The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-19

Liberty and Government of Peo-
pie by People, says MIR. Cochran
Anti-ImperfaIists Conclude.
CHICAGO, Oct 1S.-The anti-imperiallst
| meeting at Central Music hall came TO
close tonight, Hon. Bourke Cochran OF
New York, delivering the Grafton OF the
evening. The hall was filed, and the re-
marks of the orator}were greeted with ap-
prevail by those present. Mr.. Cochran
based his objection, TO the policy or the
government on the broad ground that one
people had no right to force govern
ment on another. He discussed the ques-
ton in a dispassionate manner, claiming
that there were many reasons why the
United States should hold the Islands,
but no reason why 1t should attempt TO
force upon any people form OF govern
ment to which that people objected. The
conference adjourned at the conclusion
of Mr.. Cockrans address, those in charge
of the meeting expressing themselves as
delighted with the success OF the AFFAIR.
Mr.. Cockran's address was in part as
follows:
sit is a common, indeed an universal
saying that the war has brought us new
responsibilities In that statement I
concur unreservadly 1t has brought US
not merely responsibilities, but an OPP
portunity never equaled in the history OF
the world. The manner in which the re-
sponsibility should be met and the OPP
portunity improved is the problem to be
considered in this conference. Our pro-
ceedfngs, to be Of any value, must be con-
Quoted In a calmer atmosphere than Is
likely to be found in political conventions.
Questions affecting our administrative IN
tegrity may we'll be left to the action Of
parties; questions affecting our territorial
integrity should be considered by the
patriotism of the entire country. What
the United States shall do may we'll be
settled by a majority. There should be
substantial unanimity in deciding what
the United States shall do.
"In dealing with the fruits of the late
war then two courses are open to Us.
One the old course Of treating our sue
cess as an opportunity to wrest from the
conquered foe the utmost he can be made
to yield, the other to establish new
standard of justice in the dealings OF
nations with each other by refusing TO
accept either tribute or try for ourselves
and by making the conditions of peace
provision for improving the conditions
of men.
eff, on the other hand, we conclude to
accept no other, reward than the estab-
lihsment of free and beneicent govern
ments in the territories wrested from
Spain we will show that we did not take
up arms for conquest or plumber, but Tor
justice and humanity.
1.-THE president proclaiming such
policy, so novel and so enlightened,
would take a place in history as distinct
and conspicuous as that of Abrham Lin
coin while this country would acquire
a moral influence among nations unpre-
cedented and unparalleled.
EXAMPLE FOR THE WORLD.
1.-THE example of a great country re-
deeming at the close of the successful
war the profession with which 1t was
begJln--risking- the lives and treasure OF
it's citizens for no other purpose than
for the rescue of a suffering people from
intolerable. oppressionAwould produce
such an effect on the world that 1t would
be difficult for any other country to make
war for a baser purpose. 1t would De
an inspiring answer to the universal as
pirations for peace which brought into
existence the recent conference at me
Hague.
us from rendering a priceless service to
humanity and gaining unmeasurablo
glory for ourselves at The Hague, out
that opportunity is by no means lost
The policy Of civilization and humanity
may still be adopted by the American
people, even if the president tails TO M
itate it, aye, even If he should oppose IL.
Indeea the glory of establishing our
selves in the primacy Of civilization Will
he Increased. not lessened, If 1t he
achieved by the people themselves, IN
spite Of the officers who control our gov
eminent.
s.T do not say this through desire to
make any issue with the executive re-
peat that the purpose Of this conference
Is to promote unanimity, not to aggravate
division Whatever we may think OF the
nresident's action, it is only fair to ADMIT
that the policy to which he appears IN
clined. and which we condemn, casts the
only shadow of doubt on his own pollu-
cal prospects. II the issues OF the next
election were confined to the preserVa-
ton Of existing economic conditions L do
not think any man doubts ms Campaign
would have been a triumphal march to
success. Whatever doubt now clouds the
result he has himself created, and now
ever this may affect our opinion OF MS
prudence, it should be accepted as a
proof of good faith
eve all agree that our promise to es-
tablish an Independent government in
Cuba, which accompanied and Justified
the declaration of war with Spain, should
be respected. Beyond this some hold
that the spirit of our pledge forb1ds us to
turn that war to any purpose OF con-
quest Whatever while others appear to
think that our promise with regard to
Cuba is the only limitation on our right
to use our success for territorial aggran-
dizement. III 9sN
WAR NOT FOR CONQUEST.
However men may differ as to our pol
icy now, do not think anybody can fair
ly dispute the sincerity OF congress in de-
claring that the war was not undertaken
for conquest, but for humanity. Nobody
at that time anticipated that any other
question would arise from it than the
disposition of Cuba.
''It is quite true also that Deweys vic
tory in Manila and the subsequent cap
ture of the town introduced a new fea-
ture In the problem which greatly ag
gravated the difficulties of its solution.
Had the United States withdrawn from
the islands at the conclusion Of hoSti1i-
ties, leaving the natives and the Spanish
to decide the question of sovereignty be-
tween them, we would have been entirely
within our rights as civilized power,
and we would have taken the easiest
pathway to domestic tranquility. On the
other hand, 1t is said that having ac-
cepted the aid of the Filipinos ins our OPP
erations against Manila, there would
have been an element of perfidy in aban
doning them to their own resources after
Spain had granted our own demands.
'Since the conclusion of the treaty of
peace no one of recognized authority has
declared the policy of our government. on
the question Indeed, in the absence of
congress-, there; espower to declare it.
We are not opposing any policy, but pro-
testing against the absence of policy.