Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-22
Comment INDUCED in by Re-
publican Leaders.
DEMOCRATIC DOCTRINE
BEFORE CAMPAIGN BOOK IS DIS
TRIBUTED ISSUES CHANGE.
Talk About Imperialism Abandoned,
Although Once Given First Place
Gave Rise to Protests.

The shifting nature of politics is the SUBJ
Ject of great deal of comment on the part
of republicans who have undertaken to fol-
low the trend of democratic argument that
goes before the voters in the states. On
September 3, just nineteen days ago, the
democratic campaign book was made pub
lie. The books have not yet all been print
ed and their distribution Is far from COM
plete. The foremost issue in that book COW
ering ninety-eight of its 3S4 pages. Is i'm
perialism. Imperialism is given the place
of honor, leading in the arguments against
the republican administration, except in the
case of brief comments. Indeed, the pub
LEGATION of the book was long delayed in or
der that this foremost issue might be fully
commented on and given the important con-
sideration that a foremost issue should re-
ceive.
Shifting Arguments.
Republicans are calling attention to the
fact that in spite Of the foremost place
given to this issue in the campaign book
the democrats have already shifted their
arguments, which relegates Imperialism to
comparative obscurity, and all this before
they have fully distributed the book. They
call attention to declarations made by Off
GERS OF the democratic congressional COM
sons action made it easy to shift to the
tariff and trusts.
1t Is claimed by critics Of the democratic
committee that the arguments against So
called Imperialism have not only fallen with
no effect on people before whom they have
been placed, but that they have produced
resentment in many parts Of the country,
which is now being evidenced in various
ways. The campaign book was not even
published when there were numerous pro-
tests on the part Of democratic speakers
against the policy of making the war in
the Philippines an issue in the campaign
They found that throughout democratic
districts soldiers returning from the Philip
pines resented the idea of having them
selves pictured actors in a campaign Of
brutality and derided when they expected
to return home in the role of heroes, who
had been suffering necessary hardships in
tia service Of their country.
These men protested against being placed
In this position. Their relatives and friends
sympathized with them and the storm of
protest Is said to be coming into this city
from all parts of the country in various
ways. It Is said to be this influence. that
was very early felt in the campaign Beside
the general unpopularity of abuse on the
American army that has shifted the issue.
At any rate, Imperialism Is regarded as
practically of the same nature as Is free
silver democratic doctrine.
What May Happen Next.
Of the campaign that was to be waged re-
publicans are considering what may hap
pen next. They declare that the gen eral
confidence felt in Mr.. Roosevelt as che who
will use his influence to secure a modifica-
ton Of the tariff il necessary to prevent any
evil of trusts that seek to charge excessive
prices for their products, that the people
will not be inclined to vote for democratic
candidates. They say the distance between
policy for modifying the tariff by believers
in the principle Of protection and tariff
tinkering by party with a history favor
ing free trade, is very far. The failure Of
the democratic campaign committee to Sc
cure enough speakers to take the stump is
said to be due to the unpopularity OF cam
paign issues as outlined in the book issued
by the committee, rather than because Of
any lack OF speakers. These democrats
have given all kinds Of reasons why they
could not leave their happy homes in the
south and elsewhere and go into doubtful
states to talk democratic doctrine as out
lined in the campaign book. The question
that is now proving most interesting to re-
publcans is the further shifting of the is
sues that may take place.