The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-11
FINANCE CONES FIRST
Silver Dick Secedes From
kurnel BiIIStone.
OPPOSES LAND-GRABBING
But, of Course, Annexation, if
Sought, is Another Thing.

Springfield, No, Aug lot became EVIL
dent early today that Congressman Bland
and his followers had broken away from
| Stone on the question of territorial ex-
pansion and had declared against such a
/ policy. Before the state convention met
the delegates from the Eighth (Bland' s.
congressional district adopted resolutions
| favoring the Bland foreign policy. This
| indicates that strong fight against
| Stones policy viii be made, both in con-
vention and In committee, but norwith-
standing the opposition shown it is pre-
dicted by prominent politicians that the
expansion policy plank will be adopted
Baldwins theater was crowded when
Chairman B. 8. Cook, of the state COM
mittee, called the convention to order at
exactly noon.
Congressman Richard P. Bland, intro
duced as temporary chairman, was re-
ceived with great applause. In the course
of his address, Chairman Bland said:
What we do here today will not be con-
fined to our state, but viii have its in
fuence on the whole country, so that we
should make no declarations Of doctrines
respecting recent issues until we have
carefully deIberated upon them"
Mr.. Bland then went at once to the
Chicago platform, recalling the financial
plank, and declaring anew arguments
with which the people are familiar.
This domestic ISSUE he said, must
remain paramount until 1t is settled, and
settled right. We propose 20 make the
campaign upon this issue. We do not
propose that plutocrats shall entanglle and
confuse our minds with foreign issues.
We propose first to make free and indie
pendent the people of the United States.
(Applause)
1--WE have been drawn into a war which
has already cost millions Of dollars. and
put upon the common people the burden
of tax which congress refused to put up
on the wealth of the country"
He said the sentiments expressed in the
declaration of war were unparalleled In
the history of the world in its justice and
love Of humanity. and that no party
ought to survive which would undertake
to lower that standard of universal free
dom of manhood.
1--WE deserve the good opinion OF the
world" he exclaimed, "but we must also
deserve the good opinion of ourselves. I
have observed a tendency in some direc-
tons to lower our principles to those of
a iand-grabbing nation faint applause)
The Democratic party has always been
the party of progress in the annexation
of territory, but it was territory bought
and paid for
Reciting the history of past acquisitions
of territory Mr.. Bland said:
"But we are asked today to acquire not
only land. but people We are asked to
connect ourselves with foreign popula-
poses. T don't want to see this conven-
ton declare itself IN favor of annexing
Cuba or Porto Rico or the Philippines
At the same time do not wish US to
declare in favor of closing the doors to
annexation with which we
may be confronted.
I'VE may make a declaration here for
which we may he sorry before the year
IS out. But we can declare our adherence 1
TO the Monroe doctrine, and no party or
power can assail US IN imposing It. IF 7
could express my personal opinion in the
platform I would declare against the an
nexation Of Cuba, Porto Rico or the Phil
ippine islands. and that when we shall
have wrested these islands from the Span
ish government they should be allowed
to govern themselves. We are not to as
sumo that they are not capable Of self
government. Thomas Jefferson would have
spat upon such an assumption as that"
He continued in this vein for some time,
declaring his belief that even tua1ly Cuba |
and Porto Rico would come into our coun- |
try. but he desired no declaration on that
question until these territories were pre- |
pared to come in of their own free win |
and accord and under democratic prin- |
ciples
At the conclusion OF Chairman BANDS |
address. committees were appointed and |
a recess was taken until 2:3o p m
The weather is always doing something. !
So is Hoods Sarsaparilla- 1t cures daily. |