The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-01


ril Smith, Sigmund Zeister and Miss
Jane Adams.
The following resolutions were
adopted
The frank expression of honest con-
victions upon great questions of pub
lie policy is vital to the health and
even to the preservation of govern
ment. Such expression is therefore the
sacred duty of American citizens.
We hold that the policy known as
Imperialism is hostile to liberty and
tends to militarism, an evil from which
1t has been our glory to be free. We
regret that it is now necessary in the
land of Washington and Lincoln to
reaflirm that all men, of whatever race
or color, are entitled to life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. We still
maintain that governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the
governed We insist that the forcible
subjugation of a purchased people is
criminal aggression and open disSoy-
atty to the distinctive principles of our
government.
I'VE honor our soldiers and sailors
in the Philippines for their unquestion-
ed bravery: and we mourn with the
whole nation for the lives that have
been sacrificed. We hold that our own
government created the conditions
which have brought about the sacrifice.
We earnestly condemn the policy of
the present national administration in
the Philippines. 1t is the spirit of rs
that our government is striving to ex-
tinguish in these islands; we denounee
the attempt and demand its abandon
ment. We deplore and resent the
slaughter of the Filipinos as a need
less horror a disgrace to our people.
I'VE protest against the extension of
the American empire by Spanish meth
DDS and demand the immediate cessa-
ton of war against liberty begun by
Spain and continued by u.s. We believe
that foolish pride is the chief obstacle
to a speedy settlement of all difficulties.
AS Mr.. Gladstone said to England:
We are strong enough to cast aside all
consideration of false shame, walking
in the plain and simple ways of right
and Justice
our government should at once an
nounce to the F'ilpinos it's purpose to
grant them under proper guarantees
of order the independence for which
they have so long fought, and should
seek by diplomatic methods to secure
this Independence by the common con-
sent of nations.
1t is to-day as true of the F'ilipinos
as 1t was year ago of the Cubans.
that they are. and Of right, ought to be
free and independent.
President Rogers said he had faith
in the sincerity of President McKinleysp
He said the president had declared that
he desired to be governed by the wishes
of the people, in dealing with the Phil
ippines. This being the case, he wished
expressions from both sides. He denied
that those who favor expansion have a
monopoly of patriotism and he denied
that the United States has any moral 4
right to scoon in the Philippines.
Bishop Spas ing &C Peoria said: If
it is our destiny to become an empire.
.n~- j,
public. Empire and Imperialism are
associated with kingly and arbitrary
rule, with militarism and conquest Was
not the Roman empire built upon the
republic?
But we are told that imperialism
has proved a blessing to Great Britain.
In this matter there is no parity be-
tween England and the United States.
If to-day England could be blockaded
for six months she would starVe. She
is Cimpelled therefore, to have a
navy as strong almost as that of all
the other nations. and this has led her
to make conquest after conquest, un-
til her empire encircles the earth. But
these widely scattered dominions,
though possibly necessary for her eX-
stence as a first-class power, are for
her cause of weakness. Let her colo
nies but become dissatisfied and they
will fall from her as easily as the ripe
fruit falls from the boughs.
THE more we hold aloof from Eng
land the better shall it be for America.
She has not an ally in the world and
there is probably not nation in the
world which would trust her as an
ally. She has never loved us from the
days in which she oppressed the colo
MES to the dark days when, by aiding
the confederacy, she sought to make
the disuption of the union permanent.
9 Ss1,N l,H,r NT@
most dreaded rival she has, because we
threaten her supremacy in what is near
est and dearest to her-her finances.
An alliance with her would involve 4
us in the difficulties and dangers by
which she is confronted and from
which we are free. We need neither
her advice nor her assistance. The
praises which she now bestows on US,
were they sincere. would be superflu-
Ous but since they are given with the
design of drawing us into an imperial
istic policy and troublesome entangle-
ments. they are insidous and insulting.
Our wisest statesmen have always been
opposed to militariSm as a menaca to
our liberty. We want nothing more than
the nucleus of an army, nothing which
shall serve as a means of conquest at
home or abroad; and as for my own
part, I think a powerful navy a danger
rather than a protection.
when the American people resolved
not to hold what they never intended
to take possession of. they will have
little difficulty in finding solution of
this proposition of difficulty. Above all,
let them not be misled by vanity. let
them not hearken to the siren voice of
English hattery: let them not stop to
think what other nations shall say, but
let them as becomes a great, a free and
people. be self-directed,
holding in view only such aims and
ends as are wise, just and conducive to
the permanent welfare and highest in
terPSt of the republic