Evening star., 1898-08-10
SPLIT IN MISSOURI
Bland and His Followers May Bolt
the Convention.
his ANTI-EIPANSION SPEECH
Nevertheless 1t is Believed Stones
Platform VIII Win.
F. RST DAYS SSION

SPRINGFIELD. Mo-, August 10-It be-
came evident at the convention early today
that Congressman Bland and his followers
had broken away from Stone ON the ques-
ton of territorial expansion and had de-
clared against such a policy.
Before the state convention delegates
from the eighth tBlands) congressional dis
trict adopted resolutions favoring Bland S
foreign policy. This indicates that a strong
fight against Stones policy will be made,
both in convention and in committee. but
Notwithstanding the opposition shown. 1t
is predicted by prominent politicians that
the expansion policy plank will be adopted
Baldwin's Theater was crowded when
CHAIRMAN 5. b. Cook Of the state COM
mittee called the convention to order at
exactly noon Congressman Bland, intro
duced as temporary chairman, was received
with great applause.
BIand's Remarks.
In the course Of his address Chairman
Bland said:
What we do here today will not be con-
nned TO our state, but will have its infiu-
ehce on the whole country, so that we
should make no declaration of doctrines re-
spectIng recent issues until we have care
fuily deliberated upon Them
Mr. Bland then went at once to the Chi
cago platform, recalling the financial plank
which the people are familiar
MS domestic issue, he said must re-
main paramount until it is settled and set
tied right. We propose to make the cam
paign upon this issue. We do not propose
that plutocrats shall entangle and confuse
our minds with foreign issues We pro-
pose first. to make free and Independent
the people of the United States Ap-
piause.) We have been drawn into a war
which has already cost millions of dollars
ana put upon the common people the bur-
den of tax which Congress refused to out
upon the wealth of the country
Land-Grabbing Principles,
He SAID the sentiments expressed In the
declaration of war We're unparalleled in
the history of the world, in it's justice and
love OF humanity, and that no party ought
to survive which would undertake to lower
that standard of universal freedom of man.
hood.
We deserve the good opinion of the
world he exclaimed, but we must also
deserve the good opinion of ourselves I
nave observed tendency In some direc-
TONS to lower our principles to those of a
IanS-grabbing nation. (Faint applause)
L ne democratic party has always been the
party OF progress in the annexation of ter
for" f''-O
Reciting the history of past acquisitions
OF territory, AIR. Bland said
only land, but people. We are asked to
connect ourselves with the foreign popula-
ton unknown to our interests and pur-
poses don't want to see this convention
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 any honorable annex
alton with which we may be confronted
. II could express my personal opinion
In the platform l would declare against the
annexation 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 assume that they are not
capable of self-government. Thomas JEFF
ferson would have spat upon such an as
sumption as that"
He continued in this vein for some time
declaring his belief that eventually 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 will
and accord and Under democratic prin-
ciples.
AT the conclusion of Chairman Bland's
address committees were appointed and a
recess was taken