The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1899-03-17

] Is heS 0A Q AOlu Al 6OUo0INl0uC0 w
national honor; imperialism enslaves;
better savage than q slave. The
speaker believed that the modern ex-
pansion idea had its origin in COM
mercial centers which attempt to ex-
tend their trade. From thence it
spread to ambitious politicians in their
desire for political prestige. 1t has for
its allies the Capitalization of wealth
for commercial enterprise and the
promotion OF plutocratic rule: the very
bulwarks OF imperial rule. BY futher-
ing expansion he believed that we are
to abandon our continental policy OF
unexemplified progress to take pos
session of the colonies that ruined Spain;
we are to join the European concert;
to be bandit upon national highways.
| Under this new regime government
will become unwieldy. The war de-
partment must be abnormslly develop
ed; taxes must be increased, likewise
public debt. Our constitution must
undergo radical change; it must pro-
| vide for numerous military govern
ments and protectorates. He contend
ed that American enterprise would
stagnate in the Philippines, that the
interests OF the Two countries were too
remote to be allied, and urged that the
continental policy should remain in
force and effect. Mr.. Robinson has q
good delivery, his voice being strong
snd clear He treated his subject from
a standpoint that was radically against
the expansion Of our government and
presented his argument we'll as he saw
the situation.
The college male quartette rendered
selection that was roundly cheered, /,
but the boys declined to respond.
Mr.. H. A. Rodee took for his sub
ject "Our Social Crisis" in which he
dealt with the various social reforms of
the day. Individual man, he said, is an
active agency in both social upbuilding
and social destruction. He is likewise
the unit of the social organism, the
nucleus of its power, the origin of its
disintegration. Society is but the
magnitied representation OF its integral
parts. 1t is power for good or evil.
The crimes and outrages that are COM
mitted in the name of society are appall-
ing. AS power for good society coz
serves and economies human energy.
Mans ideals have changed. The
reign OF the planter has ended, the
reign of the millionaire has begun. 1t
is more practical to compute interest
and to clip coupons than to follow the
golden commandment. From q republic
of equal citizens with democratic prin-
ciples, there has come dynasty of in
dustrial despotism. We have en-
throned hierarchy of politicians and
commercial potentates. The speaker
referred in unmeasured terms to the
trusts and to what condition they had
driven the people. The century of the
worlds greatest achievements closes in
the turmoil of social disruption, and
the unrest is the legitimate product OF
modern industrial conditions. We
stand at the daybreak of new century,
and thoughtful men gaze through the
horoscope of the future upon the
momentous problems of the race. They
are perplexed to discern whether we
are approaching the era Of our national
splendor or entering the cycle of long
eclipse. Mr.. Rodee is speaker ol
more than ordinary ability. He has An
easy and commanding presence, ao'
quired by lis frequent appearance on
the lecture platform. he retained the
interest Of the audience from beginning
to end, and made a most excellent i'm
preston. With q modification in the
words used in some of his statements
backed with his matchless oratory Mr.
Rodee will, without any doubt, be the
victor in the state contest.
"The tragedy of Aaron Burr" gave
Mr.. E. S. Whitaker rine opportunity
to show his worth, both in oratory and
the description of characters wei
known in history, and right we'll did he
respond to his subject. Beginning at the
fatal duel between Hamilton and Burr
the speaker reviewed the life of Burr
at once interesting and magnetic, with
that of Hamilton, making plain the
principles which guided the footstep:
of each in public affairs. Burr was
born great but not good; brilliant bu
not benefcent. His being was filled
with contending emotions, and wa'
capable of every passion. His soul de-
lighted to mingle in the felicitous joyl
of the fireside as we'll as to stalk the
marbled halls of ambition. His feel
ings ran riot, but his intellect wa.
calm and collected. The speaker wen
back to the boyhood days of Burr and
followed his strange career; of hi.
| laadarahiD pf tha har and uopd orf,,