The record-union., 1899-10-28
CARL SCHURz
ON EXPANSION.
Opposed to the Retention of the
Philippine Islands.
Declares II Would Be Imperialism Not to
Give fllipinOs Independence.
His Reply to an Invitation of
Prominent German Citizens to
Go to Ohio and Address the
People in Opposition to the Free
Coinage of Silver Advocates.


CINCINNATI, Oct 27.-A number of
prominent German citizens recently ad-
dressed an invitation to Hon. Carl
Schurz to deliver an address in Gin
cinnati. The following reply was re-
ceived to-day:
"16 East Sixty-fourth street, New
York, October %, 1899.
Dear Mr.. Rattermann: It was
matter of regret to me to be unable to
accede to your request to deliver a nom
partisan address on imperialism in Gin
cinnati on my return trip from Chi
cago. This was partly due to my anx-
| iety to reach home, and also because a
non partisan discussion of this question
| is no longer recognized. I would be
pleased if this question could be taken
out Of party politics, because if this is
not done, the only choice that will be
| left US next year will be between
party presenting Imperialism and sound
money and another party which, in op-
| position to Imperialism, will combine
| with it an unsound money issue. This
| alternative can only be avoided if the
| imperial policy is removed, and the first
| step necessary to that end is not alone
| the cessation of hoStilitieS by victory
| of our arms, but the REIMBURSEMENT of
| the Philippines. If the Filipinos are not
! granted their independence, then i'm
| perialism would be the main issue in
, the Presidential election next year,
| croWdlng all other issues into the
background. The signs are already ap-
parent, and / see that the Cincinnati
'Folksblatt' warns US as follows:
Practical people are of the opinion
that Mr.. Schurz could be of greater
service to the country if he would come
| to Ohio and again fight the silver
| swindle, instead Of working into the
hands of free coinagers by placing an
nexation into the foreground. For it is
a fact free coinage represents a greater
danger than annexation
Il am of different pattern. No one
cay say of me that l undervalue the
| danger that may arise from free coin
age. But hold that Imperialism is de-
| cidedly more dangerous, for it means
| the ruin of our free institutions If,
| then, we could not oppose imperialism
without working into the hands of the
| free coiners, as the 'Volksblatt' says,
what then? 1t means that three years
ago in good faith we elected a Presi-
| dent to solve the money question, who,
instead, has burdened US with imperial
| ism. In this connection the warning
to speak of something else sounds pc
culiar.
"Of what do the speakers who have
been called into Ohio really speak?
| Did Governor Roosevelt, for instance.
dilate upon the silver question? He
was principally occupied in calling up
on US to hold up our heads in answer
to anti-imperialistic arguments. And
the rest Of the orators do likewise.
''If, under these circumstances. I
would, by the agitation of the silver
question, aid the Republicans of Ohio
to victory, | would be convinced that
the Administration would construe
such victory and make unlimited cap
ital out of it. Toward such result I
cannot conscientiously contribute
II am of the honest conviction that
the greatest danger that now threatens
the republic is imperialism. I believe
that it is our highest patriotic duty to
set aside all party interests. and to do
our best to avert this danger 1t was to
this end that last year I opposed the
candidacy of Roosevelt for Governor
l.
was a personal friend of Roosevelt, and
worked with him for civil service re-
form. | believed then, and still be-
lieve, that his defeat, with his imperial
istic program, and in spite of his new
earned fame, would have frightened the
Administration at Washington from the
annexation of the Philippines. and in
this manner the danger would have
been greatly minimized. Many of my
acquaintances here, who were then of
a contrary opinion, agree with me now
| that the result of the sacrifice would
have been we'll worth the price
"The situation this year appears in a
manner that the Administration and
Congress are encouraged to further pro-
gress on the path of imperialism. then
unless unlocked for events should inter-
vene, the main question that will con-
front us next year in the Presidential
election will be imperialism, and to
save the republic from her greatest
danger will require unpleasant sacri-
fees. Such encouragement to the Ad-
ministration should be withheld at any
cost.
I'VE are in the midst of a crisis in
which every good citizen should regard
it as his highest duty to make the
least important subservient to the i'm
portant, according to his knowledge and
conscience, and not permit himself to
be governed simply by party consid-
erationS.
With friendly greeting, yours,
&C. SCHURZ."