Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-10-09
THE WHITE FEATHER."
That Is What the Sage Of Yslm Thinks Hanna
Has Shown.

ED. STANDARD:
The comments of the Pr on the
reply OF Chairman Dick, OF the Repub-
lican State Committee of Ohio, to the
challenge of John H. Clarke, Demo-
cratic candidate for The U. S. Senate,
for joint debate with Senator Hanna,
makes me tired. 1t is absolutely
laughable were it not so ridiculously
absurd:
Hear him: "Before there can be a
debate over political issues, it must be
apparent that there are issues to be
debated, and this is precisely what
cannot be done when any Demo-
crat challenges any Republican to de.
bate without first defining his own po-
sition." And he still further exhibits
his ignorance, or rather cussedness
(for he knows better) by asserting that
there is not single, separate question
OF national politics in regard 10 which
a considerable element in the Demo-
cratic party is not in sympathy with
the Republican attitude"
He further says: 1.-The Republican
party stands for sound money the
Republican party stands for protec-
ton; so do many Democrats. On the
question of retention of the Philip
pines, it is reasonably certain that q
fair majority of the Democrats of the
country stand in with the Republic
cans"
On the question OF the trusts, the
same phenomenon is presented. Again
he asserts: "The only proposition on
which the Democrats are united is, for
the control of the Off ces, and debate
can scarcely be had on that ground
When the Democratic party finds it
self; when it is committed for or
against free trade; for or against
sound money; for or against the Phil.
ippines; for or against the trusts; for
or against the enforcement of all of
the provisions of the constitution and
the laws, then and not till then, will
there be issues to be debated"
Ye gods, what consummate gall |!
IT'S said that "a drowning man will
grasp at straw" and it simply shows
to what straits they are reduced when
they will try to evade an argument on
so insignificant a pretext. No issue
to debate, forsooth! What is an issue
in politics. Simply difference. l
should hate to think there was no diff
ference between modern Republican.
ism and Democracy. But let us inves.
tigate. He says the Republicans stand
for sound money, and yet in the face
OF this assertion they favor a currency
Issued on the assets of the banks,
which is more unsound than any pro-
position ever before suggested by any
party. Is there q single Democrat
who is willing 10 stultify himself by
advocating such proposition? Show
him 10 me, want to feel his bumps.
That is issue No. l. He says "The
Republican party stands for protection,
so do many Democrats" There is not
sound and loyal Democrat in the
United States who is in favor OF pro-
tective tariff. and he knows it, but
there are many Republican free trad
ers. Issue No. 2.
He says: "On the question OF re.
tention of the Philippines, it is reason.
ably certain thata fair majority OF the
Democrats OF the country stand in
with the Republicans" Oh, what a
whopperl A man may be excused,
under certain circumstances for evad.
ing the truth, but that is too palpably
false for consideration. If there is one
issue that stands out prominently
above all others between the two par
tiee, it is the issue OF imperialism.
This is the grossest crime of which any
party was ever guilty. In fact it is go
palpably unjust and 80 grossly incon-
sistent with our Declaration of Inde-
pendence and the fundamental princi.
Piles OF our government that some of
the leaders of their own party lie.
nounce it in the bitterest terms, and
any renegade Democrat who favors
such a policy deserves to be drummed
out OF the party. Issue No. 3.
He says: "On the question OF
trusts the same phenomenon il pre-.
sented." l admit they agree on this
proposition, with this exception: The
Republican party solemnly pledged it.
self to throttle the trusts and the last
Congress appropriated $500,O0 to be
used by the Attorney General for that
purpose; but, so far, 1 haven't heard of
any trust being busted to hurt. The
Democrats promised the same thing,
but were denied the opportunity from
the fact that the trusts knew they
meant what they said, while the Re-
publicans were only joking rs usual.
They reasoned that father generally
consults the interests of his own off.
spring.
He says: "The only proposition on
which the Democrats are united, is the
control of the Offices" If there is one
thing for which Republican will eac-
rifice his honor, his judgment, his
hope OF heaven, his good name and his
country, it is for office and it comes
with q poor grace for him to Judge the
Democratic party by a Republican
standard.
Now it strikes me forcibly that the
issues are quite numerous, and it is
not for want OF an issue that Gentle.
man Dick declines to have Mr.. Hams
debate, but for want OF material for
argument.
Come again.
Yours respectfully,
J. C. Cos.
If there is any one thing the Repub-