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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1904)
The Commoner. WILLIAM J, BRYAN, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER. . : Vol. -4t N0.V40. Lincoln, Nebraska, October 21, 1904. Whole Number 196 ' 1 y " .- JtfHi WORD WITH DEMOCRATS... ' Every man is responsible for tils Influence, bo , ' v It small or great Every democrat who votes for Parker votes to defeat Roosevelt. Every democrat who does not vote for Parker contributes toward the election of Roosevelt On every question upon which Judge Parker's position is open to criticism, President Roosevelt's position Is worse; where they differ, as they do on many important ques tions, Parker Is right and Roosevelt is wrong. Roosevelt favors a high tariff; Parker favors tariff reform. Roosevelt favors a standing army of 60,000 at tho minimum; Parker favors a reduction of the army. Roosevelt has brought the race issue into na tional politics; Parker would remove the race issue from politics. Roosevelt stands for a colonial policy; Parker favors independence for the Filipinos and would make the promise now. Watson's Letter of Acceptance On another page will be found the letter of acceptance of Hon. Thomas E. Watson, the popu list candidate for the presidency. Mr. "Watson has discussed with great ability tho issues as he sees them. He has called attention to the en croachments of organized wealth and vividly pic tured the economic evils which must be remedied. He has, however, neglected to give to militarism, imperialism and the race issue the emphasis which they deserve. He thinks that tho democratic -party jean not bo relied upon for relief and that Mr, Bryan ought to join the populist party, or, at least,' oppose Judge Parker. Mr. Bryan gave this Bubject careful consideration before he took a position anil believes that he can better aid econ. omlc reform by supporting Judge Parker than ho could by helping t.Q elect. Mr. Roosevelt whether he gave the assistance directly by voting for tho republican nominee or indirectly by voting for the populist nominee. Four years more of Roose velt means four years more of a large army and an Increasing nayy; it means four years more of imperialism with danger of foreign complications and such domestic imitations as we are having in Colorado; it means four years more race issue ac centuated and intensified; it means four years more of war spirit in the white house which may at any time Involve the nation in unnecessary conflict with other nations. Mr. Bryan can not help his country or those with whom he has been associated by assuming responsibility for four years more of Rooseveltism. "Whenever Judge Parker Is open to criticism President Roosevelt is worse. While Judge Parker's election does not promise all that Mr. Bryan would desire, it does promise several things of value.- ' ,. - It promises a reduction of the army. This will reduce taxation and remove from the laboring class the. menace of the present policy. Judge Parker's election promises relief, from" the race Issue and this will permit the demo crats of the south to turn their thoughts again to economic questions. It will also rid the country of imperialism and insure a return to tho sacred doctrine of self-government, and it will notify thp world that the nation has returned to its -former ideal and will seek to influence other nations by example rather than by force. With these things accomplished the way will bo open for the discussion of economic questions. Thoso who desire reform must consider not only the reforms but also tho best means of reaching them. Mr. Watson, looking at the .subject from his standpoint, thinks that the defeat of Judge Parker will accelerate reform even If Jt results in Mr. Roosevelt's election. Mr. Bryan believes that. Judge Parker's election would hasten reforms by removing issues that now block the way. In 1894 Mr. Bryan advocated the endorsement of the popu list candidate for governor in Nebraska because any other course would have given indirect aid to the republicans. He now supports the democratic candidate, though differing from him on some ques tions, and by. so doing hopes ti as3is,t .'n defeating the republican candidate who stands for the rulo of money under a reign of force. JJJ Rooseveltism Now that It has been formally announced that In tho ovent of Mr. Roosovolt's election, John Hay will continue as secretary of state, it Is interesting to read in tho Chicago Inter Ocean, a republican paper, the following editorial: Secretary Hay's address heforo tho Inter national peace congress at Boston on Monday meant that Mr. Hay had another, great project for meddling In other nations' business. Ap parently he now proposes to have the United States lead a movoment to interfere in tho Orient, ostensibly for peace. The war in the Orient is absolutely none of our business as a nation. Whatever may bo our feelings and sympathies as individuals, as long as our own national Interests are not impaired, wo ought to stand aside and give no sign, whether the Japanese drive tho Russians . out of Asia or the Russians drive the Japanese into the Pacific ocean. To endeavor to convince Mr. Hay of this fact Is probably useless. By nature and edu cation he has been disqualified to grasp it. However, Mr. Roosevelt must understand tho perilousness of Mr. Hay's program. Ho must see that sooner or later Mr. Play's attempt to play the part of special providence all around the earth will cause his administration to be regarded with alarm at home and the country ' to be viewed abroad as a professional busy body, of about the caliber of Franco under Na poleon III, and with about tho same desire for trouble. Before we are slapped In the face under circumstances that compel us to fight or crawl, can't we learn to mind our own business? Does the Inter Ocean really imagine that if Mr. Hay has a great project for meddling In other nations' affairs and intends to have tho United States lead a movement to interfere In the Orient, Mr Roosevelt -would discourage his efforts? ' Mr. Roosevelt Is very fond of war; wo have his word for that. Tho disposition to meddle with the affairs of other nations ascribed to Mr. Hay by tho Inter Ocean editor is distinctly tho Roose velt disposition. If the editor- of the inter Ocean hopes to impress Mr. Hay with the Idea that wo should "mind our own business" he will find It "necessary to select as an instructor some one other1 than the present occupant of the white house. JJJ "Bares Crime In Mines" is the staring headline the Chicago Record-Herald puts over its tele graphed, story of tho alleged confession of Robert -Romaine, who said he exploded the powder at Independence station and killed fourteen men. . Has the Record-Herald given similar prominence i to the Veal facts about Romalne?,. . Roosevelt took Into the white house a spirit of war; judgo Parker would substitute fof it a spirit of peace. Four years more of Roosevelt would make economic and industrial reform more difficult; Judgo Parker's election would clear tho way for economic issues. Let no democrat, by voting against Parker or by refusing to vote, take Upon himsolf responsibility for four ycjirs more of Rooseveltism. , The Virus of War It Is announced that tho "national board for tho promotion of riflo practice" will meet at the war department Saturday, Octobor 22. Wo are told ''this board is composed of twenty-ono mem bers, including five raembora from tho regular army and navy establishment, eight trustees of the National Rlfio association and olght members from tho country at large. It was authorized by con gress in order that tho army and navy, tho mllltla and civilians Interested In rifle practice might be drawn into closer communication and that ways and means might bo devised by which tho inter est of tho general public in rlil6 practice might be stimulated." ' Congress appropriated funds for tho purchase of a national trophy to be shot for annually under regulations proparcd by tho board. A statement issued under authority of the board says that at . the coming meeting steps will be' taken for the preparation of a bill to be submitted to congress early in December providing for the catrylng out of tho plans of tho board. We are told that these plans are "very comprehensive" and "begin with tho .education of boys in military schools and provide for tho encouragement of rifle practice for both civilians and members of the militia on a large and liberal scale." Tho authorized statement says: "The board recommends the establishment of shooting gal leries and field ranges; tho distribution of arms and ammunition; supervision and Instruction; in ducement for practice, such as trophies, badges, etc.; and, the publication and distribution of lit erature bearing on this subject. As an Initial step In this direction the board recommends an annual appropratlon of one million dollars for five years to be expended in the purchase of equip ment of ranges under the direction of the secre tary of war." Tho statement quotes Assistant Secretary of War Oliver as saying; "It Is all important that the soldier should know how to shoot and to hit what he shoots at," also "a high degree of skill in rifle and revolver shooting and the confidence which a knowledge of this skill brings will make a timid man brave and a bravo man more cour ageous." This Is Rooseveltism plain and simple. Mr. Roosevelt once said that a soldier should not only be willing but anxious to fight; and here wo have a board appealing to congress for an ap-r proprlation of ?1,000,000 each year for the purpose of impressing upon the youth of tho land the idea that the important thing for the citizen to leant is to shoot and shoot well. Does It not occur to the thoughtful citizen that In this matter of war and tho training of our youth for war wo are "spinning a web infernally flno?M Would it not be better to train our boys la the arte of peace? It Is not the ability to discharge firearms with 'unerring aim that makes a timid man brave or a brave man more courageous. ' The knowledge that his cause is just, the consciousness that he h&f it ;'l ?J NU4U4ikJtlk BV