The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-06-17

people if this expansion was allowed to
continue. Imperialism by all means if
it meant mercy, humanity, justice, but if
it meant our own demoralization, the
lowering Of our standard Of humanity,
then in the name OF all we held precious
beware OF it and resist it (cheers).
What was the sense OF making a new
Empire at the Equator, and throwing
money into new tropical enterprises
when they were at the same time taking
the taxpayers money to bolster up the
old tropical enterprises in the West In
dies? (Cheers.) Oh, it was said, "We
are giving you new markets." and there
was report ISSUED recently as to the
new markets in the Soudan. He could
not imagine anything more grotesque
than this attempt to hoodwink the Brit
isl people by promising that even three
acres and a COW would be found in the
Soudan Qaughter) Apart from all these
delusions as to markets and interests
and SO on, there was another side. The
direction OF the public excitement into
wrong channels made all talk OF social
reform complete moonshine. One word
as to the Transvaa. A considerable
anxiety had pcrvadcd the public mind
for some time on the subject OF the
Transvaal We were now on the eve OF
a conference between the British repre-
sentative in South Africa and the Presi-
dent OF the South African Republic, and
perhaps at such a moment as this the
less that anybody said the better. But
i'll face OF the arrogant and truculent
nonsense which was admitted by jour
nails OF importance about ultimatums
and about war, there could be perhaps
no harm in saying this much that the
case bristles with fairly disputablc
points, and that ii we insisted on every
one OF those dsputable points in every
document being construed exactly in our
own sense If we refused any understand
ing which was not an understanding
from top to bottom upon our own
terms, he did not think that that was a
position OF which the people OF this
country when the time came would
approve. He confessed that his mind
eye turned more than anywhere else TO
that old town in Holland where
dipomatists we're now assembled TO try
il they could find some alleviation at
least OF that great curse which at pres
cnt weighed not only on Europe, but
on other parts of the world. He hoped
that Holland, following the example OF
days gone. might be the scene once
more OF Il great and memorable contri-
button to the cause OF human progress.
Everyone without distinction or party
hoped that Lord Salisbury would do all
that he could. He was sure Lord Sails
bury's skill and courage in coming to
an understanding with France and Rus
STA about various points and controvcr-
sial matters was a good omen. 1t
showed that he was on the side OF Il
reduction OF all mischicfs and mscrics
OF war; but he was disappointed in some
signs OF opinion in this country. 1t
seemed to him that for the moment a
change had come over tho ideals OF
a portion OF the people OF this country
Even the demon Of war now found
those who could say smooth things OF
it. He regretted to have learned that at
a meeting OF the Congregational body
it was said that there were worse things
than war. The clergy OF the Church OF
England, too. were less strenuous than
before in their advocacy OF peace, and
it would not be surprising if in the fu-
ture the old toast OF "Thc Navy, the
Army, and the Reserve Forces were
altered to the Navy. the Army, the
Reserve Forces, and the Ministers OF all
Denominations" Caughter) But let
the Conference do or try to do what it
would that would not relieve each one
OF lis from Our individual duty and re-
sponsibility.