The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923, November 10, 1905, Image 1
mmmmmpam The Commoner. WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR Vol. 5. No. 43 Lincoln, Nebraska, November 10, 1905 Whole Number 25 CONTENTS Toe Revolution in Russia What Abom the Equitable? Was He S abed In 1904 ? " If You Have Stolen a Sueep " Is The Democratic Party Dying ? Greatest Good to Greatest Number Oklahoma and the Primary Pledge "TVno Feel Great Truths and Tell Thkm" Cheaper Insurance Comment on Current Topics TnE Primary Pledge News op the Week WAS HE SCARED IN 1904? -v. Testifying before New York's insurance com mittee John A. McCall of the New York Life insurance company sought to justify his contribu tions to the republican campaign fund on the ground that the country was "threatened" with bimetallism, and that the policyholders of this company would suffer a great loss with the estab lishment of that principle. But the New Haven (Ct.) Union reminds Mr. McCall that this does not explain the contribu tion of the $48,000 in the campaign of 1904. The Union points out that Mr. Parker was a gold man, was committed to the gold standard and by his gold telegram had practically committed the democratic national convention to the gold stand ard. While the Union says that Mr. Parker's gold telegram was one of the powerful factors that led to his defeat, it insists that that tele gram "was proof positive for President McCall that the safety vaults of the treasury department of the New York Life Insurance company could remain closed during the national campaign to all appeals from political leaders for financial help." The union adds: "We should think under the circumstances that the, republicans who are numbered among the policyholders of the New York Life should rise in rebellion against this wastQ of the good cash of the New York Life. It was like throwing away so much money. Parker would have protected and have lived up to the gold standard policy if he had been elected presi dent just as faithfully as the republican standard bearer. McCall was actually on Easy street in the last national campaign, but he apparently wasn't aware of the fact." JJJ PROMISES MADE TO BE BROKEN Every now and then an administration organ inadvertently reveals the g. o. p. plans in the Philippines. The Lincoln, Neb., Star, a republican organ whose owner is evidently close to the ad ministration, being ambassador to Brazil, says: "If as Congressman Payne says, there is nothing for us to do but to hold the Philippine islands till the natives are ready for self-government, we may as well quit fiddling and settle down to gov erning them permanently." Then all these prom ises of future independence count for nothing just like a vast lot of other republican promises. If the Filipinos can be kept quiet by holding out promises th.t the administration has no inten tion of keeping, all right. If they detect the imposition and emulate the example of the men who rebelled against government without consent along about 1776, "burn and kill all over ten." " is certainly a beautiful example of "liberty, Jw ?im' self'overnment and national honor," mat the Star maps out for this government. f r -v - in V. .v tf 5 . - as, uV?- yv(C c j - r, . . U&&& w jr-cr"-. .- f 1 9 ri I i But Can They Hold Him? THE REVOLUTION IN RUSSIA However much the "extremists" of Russia may seek to minimize thu importance of the re forms promised in the czar's latest manifesto, no one will deny that this is tT e nearest ap proach to effective relief ever suggested in a Russian proclamation. The manifesto issued by the czar, under the inspiration furnished by Premier Witte, must be interpreted .a connection with the necessities ai . the temper of the Russian people; and so it has been interpreted by the civilized world, fn this view, then, such a revolution in Russian af fairs has been brought about that October 30, 1905, the day on- which the czar's .now famous proclamation was issued, will stand as one of the important milestones on the pathway along which men struggle to obtain possession of their own. Indeed, men of peace are almost prepared to give thanks for the fact of tl.e Japanese-Russian war, unde. the impression that no influence other than that great contest with all of its surprising results could have- shaken tne Russian throne and aroused its occupa-t from his slumbers. Throughout the civilized world men appear to have confidence in Witte, ana at this moment Witte appears to be the power behind the throne. When he visited America as Russia's peace com missioner, we were told that in t!.e circles where autocrats most do congregate he was unpopular, and that in accordance with the rules of Rus sian aristocracy his good wife wa barred from what in Russia was regarded ns polite society. But in the discharge of his duties as peace com missioner Witte acquitted Tiimself so well, vin ning for his countrymen unexpected favors, that upon his return he found that he had secured, in court circles as well as amoni; the populace, a prestige which he had not previously or alto gether enjoyed. It is not at all surprising that this man who displayed sucli skill in dealing with the repre sentatives of Japan, and won the hearts of the American people, should, upon his return to Rus sia, employ Lis great talents in behalf of his suf . fering countrymen and bring his Influence to bear upon the czar so long surrounded by men who would not tell him the truth and upon whoso advice ho could not depend if he were, In fact, anxious to deal justly with his people. The seriousness of the reforms promised In the czar's latest manifesto depends much upon the activities and the co-operrttloi of the Rus sian people." If "revolutions never go backwards," autocracies do not surrender without a struggle; and whether it be the autocracies of the court circles of Europe or the plutocracies in free America, men who strive for "the greatest good to the greatest number" must always remember that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." Doubtless Witte understands this thoroughly, yet while ho is required to meet at every turn the machinations of the skillful reresentatlves of autocracy, it will be, indeed, a great surprise if he is not at the same time embarrassed by the criticisms and, perhaps, in some instances, the open antagonism of some of the very men in whose behalf he Is struggling. But the man who acquitted himself as Witte did 'In the peace conference at Portsmouth, the man who was able to open the eyes of the czar of Russia, the man who seems to realize that he has a mission to perform with respect to his countrymen, is certainly not the man to be de terred by the schemes of the natural enemy or discouraged by the embarrassments put upon him by those who should bo his ardent supporters. In the czar's latest proclamation a great vic tory for popular government has been won. Fair ly Interpreted that proclamation means the de thronement of the Russian aristocracy, constitu- ,!' V .