The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-10-23
BRYAN DEFINES
CAMP PA|GN ISSUES
SectionaIisn, War Spirit,
Imperialism.
CAEETv lM DADKCn
SAFETY IN PARKER
Brilliant Nebraskan Declares That
Roosevelt is Responsible for Three
New Issues of Vital Import
ance--Democrats Should
Support Parker.
Support Parker.
BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.

By WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
Saturday Evening Post.)
In response to the request of The
Saturday Evening Post, 1 beg to sub
NIT the following reasons why Par
ker and Davis should this year re-
ceive the support of those Democrats
who supported the party candidates in
1896 and 1900.
In 1886 the money question was de-
clared by the Democrats to be the par
amount issue, and the party announc-
ed It's unalterable opposition to the
gold standard and it's advocacy of the
restoration of bimetalism at the exist
ing legal ratio of sixteen to one. The
Republican party, though not admit
llng the money question to be para
mount, pledged itself to assist in re-
storing bimetalism by international
agreement. but insisted upon the
maintenance of the gold standard until
such agreement should be secured. The
election resulted in a victory for the
Republlcan party, and, in pursuance
of its partys promise, the administra-
ton Immediately sent a commission
to Europe to secure international CO.
operation and the abandonment OF
the gold standard, Congress appro-
priating 100000 to pay the expenses
of the commission. The commission
was composed of ex-Vice- President
AGlai Stevenson, Senator Edward O.
Wolcott Colorado. and Mr.. Payne, Of
Massachusetts,. There is uo doubt that
these gentlemen, though unsuccessful
III their mission, earnestly endeavored
to carry out their instructions and
secure the restoration of bime etalism,
but Senator Wolcott complained upon
his return that their work had been
hindered and embarrassed by the ut
terances of Secretary Gage, the new
head of the Treasury Department. who
gave out interviews in favor of the
gold standard while the commission
was trying to secure bimetalism.
Unless the administration was inn
sincere in the appointment OF the COM
mission we must conclude that the
gold standard was unsatisfactory, for
had it been satisfactory no attempt
would have been made to replace it
with international bimetalism. The
promise to promote an international
agreement, together with the steps ta-
ken to fulfill that promise, must be
accepted as an admission that the
Democrats were right in condemning
the gold standard, although major
ity of the voters preferred internation-
al bimetalism to independent bimetai-
ism.
The failure of the commission tC
enlist the aid of other nations in be-
half of the. double standafd would
have. reacted In favor of in1ependen,
b1nfetalism and strengthened the Dem
'ocratic position but for the unexpected
increase in the gold supply. This has
been so considerable as to check the
fall in prices and. to some extent, tc
raise the level of prices. Just how
far the higher price level has been
due to an enlarged volume of moneA
and how much to the wars in CUBA
the Philippines, South Africa and latel
in Russia, no one can accurately de-
termine; but it is certain that the
increased production of gold has
brought in part the benefits which
bmetalists expected from the restora
ton of silver. While the quantitative
theory of money, for which bimetal-
lists contended in 1896, has been vim
dicated still the political advantage
of the vindcation has accrued to the
advocates of the gold standard. be-
cause with higher prices the main ar
gument in favor of bimetalism ha:
been answered or rather the necessity
for bimetalism has decreased as golC
has become more plentiful.
The Changed Conditions OF the Cam
paign of 1900.
By 1900 Industrial conditions had
been SO improved that the money
question was no longer acute, anC
many Democrats were willing to ignore
if entirely for the time being. In the
meantime the question of imperialism
had been thrust into the politica
arena by the Philippine policy nf the
administration. The trusts. too, hat
grown so rapidly in number and II
size as to make that question an I'M
portant issue in the campaign. Whef
the Democrats met in national con
vention in Kansas City imperialism
was made the paramount issue ana the
trust question was given a position o
secondary importance. The Chicago
platform of 1896 was reaffirmed--
there being no opposition to reaffirna
tion-but the money plank was relter
ated only after a very animated dis
cuSsion in the committee and by &
close vote.
The Democrats fought the campais
of 1900 mainly upon the question OF
imperiaism while the Republican,
denied that their party had any imper
iaIistic intent, and, openly adVocatlnl
the gold standard. sought to use tnt
money question as scare to hoid the
business interests in line. 1t was 9
little inconsistent for the Republican
Marty which favored international bi
n,ataJjsm in 1896, to be so enthusiasts;
for the gold standard in 1900, but ths
arpument had it's effect-more effec
nrobably than it would have had i
the Democrats had given more time
to the discussion of the money ques
ton.
During the four years that FOLLOWED
1900 the money question. owing to the