The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-28
WORSE THAN SILVER.
Carl schurz Regards Threatened I'm
perialism.


perialism.
Cincinnati. O., Oct. 2S-A number of
prominent German citizens recently
addressed an invitation to Carl Schurz
to deliver an address in Cincinnati. The
following reply was received;
''16 East Sixty-fOurth street,NeW Aork'
October %, 1899
Dear Mr.. Rattermann: It was a
matter of regret to me to be unable TO
accede to your request to deliver non
partisan address on Imperialism IN
Cincinnati on my return trip from Chi
cagO. This was partly due to my
anxiety to reach home and also be-
cause a nOn-partisan discussion OF TINS
question is no longer recognized l
would be pleased if this question could
be taken out of politics, because II TINS
is not done, the only choice that VIII pe
left US next year Will be between a
party presenting Imperialism and sound
money and another party which, IN op-
position to Imperialism, Will cOmDlne
with it an unSOund money issue rms
alternative can only be avoided If the
imperial policy is removed, and the
first step necessary to that end IS not
alone the cessation of hOStilities by
victory of our arms. but the re1nQulsn-
ment of the Philippines: If the Fill
pinOs are not granted their 1ndepend-
ence then imperialism would be the
main issue in the presidential electlOn
next year, crOwding all other issues
into the back ground The signs are al
ready apparent and see that the Gin
cinnau VoIksblatt warns US as fol-
lows:
% Practical people are of the opinion
that Mr.. Schurzs could be of greater
service to the country if he would come
to Ohio and again fight the silver swim
| die instead of working into the hands
of the free cOinagerS by placing an
nexatiOn in the front ground. For 1t IS
a fact free coinage represents a greater
danger than annexation
I am of a different pattern. No one
can say of me that 1 undervalue the
danger that may arise from free coin
age, but 1 hold that Imperialism is
decidedly more dangerous, for it means
the ruin OF our free institutions. If,
then, we could not oppose Imperialism
without working into the hands of the
free cOfners, as the WOlksblatt says,
what then? 1t means that three years
ago, in good faith, we elected a presi-
dent to solve the money question, who
instead has burdened US with lmper-
ialism. In this connection the warn
ing to speak of something else sounds
peculiar.
"Of what do the speakers who have
been called into Ohio, really speak? Did
Governor Roosevelt. for instance, dilate
upon the silver question? He was prin-
cipally occupied in calling US to hold
up our heads in answer to anti-imper-
ialistic arguments. And the rest of the
orators do likewise.
IF, under these circumstances, I
would. by the agitation of the silver
| question. aid the Republicans of Ohio
| to victory. I would be convinced that
| the administration would construe such
a victory as the Endorsement by the
| people of its imperialistic policy and
make unlimited capital out of it. To-
ward such q result, I can not cOnSci-
entiOusly contribute.
Il am of the honest conviction that
| the greatest danger that now threat
| ems the republic is imperialism. I be-
| lieve that it is our highest patriotic
| duty to set aside all party interests and
| to do our best to avert this danger It
n nT a Ia c-f 7 4
| the candidacy of Roosevelt for COVER
nor in this state did this. although
1 was personal friend of Roosevelt,
/ and worked with him for civil service
| reform. I believed then and still be-
/ lieve that his defeat. with his imperial
/ istic program and in spite of his new
/ earned fame, would have frightened the
| administration in Washington from the
| annexation of the Philippines and in
| this manner the danger would have
| been greatly minimized
Many of my acCuainta0ceS here
/ who were then of a contrary opinion
| agree with me now that the result OF
| the sacrifice would have been well
1 worth the price. The situation this wear
| appears to me to be exactly the same
| If the fall elections result in a manner
| that the administration and congress
/ are encouraged to further progress on
i the path of imperialism then unless
| unlocked for events should intervene,
/ the main question that will confront US
next year in the presidential election
VIII De imperialism and to save the re-
/ public from her greatest danger will re-
/ quire unpleasant sacrifices. Such en-
couragement to the administrat tion
/ should be withheld at any cost
| We are in the midst of a crisis in
| which every good citizen should regard
/ it as his highest duty to make the least
1 Importance subservient to the import
! ant according to his knowledge and
! conscience and not permit himself to
| be governed simply by party consider
/ alton. With friendly greeting. yours,
| &C. SCHURZ"