Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-08-11
coinage of silver" (No response from Il
croWd)
CIings to His silver Hobby.

The frost that followed this statement
seemed TO enrage him and, advancing on
the stage with arms extended, he shouted:
we do not intend to-day, or ever, 90
abandon that principle. 1t must eve- be-
paramount as domestic issue until se:-
tied" tCheers.)
The statement had supporters, but there
was no suggestion of majority. In work
ing up to another high pitch, he worried
along with fostering trusts and c0mpina-
tions, and then announced: I'VE pro-
pose to fight the battle on these lines. You
cannot for a moment rivet the pubic mind
on any new question. Give liberty ard
prosperity 10 our own people hrst, before
We go outside
The speaker recalled the expense of TIE
war ana regretted that the taxing power
reached the masses. but not the wealthy.
This called-r a history Of the income
tax. and the Efforts along that line at tne
last session Of congress. Mr.. Bland charged
the secretary of the treasury with being in
scheme TO issue bonds with which TO re-
tife the sreenhacks, but the war came on
and he was forced to abandon this plan.
The initial steps leading up TO the war
We're recalled. including cruelty 10 Cubans
and the blowing up of the Maine. The
president at last had been authorized to
use the army and navy to establish free
government i'll Cuba.
Land Grabbing Opposed.
Leave them alone when given freedom. -
urged Mr.. Bland. I'VE did not declare war
Such d declaration for humanity was never
before given on earth. 1t was an expression
from the soul of the true American and
any party that Will try to violate this will
receive deserved ana sweeping coHuemua-
ton at the hands of the people No man
IN private life can afford 10 be dishonest.
iikeWlse no nation can afford to be dis
honest in the eyes of the world TO the ex-
tent OF initiating Spanish trickery I have
seen a spirit abroad in the land TO set at
ma hos afTlls
land grabbing nation. | say The Demo
cratic party can do only one thing. and
that is 10 follow the teachings of Wash
fngton and jefferson and the Monroe
doctrine"
In response to this. there was a slight
demonstration. The speaker proceeded to
insist that the Democratic party was a
party OF territorial acquisition, but had
insisted on buying territory uninhabIted
lie wanted to acquire territory honorably
Il 90 not want 10 see this convention de-
clare Tor annexation of Porto Rico" he
continued.
This hold announcement startled the
crowd. There was painful silence. and he
proceeded. He recalled that no peace had
been declared, no treaty had been formu.
lated, no treaty had been submitted 10 the
senate. and inquired: Are We called upon
treaty? II is the duty of the Democratic
party TO oppose pitfalls of the Republican
party or go out of business"
Warns Up to His Subject.
Mr.. Bland, by this time. was in fighting
trim, and. seemingly scoring the opposi.
tion in the house of representatives In.
sisted that We are totally ignorant of AL
the islands in question, the people inha bitinl
the same and possibilities generally III,
was not certain he would take any of them
even If the people concerned wanted 10 he.
come associated with the United States
He wanted TO investigate and offered IN,
suggestion:
We must. as Democrats. leave sona
thing TO be done by our reprasentati,-as
DO you propose to leave ANYTHING for Won,
senators to do? You are going to tell then
in advance what TO do with treaty. not
yet formed. Plant yourself on the eferna
principle of right. and 90 no further I tool
this position in the house and have seer
nothing to cause me TO recant"
The Declaration of Independence was ther
quoted and jefferson eulosized for havin,
comprehended civil liberty
Mr.. BInnd's Final Appeal.
I'VE should not assume the people O
these islands are incapable of self-govern
ment," declared the speaker, and then n
inquired: DO you want to establish a car
petbag government in those various isl
ands? He denounced this as the schem
OF plutocrats who Were the direct descend
ants of Hamilton. He was alarmed owe
the inevitable increase of the army an
the enormous expense attending propuset
territorial expansion. He finally expresse
the belief that Cuba and Porto Rico woul
come in in due time, and when they want
ed TO come let them come. These question
should be handled by the national coTren