The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-07-21


velt or Judge Parker could know,
would it not be wise TO elect him
president and let him deal with the
question? And then, Mr.. Watson
stands for every economical reform
Mr.. Bryan has advocated during his
life and which Judge Parker opposes.
Mr.. Watson's eminent qualification
for the position cannot be questioned.
The third reason given by Mr.. Bry-
an for his intention to vote for Judge
Parker, viz: that Mr.. Roosevelt stands
for the spirit of war, might be we'll
taken, il there were but two candi-
dates-Rooseveit and Parker-in the
field. But this can be avoided by vot-
ing for Mr.. Watson But there is
really no reason to believe that If
Judge Parker were elected he would
pursue different policy. He has
made no declaration on the subject
and there is no reason to think. that,
coming from New York where the
spirit of imperialism is rife and has
it's habitation, there is any likelihood
of his adopting a policy different from
that OF Mr. Roosevelt. We know that
Mr.. Roosevelt stands for what Mr..
Blaine called "a brilliant foreign pol
ICY" Have we any reason to believe
that Judge Parker would stand for
strong domestic policy? That Mr..
Watson stands for home rule and
strong domestic policy and will assert
the true dignity and rights of ma
tion in world politics, cannot be
doubted by those who know him.
The fourth reason given by MIR. Bly,
an for his intention to vote for Judge
Parker, viz: that the democratic plat
form advocates reduction OF the
standing army, is inadmissable. While
the standing army is larger than it
was at the beginning of the Spanish
American war, it is not too large for
nation of our proportions and i'm
| portance and as nucleus for larger
army in case of real danger. The
standing army would have to be many
times larger than it is now to be a
menace to the liberty of the people.
| Mr.. Bryan'S statement that moth
ing good can be expected OF Judge
Parker on the money question, or in
the way of economical reform. fur
nishes sufficient reason for his re-
| jecting the judges candidacy and
adopting that of Mr.. Watson. If Judge
Parker was disqualified when Mr.
Bryan made speech in New York
against his nomination, he has not be-
come competent by having his candi-
dacy ratified by the st. Louis conven-
ton.
The declaration Of Mr.. Bryan that
he will. after the election, begin a
propaganda within the democratic
party to control the nomination in
| 1908 in favor of economic reforms. is
lncontrovertible proof that he intends
to STAY in the democratic party
whether 1t accomplishes reforms or
not.
For eight years the populsts of the
United States have been foremost in
upholding Mr. Bryan, and have twice
given him their support for the presi-
dency: and they did SO strictly on the
ground that his views on the money
question were substantially populistic
and with the full belief that if he be-
came president he would insist on
measures and policies that would
bring relief to the country. think
am safe in saying that IL the popuIists
had known that there were NO cir
cumstances under which Mr.. Bryan
would sever his relation with the
democratic party. he would not have
received their support; or II they had
believed that his advocacy OF none
tary reformation and change Of gem
eral commercial policies. were subor-
dInatc TO his loyalty to the democratic
party. they would not have voted for
him
In my judgment MIR Bryan Is mis-
taken In declaring his intention 10
support Judge Parker for the plosl-
dcncy.
The failure of the national demo-
cratic convention TO make plain aud
unoqulyocal declaration ON the moaey
question was cowardly; nothing Is "a
be gained by leaving the platform
blank on that subject as II has been
iilled by Judge rnrker'a statement
that the gnld standard has become tho
hxed and interchangeable policy of the