The Portland daily press., 1899-01-10

After the dinner, which was served
while an excellent orchestra discoursed
sweet musi,, President Barton called the
assemblage to order for the post prandiai
exercises
President Barton said he wished to give
notice to the Republicans OF Maine that
the Democratic party Is not dead, and
that the Maine Democratic club Is the
warmest Democratic six weeks year old
baby in existence. (Applause) Mr..
Barton then introduced DIR. Gordon as
the toastmss ter.
cratic principle was free trade. The day
which all Democrats looked forward to
was the day when custom houses would
be abolished. We have had enough of
Dingleyisp, and MoKinieyism. The
Republicans themselves are sick of tariff.
Wool, cotton, lumber and boot and. shoe
dealers and manufacturers are longing for
the day when the Dingley tariff will be
abolished.
As the exponent Of the cause Of free
trade DIR. Gordon introduced Henry W.
Lamt of Boston, president Of the Massa-
chusetts Free Trade club. as the first
speaker. He was warmly greeted when
he arose to speak.
Mr. Lamb said In part: Though
speak to Democrats tonight what say of
Imperialism Is addressed to all patriotic
Americans. The situation must bring
great opportunity TO Democrats. The
opposition to imperialism or expansion
will unite the party and will once more
put that party into power. Now what Is
this policy which the administration Is
trying to force upon the country. The
policy is to make subject race of the
people nj the tropical islands on the other
side OF the globe. For more than a
century We have prided ourselves upon
the principle Of "no taxation without
representation" but now we are asked as
people to do this very thing.
Expansion has certain attraction to
many minds who Judge Of the quantity
and not the quality. 1t is not proposed
now to make the people of the islands "a
part of the United States, for this would
make them subject to the constitution.
The administration fears to do this be-
cause it would endanger their pet policy
of protection. Th,y also fear the resent
ment of the laboring GLASSES who will not
allow ten million of Malays TO come into
our country as fun hedged citizens,
1t is not our patriotism which has out
grown our constitution. but our vanity
and vain gloriousness has outgrown this
constitution OF ours. IL Is not because of
their markets that the administration de-
sires TO annex these islands for their
markets amouns to little. And even this
small amount We must share with spain
and other nations, and bear the expense
ourselves. 1t is not exaggeration 10 say
that $3.50, 900, 600 will be required 30 hold
these islands 1t will cost more than this
for 1t win cost us the income from the
war tariff which was imposed upon US to
free one people from unjust oppression,
and which will now be retained to hold
another people in oppression. The labor
ing men will In the end then pay for re-
tanning these islands. for 1t is the labor
ing men who in the end pay all taxes
To retain these islands will cost us a
large army and navy, and this means that
thousands of young men will be exposed
to all dangers of this tropical Ultimate.
The chief executive of this nation Is
bound to inquire into these dangers which
threaten our troops and sailors. but he
has not made inquiries. has not put his
ear to the ground TO hear Theses report. In
fact he has not tried to hear them as a
Democratic President would have done. |
(Applause.)
There are those who say that the nd |
is trying TO secure foothold
of China We don't need to go to China
for these markets. for have we not the
at Canada open to us II the
nation would not impose burdens upon
our own people to keep these markets
closed. To secure our interests in China
means that we must fight for them. If
We fight for such principle we must for
felt all of our principles and acknowledge
that we are lighting for commercial
reasons If we fight in China II III Sans
that we must fight at home and an out
post In the PHILIPPINES will weaken rather
than aid US, but II we mind our own
business, fellow Democrats, we win have
no enemies. To fight and to carry out
this policy of Mckinley administration
means that the burden of maintaining
enormous ornaments must come upon
the working men of this country.
Free trade and Democracy are stronger
than closed doors. Free US from AL taxes
except those imposed for revenue and our
already excelling those of
Europe, will soon find their own markets.
The speaker then went on at great
length to compare the annexation of the
to the annexation of Louisiana
in the time of Thomas jefferson.
We must discharge our oblias tions to
the Philippines by giving them their
liberty and guaranteeing them protection.
Gen. Whittier recently an aid to Gen.
Merritt, advocates holding these islands