The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-01
Ten Millions by Christmas.

In spite Of the snow, the Boston anti
imperialists are marching on. They point
with pride to the fact that In one short week
two hundred signatures have been obtained
TO a petition against annexation. The Hon.
ERvrNG WINsIow, the Secretary Of the
Anti-Annexation League, estimates that at
this rate there will be at least ten million
signatures by Christmas. It is probable,
however, that for the purpose Of saving
time. postage and labor, the League will de-
eide that everybody who has not signed by
Christmas shall be considered as having
signed. II two hundred Massachusetts,
Mugwumps do not represent the public
opinion OF the United States, what lie the
use of public opinion |?
The Hon. ALADDIN ATKINSON, who now
uses o genuine Malay creese when dem
cnstrating veal outlets in his lectures on
his celebrated oven, says that 1.-THE can
vass thus far shows that a large majority,
perhaps rs per cent, Of the voters here
abouts are now ready to sign the protest
which the League is circulating" Now,
anybody who knows Mr.. ATKINSON as a
cook of what he calls food, or of what he
calls statistics, knows that he habitually
uIutTtEblIndItS. Il Is wv COHSS NdblNt. IL
he says rs per cent. he must be perfectly
sure of 100 per cent. Instead OF Mr.. ERvINa
WINsLow's ten millions, there ought to be
at least seventy millions OF signatures by
Christmas, IL the League does its duty.
The Executive Committee with
~pardonable pride that "even South Dakota
has been heard from" 1t has been heard
from before. There is in South Dakota a
powerful ~antl-annexation party composed
of the Hon. RICHARD FRANKLIN PErTIaREw,
the man whose opposition to the annexation
of Hawaii was so successful. PErTIGREw is
making his stand by the Constitution. His
situation Is critical and he needs all the
help the League can give him. Hawaii
crowds him. The Philippines will dump
him overheard. Perhaps there is cork
enough in the pate Of the Anti-Annexation
League to keep him afloat.
Tennessee has also "been heard FROM"
The Leaguers are greatly encouraged by
getting a signature from Tennessee. Yet
in spite of the Hon. BENTON MCMILLAN and
his Roman p~roconsuls, Tennessee is not
rallying as she should rally around the
Constitution Of the Anti-Annexation League.
The Anti-Annexationists called a meeting
Of Chattanooga business men last week and
moved that annexation would be injurious
to the United States. Sad to say, the vote
was in favor Of annexation.
But there will be no relenting Of the fury
ofsthe ant~i-annexation anvas in Massa-
chusetts. The Hon. GAMAnIEn BRADFORD,
fdrum ct reasonable n0men, has a night school
in South Boston already and Is teaching
writing and anti%-annexation. Thus will the
number OF signatures to the swelling pro-
test Of the League be increased.
As a specimen of the wisdom that cries out
In Boston, this extract from an address de-
livered by Col. THOMAS WENTWORTH HIa-
GINsoS is worth preserving:
1.-THE late war was begun by reason Of the destruc-
ton of the Maine. and yet scientific opinion is almost
unanimous to-day that the Maine was destroyed not
from the exterior but from the interior"
In the same way the Massachusetts anti
lmperialists believe that the country is al
most unanimous against annexation. Queer
birds! Ten millions by Christmast~