Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-08-18
HON. r. p. BLAND.
with Spain.


At the conclusion of the prayer,
Chairman Cook presented Richard Z.
Bland as temporary chairman. There
was great applause as Mr.. Bland stepped
to the speakers table aud commenced
addressing the convention. He spoke
for nearly an hour, and was applauded
frequently. His speech throughout
was dispassionate and, concerning the
new features which confront the party,
partook more of an argument than an
oratorical effort.
The effect of what we do will extend all over
the country he said. and we should not formu-
late platform on new ideas without mature
deliberation."
He then took up the contest at Chicago in 1895
over the platform, the chief aim OF which was
for the restoration of liberal system Of cur
reucy. the free and unlimited coinage of gold
and silver.
I'VE must not lose sight of these issues" he
declared, and they must be paramount until
they settled. We should make the cam
paign this year on these issues. and not foreign
ones growing out OF the war, which will tend to
confuse the party. Rather. our aim should be
to give liberty and prosperity to overtaxed and
over-burdened Americans
"Unhappily, it seems. we were drawn into a
war that has already cost US about 1900 900. 600
and a taxing system that places the burden on
the masses, and not on the wealth of the coun-
try. The republican members of congress would
not vote to put an income tax on the wealth of
the land
Mr. Bland took up the resolution declaring
war against Spain, and that it's aim was in the
interests of humanity and human freedom. In
his opinion, it would require the United States
to withdraw her armies from Cuba when peace
had been declared and the Cubans had estab-
Hshed government Of their own.
THERE'S now a spirit abroad in the land he
declared, calculated to degenerate a war in
augurated in the interest of humanity and free
dom into a land-2rabbing enterprise.
The questions that will come before the
convention are grave but the democratic party
can do but thing. and that Is to follow the
doctrine and teachings of Jefferson and Wash
ington-
But the democratic party has always been a
party of peaceful annexation. The Louisiana
purchase was made by Jefferson. and the terri
tory was paid for; and the territory acquired
from Mexico was also paid for, and even an at
tempt was made to treat with the Savages. But
all these acquisitions constituted land that was
necessary to the American citizens, so that
monarches could not be planted alongside of
US.
Now are face to face with the acquisi-
tion, not only of land. but also of people. and
what applies to Cuba also applies to Porto
Rico do MT want this convention declare
that shall annex Cuba. Porto Rico or the
Philippines
The war is not over. We are told that terms
OF peace are pending. but think il will be long
after the November election before the treaty
is signed.
Must make a treaty, or ratlfy one the
republicans expect to make2 Are ready to
ratify treaty that will take in the Philip
pines: II so. we must abandon the Monroe Doc
trine. Are we ready for Porto Rico when we
know nothing about it? II the people there de-
sire to become a part of our country. then
would not oppose the move. if 1 considered it
to the interest OF the American people. 1t IS
said that Porto Rico has a debt of $780,
100000, and if we should annex it we would.
under international law. be honorably bound
30 pay it. 1 do not know that Porto Rico
is worth much money. Has it come to
this pass, that the democratic party of Missouri
can not wait and trust something to their sena-
tors who will have to consider the treaty, and
sheir members of congress, who may have to
enact laws to carry the treaty into effect? If
we knew all the facts the war may present to-
day, then we might intelligently deal with them
to-day. Three months from now, when We I'M
derstand the conditions, may be sorry if we
outline policies to-day.
Il would say that we want a harbor and coal
ing privileges at the Philippines. but that
neither Cuba, Porto Rico nor Philippines be
annexed. I made that statement in a speech
delivered in congress, and have not changed my
views since
Mr.. Bland then went on 20 say that we have
no right 10 say that the Cubans can not govern
themselves. 1t Is not the prerogative OF this
government to establish military and carpet
bag rule in Cuba.
Jefferson would have spat on such a PROPOSE
tion, declared the speaker. But 1 believe the
day is coming" continued Mr.. Bland, when
Cuba and Porto Rico will be part OF our gov
eminent. 1t is said such is their desire. II so,
when the war is over, L would not close the
doors on them"
In conclusion, Mr.. Eland said that
whatever the democratic party may do,
he will abide by it.
A short address of welcome was de-
livered by Mayor Hall, and he was fol-
lowed by Guy Kirby, the local demo-
cratic Demosthenes, who pleased the
convention very much.
Hugh ]. Brady, of St Louis, was rec
ognized to move that the congressional
districts be called to name members of
the various committees. Much inter-
est was manifested in names called out
for members of the committee on plat
form and resolutions, which were as
follows:
w. S. McClintock, Marion; j. M.
johnson, Linn; J. w. Alexander, Da-
viess: r G. Woodson, Buchanan; Park