The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-18
IMPERIALISM A
STEP BACKWARD.
Colonel Bryan Takes a Bible Story
for His Text.
IS THE VOICE OF THE SERPENT
rhat Tempts Us With the Fruits OF
lmpcrialism-Other Nations May
Dream Of Wars of Conquest,
Not SoWith Us.

DENVER. COL, Jan. l'.-Coiohol " ~, 90
BRYAN made two public speeches ~
yer to-day. both Of when were ~ -
pacitv of the auditoriums. me n''' 81
Ia o'clock i'm the hall OF the House
representatives. TO which only 1lv''
who held tickets were admitted ~D
other was al $ o'clock at Coliseum i'"'
tbe LARGEST room In the city, where 'noo
sands struggled for standing ROOM VIZ
other thousands turned away olsapp
ed iu not even getting glimpse oil ''o
great silver champion. ,.,..,,-o
I'm his address before the Lesisid. "a -
MIR BRYAN devoted most OF his TIME 10 ~
discussion of the duties OF legislators a'iS IN
other public officers. whom he desis""'0"
servants not masters OF we P, ~
BRILLIANT ASSEMBLAGE'
,c,r mis- address Mr.. and and Mrs
prya, repaired 10 the residence oi Gov
or,c~ Thomas. where they were eh''i-
t.i,ed at dinner 10 which half "a oo@e"
of th, leading Democrats Boo the stare,
,,cindine EX-Governors Grant oil
Adams. and a number Of ladies were
Inc crowd which greeted Mr.. Bryan
90 Coliseum Hall began gathering 1T ,
o'clock four hours before the time "el
for the meeting. 81,
At o'clock when Hon. Milton SIill'
chairman OF the state Central com .ll' .
fec. called for order. there We're "''.t
pereons I'm the hail and as many more
outside pressing for admission
Governor Charles Thomas was i'7-
emit las chairman Of the meeting. and Do
.~ oniorietic spoech introduced Colonel
Bryan. who was received with proiohssd
applause.
Mr.. Bryan spoke I'm part as follows.
COLONEL BRYAN'S SPEECH
"Tbe Bible tells that Ahab the kine
wanted the vineyard Of Nahoth ana
was sorely erieved because the owner
thereof refused 10 part with the inEeri-
lance Of HIS fathers. Then followed a
pIot. and false charges were preferred
against Nahoth 10 furnish an excuse Tor
getting rid OF him. Thou shalt not
covct.' Thou shalt not bear false Wit
noss2' Thou shalt not Kill three COM
mandments broken. and sim a fourth,
orhou shalt not steal 10 he broken In
order TO get "a little piece Of ground. and
what was tho result? When the King
went forth 10 take possession. Elijah
that brave old prophet Of The early days.
met him and pronounced against him the
sentence of the Almighty: I'm tho place
where the dogs licked. the blood Of
Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood even
thine
Neither his own exalted position nor
the lowly station of his victim could save
him from the avenging hand OF outrag-
ell Justice. His case was tried in court
where neither wealth, nor rank nor pow
er could shield the transgressor.
BECAUSE OF COVETOUSNESS
WARS of conquest have their origin
IL, 10 OF
human race mas been written in charac-
tcrs Of blood because rulers have looked
with longing eyes on the lands Of others.
"COvctOusncss is prone 10 seek the aid
OF false pretcnce 20 carry out its plans
but what 10 cannot secure by persuasian
1t takes by the sword.
Senator Tcliers amendment 10 the in
tervention resolutions saved the Cubans
from the covctousness of those who are
so anxious 20 secure possession OF The
island that they are willing 20 deny the
truth Of the declaration Of our own Com
gress that the people Of cuba are and
Of right ought to be free"
Mr.. Bryan then proceeded TO apply the
story of NabOth 10 the Philippine ques-
ton ana argued that war OF conquest
would be wrong in principle as well as
expensive and as harmful 10 the people
of the United States as 10 the Fllipmos.
lie spoke At considerable length, and
concluded as follows:
A STEP BACKWARD.
imperialism might expand the nation
territory. but 30 would contract the ma
lions purpose. 10 Is not step forward
toward "a broader destiny; it is step
backward toward the narrow views OF
kings and cmperors
"Dr TAYLOR has appropriately express
cd 70 fin his Greed of the Flag when he
asks:
shall we turn 20 the Old World again.
With the pcnitent prodigaIs cry.
81 answer never. This republic is not
"a wavward son: Il has not spent its sub
stance I'm riotous living. 1t is not ready
10 retrace its steps and with shamed
face and trembling voice. solicit an hum
nile place among the servants OF Roy
atty. IL has not sinned against Heaven,
and God grant that the crowned heads
of Europe may never have occasion 10
XII the fatted calf TO commemorate its
return from reliance upon the VIII on
The people TO dependence upon the au-
thority which flows from regal birth or
superior force
owe cannot afford 20 enter upon a
colonial policy. The theory upon which
"a government is built Is a matter OF
been d controlling influence upon the
thought and character of the people.
"Our national idea r. self-govcrnment
and unless wo are ready 10 abandon that
idea forever. we cannot ignore IT I'm deal.
ing with the Filipinos.
"That idea Is entwined with our tradi-
lions. 10 permcates our history, II Is
part Of our literature.
"That idea has given eloquence 10 the
orator and inspiration 10 the poet. Take
from our national hymns the three words
free. freedom and liberty and they
would be as meaningless as would be our
flag VI robbed Of its red white and blue
"Other nations may dream of wars Of
conquest and of distant dependencies
governed by exterior force. not so with
the United States.
'rhe fruits Of imperialism, be they
bitter or sweet. must be left 20 the sub
jccts of monarchy. This is the one tree
OF which the citizens Of our republic may
not partake. IL is the voice Of the ser
oent not the voice OF God that bids us
eat"