Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-09-25

Mr. Editor:
The time is fast approaching when
the A American people will again exer-
else the right of free citizens and elect
their Chief EvecutiS for the coming
four years
The contest which is now being
waged for the greatest gift within the
hand OF The American people is mar
rowed down between the candidates
OF the Republican and Democratic par
ties, William II. Taft and William j.
Bryan. The writer OF this Article has
always been :. staunch Republican and
is indeed proud of the great achiev-
ments OF his party, the party OF Lin
coin, Grant, Garfield and Mckinley.
Indeed the history of the Republican
party has been the history of our coun-
try and that history has been one of
which every patriotic American should
be jultly proud. Many of the leaders Of
the party from time to time when I'M
der the leadership of Abraham Lin
coin it brokeIthe chains of slavery from
four million slaves and gave freedom
to benighted race, have been the
most illustrious sons of this republic.
A great deal might also be said re-
garding the Democratic party's past
history that would be worthy of con-
sideration.
During all the contests for the Presi-
dency in former campaigns the issues
were clearly defined and there has al
ways been a "peramount issue,' one
that was the overshadowing issue of
the campaign on which the parties diff
fered. Thus from the Civil War to
CIeyeland's administration the Re-
publican party stood for high tariff,
while the Democratic party advocated
a tariff for revenue only.
In the first Mckinley campaign the
msney question was brought to life,
Mckinley standing for the "gold
standard and Bryan for "free silver"
the tariff question also figured in the
campaign.
When Mckinley's second campaign
came the country found itself facing
new problems brought on by the Span
ish-American war consequently new
issues made their appearance In the
fields of politics and Imperialism and
expansion became the paramount is
sues. The trust question also occupied
a prominent place in this campsign.
With the death of Mckinley and
the ascendency of Roosevelt to the
Presidency, man Of aggres sive and
reform ideas, new policies were inau-
gurated. Therefore the issue OF the
of 1904 was the continuing
of the Roosevelt policies. These were
opposed by the so-called conservative
of the Democratic party,
Judge Parker. Thus we see that dur
ing all these years that great questions
have divided the parties, but in the
campaign now going on no such DIFF
ferences exist. We find the Re-
publican convention at Chicago de-
claring for speedy revision OF the
tariff, for an adjustment Of labor trou-
bles and for power for the governme lent
for the curbing Of trust and monopo-
lies. We see the Republican party en-
dorsing Roosevelt's administration
and the Democratic party not con-
demning him, but declare that he is
trying to carry out many of Bryan's
ideas. Therefore we read and re-read
the platforms Of the two parties and
we find ne great dividing issue and
truly an editor has written: "Bryan
and Taft could swap platforms and the
great mass of voters would not per-
ceive the change 1t Is merely mat
ter of method for attaining these ends
and question of men. Who shall
carry out these promised reforms, Mr..
Bryan or Mr.. Taft?
Now let us be Straightforward in this
matter and give every man what is
Justly due him. The writer Of this arti-
Gle believes that when it comes to the
question of the raan that Mr.. Bryan
has the decided advantage; that Mr.,
Bryan's character as man is such
that should appeal to all men irrespec-
tive of party. A student OF present day
politics. if he wants to be fair, must
admit that the ideas of Mr.. Bryan
and President Roosevelt run In the
same channel. Plainly speaking, III
must be admitted that Mr.. Bryan is
ga good man." Mr.. Bryan may, mol
doubt. have been wrong in some of
his theeri IS, bat certainly he is sincere,
be is conscientious; he is man OF the
noblest character. He is christian
gentleman and an adv ocate OF chris
tian patriotism; man whose integrl-
iy, honesty and good intentions can
never for moment be questioned;
man who will stand for God, home