Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1899 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

WHAT DEMOCRACY |JAV DO. t By its bold defiance of jniblic opinloß the Republican party li rabidly paving the way for Democratic success in the next Presidential election. It Is generally conceded by the shrewdest observers of political events that if a successor to McKinley had .to be chosen now the Democratic candidate, no (natter what financial plank he stood on, would win. ' ;W V T Ji * There may be a change of opinion in favor of the Republicans within the next fifteen months, of course, but if there is not, the man who will get the nomination of the next regular Democratic national convention win he elected to the Presidency. The drift of popular feelings is all that way. The people are alarmed at the rapid growth of the trusts, they are disgusted With Algerian), with imperialism and with the Various other isms that Republicanism has fostered. With this advantage, however, on their side, Democrats ought to be careful about both their candidates and their platform, and it is not too eirly to call attention to the necessity of harmonious action. Factional differences certainly should disappear, and William J, Bryan's remarks at Buffalo ought to be seriously studied all over the country. He struck the right note when he said that he regarded it as urgent that “every Democrat of New York should rally to the party and give assurance of bis support to the next national platform, whether it will be that of 1896, pore and simple, or whether it will be that of 1896, modified or added 1 to.” The Republican party to-day stands, as Mr. Bryan further explained in this same speech, for all the monopolistic tendencies of the times, concentrated wealth and un-American expansion, to all of which (Democracy is opposed. There should, consequently, be no difficulty whatever for the party which believes In government by the masses and not by the selfish classes to present a united, unbroken front at the next Presidential election and achieve a decided victory. As matters are to-day, only petty rivalries and squabbles can prevent the election of a Democratic President in 1900. Let the disturbers of party harmony be notified now that they are not wanted and let them be cast out We shall be stronger without them than with them.—New York New*.

Conclusive Comparison. The American revolutionists had not a tenth part the moral justification for waging war on their king that the Filipino people would have in drawing the sword against a foreign government which had proclaimed sovereignty over them. King George, whatever his sins, did not attempt to sell our ancestors and their country to some foreign power. Samuel Adams, James Otis and Patrick Henry were not suddenly confronted with a claim of sovereignty by France, Russia or Spain. The state of civilization among the Filipinos does not affect their moral right to contest a sudden claim of sovereignty over them by the United States, any more than the lack of Parisian manners among the American colonists would have affected their right to rebel against the king of France had he claimed their allegiance after nine months’ acquaintance. Bnt the responsibility of the present attitude of the Filipinos cannot be shaken from the shoulders of William McKinley. Not only has be negotiated a treaty which transfers their country for |20,000,000 to the United States, in spite of their most emphatic and long-con-tinued protest, but he has publicly proclaimed to them his purpose of “assimilation.” If be now persists in imitating the blundering old British king in refusing to aoopt a more moderate policy, and thus drive the Filipinos to a straggle against foreign conquerors, his administration will have earned a terrible retribution at the hands of the American people.—Springfield Republican, Ideal Kind of TrMt If the trusts and combines could be organised with a normal capitalization, if honest and capable management of them could be assured, and if their shares could be scattered among the thousands of laboring men and others interested in their business, so that their profits could ne diffused, the country would have a better industrial system, even from the idealist’s point of view, than could ever exist under direct government control of industries, or by any socialist scheme that could be devised, for then the incentive to thrift and Industry would not be lost, while all men would have equal ehances in the struggle for life in proportion to their abilities. Bnt the obstacles to this consummation seem insuperable.—Kansas City Star. fAiidht flannfnpfiKin la hnt annfhai*

allty and considerable magnetism. H« Is loyal to those friends who assist him in political crookedness and a bitter enemy to those who oppose him. So lon* a» he is allowed to baye possession of the plmn tree, he is willing to shake It liberally for his friends, who are allowed to pick up enough plums to stimulate their appetite for another shake. Quay is the most audacious politician in America, and appears to have been born without moral bias. He stands bpldly up for all that Is Iniquitous In public life. Fe Is a national shame, and yet the Republican party hail with: pride a man who has hopelessly debauched the politics of the great State of Pennsylvania, and who regards Legislatures and Governors as so much merchandise. Case of the Minnesotans. The point has now been reached when appeal must be made, not to any disposition on the part of the administration at Washington to avoid the consequences of its violation of the terms of the Thirteenth Minnesota’s enlistment nor to any disposition on Its part to do voluntarily what It has so long delayed and avoided doing, but to the absolute constitutional principle that our citizens shall not be wrongfully restrained of their liberties by any power, State or national. We are not as yet living under an autocracy, and there is no power, civil or military, which can be allowed with impunity to infringe on these men’s dearest civil rights.—St Paul Globe. Rooaevett Pefore and After. Like many others, Governor Roosevelt hurled academic bombs at the corporations, but when the actual test came between them and the people and there was an opportunity to do something practical be failed to place himself on the side of the people. It is easy to score great, grasping corporate combinations in an after-dinner speech or an ante-election address. It is another thing to De firm and true when there comes a crisis that compels men to reveal their real characters by compelling them to take action. As Governor Mr. Roosevelt has not fulfilled expectations.—Denver News.

New Jer»ye’» Shame. New Jersey does not send forth ablebodied men authorized to harass and despoil the people of other States in the Union, but she does what is quite as offensive and much more effective. She authorizes incorporated bodies to do an illegal business beyond her own borders and makes such authorization a source of large profit to her treasury. New Jersey is thus making a name for herself which must bring the blush of shame to every high-minded citizen of that State.—Philadelphia Reeord. McKinley ot a Free Aa-ent. It Is hinted that the President would like to retrace his steps, even to the abandonment of the Philippine Islands, but the syndicates that are planning to secure the millions of acres of highly productive agricultural lands, the mountains’ minerals and the forests of valuable woods will permit no backdown from the original policy of treating the natives as the Indians were treated in this country.—Kansas City Times. Brio ai na Coarta Into Contempt. The Quay jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and yet there was probably not a man on the jury who was not convinced in his own mind that Quay was guilty. This Is another of those cases which tend to weaken respect for our judicial system. The people see the defendant go free, believing him guilty beyond question. They know he can command money and influence to an almost unlimited extent They put this and that together. And who can blame them?—lndianapolis Sentinel. A Rock Ahead of McKinley. Sooner or later the attempt to hold and rule the Philippines as a subjugated colony must and will be given up, for time and events are sure to demonstrate to the American people its utter folly and enormous cost both In Mood and treasure. The sooner President McKinley begins to study the problem of bow to unload bis Philippine policy the better It will be for him. For unless he shall get rid of It betimes it is sure to break bis political neck.—Grand Rapids Democrat. Poor Work for American Foldiera. Panning almost helpless savages through the jangle, burning their villages and killing every man, woman and child to be relieved of the burden of caring for prisoners, is very much different from charging up San Juan hill agalns* a trained foe. That’s the reason that there are no crowds around tbe bulletin boards now, eager for tbe latest news from Manila, as there were last summer when we were fighting the Spanish.—Utlea Observer. Mistake of a Mock-Worried Mas. From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Mr. McKinley says that many opportunities are awaiting yonng men, but perhaps what he meant to say was that many yonng men are awaiting opportunities. A President with so much on his mind may occasionally get things “wmtig end to ” R vioeiiT—T McKinley’s policy assimilation” all copies of the Declaration of Independence should be edited by tbe press censor before being admitted ' a it'-'" .■ • ''’.7?: ?'JZ: ■■ '