Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-04-17
Mr.. BRYAN TALKS Tolls.
Secretary Of States Idea Of Baltl-
more Platform.
SAYS PRESIDENT WILSON IS FAIR.

Complete Statement Which Comes
Pretty Near Giving a Reason Why
the Platform Plank Was Reversed
Although II Does Not Explain the
Secretary Bryan in a statement
Whole Matter in Detail.
made public last Sunday. lengthily re-
views the Panama tolls question, and
in the course of the statement de-
clares that the repeal of the tolls ex-
emption in the Panama Canal act
cannot be construed to be a con-
struction Of the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty" but is simply refusal on
the part Of the United States to raise
that question in that way"
Mr.. Bryan discusses various fea-
lures Of the subject-the limiting of
debate in the house Of representatives
the Baltimore platform, and the ef-
feet Of repeal on the treaty.
Not Surrenderins.
Claiming that the opponents of the
repeal had seized upon the charge
that the president was "surrendering
to England" Mr.. Bryan declared that
the opposition to the repeal had at
tempted to appeal ito prejudice rath-
er than to reason"
What has Great Britain DONE" he
asked, ito justify the accusation that
she is trying to dictate to this coun-
try? She has simply called attention
to the terms Of the treaty, and asked
for arbitration Of the question of con-
struction, in case this government diff
fers from the British government in
the construction to be placed upon
the language. The very men who are
so insistent upon constituting the
treaty to permit free tolls, delayed for
months the ratification Of the treaty
with Great Britain because Of their
opposition to any arbitration Of the
subject. In Other words they con-
strued the treaty to permit discrimi-
nation and then objected to allowing
any international court to express an
opinion on the subject. II, as mat
ter Of fact, the treaty grants the
1t a surrender to Great Britain for
our nation to repeal a law that raised
that question? The repeal of the law
cannot be construed to be a construc-
ton Of the treaty. 1t Is simply a re-
fusal on the part Of the United States
to raise that question in that way. In
the controversy over the Welland ca
nal. Canada withdrew discrimina-
tion which she had made in favor of
Canadian ships. In order that no
cause for friction with the United
States authorities in regard to the
matter should exist.
Presidents Hope.
why cannot the United States
withdraw discrimination for the
same reason? When the treaty in
volved was before the senate for rati-
fication an attempt was made to so
amend 1t as to permit a discrimina-
ton in favor Of coastwise vessels but
1t was voted down by decided ma
jority. With this record to support
them, it is strange that foreign ma
tions question our right to make an
exception in favor of American ves-
sels?"
Discussing the presidents right to
expect the support Of congress when
he deals with international questions,
Secretary Bryan adds:
"The chief executive speaks for the
nation in international affairs, and 1t
is only fair to assume that he speaks
advisedly when he declares that in
tercourse with other nations is seri-
ously embarrassed by the free tolls
law which ne seeks to repeal.
1--WE occupy today proud position
among the nations; we are the fore
most advocate Of peace and arbitra-
ton; we are becoming more and more
a moral factor throughout the world.
Can we afford to surrender this posi-
tion? Can we afford to be-little the
great enterprise which has reached its
consummation at the Isthmus? II
our nation desires to be measured by
intellectual and ethical standards
how unworthy to brag Of our strength
and to threaten to use that strength.
'Ye are ready to fight does not arouse
the enthusiasm now that 1t did a few
centuries ago. Brute force is not the
level upon which this nation settles
its controversies today. The question
is not what we can do but what we
ought to do. The path Of history is
strewn with the wreck Of nations that
boasted that they were all powerful.
This question must be decided on
moral principles and not by the count
ing of our regiments and battleships.
What shall it profit a nation IL it con-
quers the whole world and loses its
faith in the doctrine that righteous
ness exalteth a nation?"
Question of "Platform.'
Mr.. Bryan was a member Of the
Resolution committee of the Balti-
more convention and his observations
on the platform constitute his first
utterance on the subject. Mr.. Bryan
argues that there are two planks in
the Baltimore platform, pertinent to
the discussion, one which declares
the belief Of the Democracy party in
the encouragement of the merchant
marine, but states that it should be
developed without imposing addi-
tional burdens upon the people and
bounty or subsidies from the
public treasures" and a second plank
declaring in favor Of the exemption
from tolls Of American coastwise
ships Mr.. Bryan declares that the
opposition to bounties is doctrine
for which the Democratic party has
stood from time immemorial." He
refers to the exemption plank as
little plank" and to the pronounce
napt on houptias and cnhaidiaa aa tha