back upon the doctrine
that circumstances got us into the trouble
and that we must stay in until circum-
stances get us out.
'sSince the election Of 1900 the trusts
have grown and fiourished under the Re
publican administration, as might have
been expected. Almost two years have
elapsed since the last presidential cleo
ton, and no legislative attempt has been
made to interfere with them, and the ex-
ecutive efforts, instead of being directed
toward the enforcement OF criminal stat
utes, are confined to the equity side or the
court and these efforts have not IN the
lease retarded the formation of new COM
bines.
AS to the Outlook.
"since the election, the flnanciers are
seeking to carry their advantage little
farther and are planning an asset cur
rency a system of branch banks and the
redemption of the silver dollars. Recog-
MIXING the enormous iniquity of the bill
they did not dare press 1t during the cam
paign, but having secured a favorable re-
port in the house, postponed Its consld-
GRAFTON until December.
'Since the election, Republican con-
gress has turned a deaf ear to the labor
er's crv for relief from government by
Injunction; and a Republican senate has
refused to grant the demand of the peo-
pie for the election of United States SEN
ators by a direct vote.
And all the while an exorbitant tarln
is working injustice to the consumers and
enabling the beneficiaries of protection TO
sellat home at a high price and compete
in foreign markets at a lower price.
while the exploiters have been press
ing their advantages at home and abroad
the interests of the producers Of wealth
on the farm, in the factory and in the
mines have been utterly ignored, and the
small business man has been left to such
precarious existence as the trusts permit
him to enjoy.
How can the opponents Of aristocracy
and plutocracy be united for a successful
attack upon entrenched privilege? Not by
making peace with the enemy; not by i'm
itating their works, their methods or their
phraseology, but by honest, straight for
ward appeal to the American people upon
a platform that can be understood and
with an organization that can be trusted.
Already many of the Republicans are wa
vering, but they can never be won to the
Democratic party as long as they can say
that our party is as bad as theirs. Not by
surrender, not by compromise, not by
equivocation, not by ambiguity, not by
vacilation, is the victory to be won, but
by bold, constant, persistent, steadfast
defense of the interests Of the people at
all times, under all circumstances and on
all questions. To lose faith in the expedi-
ency Of such a course is to lose faith in
the omnipotence of truth. Upon this basis