New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-01
HAS BRYAN STEPPED INTO
OBLIVION?
Chauncey M. Depew in the Current
Issue of "Leslie's Weekly"

For the two years and half during which
Mr.. Bryan held the Office of Secretary Of
State at Washington our government showed
itself singulary Indifferent 70 the rights Of
American citizens in foreign countries and,
in a way, hostile TO their moving in other
lands and establishing themselves there In
business. What little encouragement had
been given to these enterprising Americans
by previous administrations was contemptu-
ously styled dollar diplomacy"
| do not want TO do any injustice, but
have been told by several who have appealed
TO the State Department that they had been
received codly and practically informed that
the place for an American was in his own
country and that when he went to a foreign
country and established himself there in
business he did so at his own risk. Unless
the old Roman doctrine becomes the estab-
lshed rule of the United States and unless the
American flag means as much IS the Amer
lean citizen who is doing business in foreign
countries as the British or the German flag
does to the subjects of those countries in
foreign lands, our congresses and conven-
tons with the representatives Of those coun-
tries for the purpose of promoting trade and
intercommunication have no practical value.
but are only interesting and entertaining op-
portunities for exhibition of the rainbow and
Aurora Borealis of international oratory.
Now comes the resignation of Mr.. Bryan.
When one has reached my time of life and
been active in affairs from the time he
reached his majority, precedent and histori-
cal parallels greatly interest him. In the
Mexican War, in the war between the states,
in the Spanish War, the actions and senti-
ments Of the people have always been the
They do this without regard to party affi,ia-
tons or approval or disapproval of his other
policies, measures and administrative acts.
The President represents for the time
being the honor and integrity, the rights and
safety Of the country The people trust him
absolutely on this question of the war and
rally with unanimity and patriotic ardor to
his support. They brush aside with i'm
patience and anger any effort, even from
their greatest idol, which they think may
embarrass him. | remember as if it were
yesterday when Horatio Seymour, one OF the
ablest and most brilliant statesmen of his
period, who had carried the State OF New
York and been elected Governor, declared
against Lincoln's emancipation proclamation
and other drastic movements to prosecute
the war. Governor Seymour believed the
policies Of Lincoln subversive of the Consti-
tuition, OF the reserved rights Of the states
and the liberty Of the individual. He was de-
feated for Governor and subsequently for
President. The views which he advocated
had been the doctrines taught him by a
Democratic father and which had practically
governed the country almost since its or
ganization. But in the minds Of the people
they were distractions TO what they believed
to be tho Presidents purpose.
SO now, when American ships have been
torpedoed and sunk, and American men,
women and children rightfully and lawfully
on tho ocean have been killed. the reasons
given at length by Mr.. Bryan for his resigna-
ton have no weight. They are carefully but
regretfully read Peace and platitudes. side
stepping the facts, other possible considera-
lions. near or remote, DO not for a moment
obscure or divert American opinion. It goes
directly 20 the mark like a bullet from the
rifle of a frontiersman Of the Revolution.
The President has stated the American
position and the American demand, and i'm
patient Of argument or delay the people
sohdly support the President.