The Irish standard., 1899-05-06
AT AN ENTHUSIASTIC MASS MEETING
Bishop Spalding Of Peoria is the
Principal Speaker.
ENGLAND IS NO FRIEND OF AMERICA
Administration is arraigned for
the War in the East.

Last Sunday afternoon in Chicago,
Central Music hall was filled with an
audience gathered to protest against the
course of the administration with refer
ence to the Philippine islands. Once or
twice the proceedings were interrupted
by protests of those who disagreed with
the sentiments of the speakers. When
Bishop ]. L. Spalding Of Peoria, de-
clared that England has never been a
friend of this country" an Englishman
near the platform cried excitedly,
That's lie" Without noticing the
interruption the bishop continued his
address. He said in part:
eve are, at present, in the midst of a
crisis, in which lack of thought and de-
liberation may lead us far from the
ideals which, as Americans, we have
most cherished, and expose us to evils
Of which we scarcely dream. We stand
at the parting of the ways 1t is not
yet too late to turn from the way which
leads through war and conquest to i'm
perialism, to standing armies, to alli-
ances with foreign powers and finally to
the disruption of the Union itself. 1t is
not too late, because it is still possible,
probable even that the American people
will reconsider the whole question of
the complications in which our victories
over Spain have involved us, and, call
ing to mind the fact that they did not
enter into this war for the purpose of
becoming an empire, but for the pur-
pose of helping others to throw off the
yoke of a tyrannical imperialism, will
see that to be blinded and led away by
success is to be weak and foolish; or,
rather, since here the highest interests
of humanity are at stake, is to be wicked
and criminal. If this may not be, then
the American people have degenerated,
they have lost their hold upon the his
torical causes and the political habits
which led to the founding of our institu-
tions and to the marvellous growth and
prosperity of our country.
"We shall not believe that the gain of
a few naval battles over a weak and
unprepared foe has power to throw us
into such enthusiasm or such madness
as to turn us permanently from the
principles and policies to which we owe
Our national existence, our life and lib
erty; or that destiny, the divinity Of
fatalists and materialists, can weaken
our faith in the God Of justice, right
eousness and love, who scorns and
thrusts far away those who, having the
giants strength, use it to oppress or de-
stroy the weak and ignorant.
,"We have never looked upon our
selves as predestined to subdue the
earth, to compel other nations with
sword to accept our rule; we have al
ways believed in human rights, in free
dom and opportunity, in education and
religion, and we have invited all men to
come and enjoy these blessings in this
half of the world which God has given
us, but we have never dreamed that they
were articles to be exported and thrust
down unwilling throats at the point Of
the bayonet. We have sympathized with
all oppressed peoples-with Ireland,
Greece, Armenia, Cuba. To emancipate
the slave we gladly sacrificed the lives
of hundreds of thousands Of our soldiers
And now the American soldier, who
should never shoulder gun except in
righteous cause, is sent 10000 miles
across the ocean to shoot men whose
real crime is that they wish to be free,
wish to govern themselves. To say that
they are unfit for freedom is to put forth
the plea of the tyrant. in all ages and
everywhere. The enemies of liberty
have never lacked for pretexts to justify
their wrongs; but, in truth, at the root
of all wars Of conquest there lies lust for
blood or for gold.
"If the inhabitants OF the Philippines
came gladly to throw themselves into
our arms, we should refuse to do more
than counsel, guide and protect them
until they form themselves into a stable
and Independent government What
then is to be thought OF those who seem
resolved either to rule or exterminate
them?
"Our capital is fast becoming the
most inhuman, the most iniquitous ty-.
rant the world has ever known. Its ty-
ranny is a blight and curse to those
who exercise il ss well as to the multi