The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-20
NO NEED OF A NEW PARTY.

The talk Of forming a new party, with
its CHIEF slogan "anti-imperialism, Is very
| properly discouraged by such men as Ed
ward Atkinson and others, Leaders in the
big anti-imperialist league which has al
ready been organized. These leaders I'M
derstand that new parties are rarely sue
cessful. and that an organized force like
their league can best effect its objects by
bringing its influence to bear on the old
parties.
That this antl-imperialist sentiment Is
4 very strong in recognized republican
strongholds there can be no doubt. 1t
will attempt to check tho tendencies and
policies of the republican party. In the
premises, within the republican ranks and
at the republican conventions. including
the National convention, and falling there
it is not unlikely that such men as George
s. Boutwell,. Edward Atkinson, Edwin Bur
rift Smith and other old time republicans
Will throw their weight against their for
mer party and in favor of an antiimperial-
LIST democracy. This is q significant state
ment from Edward Atkinson, which ap-
peared in yesterdays Post, wherein he
says:
Il am not on the executive committee OF
the Anti lmperinlist league, but ccncur with
them fully that II would be very iniudicious
for them or their supporters TO enter into
q presidential contest by nominating candi-
dates Parties VIII doubtless grow, or rather
new distribution Of numbers of existing
parties. out of this single question. We don t
yet claim to be ANYTHING more than a domi
nant majority. although am myself CON
vincod by observation and correspondence
that there are not 20. per cent OF the people
OF this country who give any true support to
the present administration on convictions OF
right"
Here Is an intimation in broad terms
that the new Issue will likely create n
new alignment of forces next year. These
republican anti-imperialists are deeply in
earnest and would In vast majority OF
cases prefer to take democracy and hi
metallism without imperialism than re-
publicanism and the gold standard with
imperialism. mere change In our cur
rency system, a purely internal question,
however radical. would not be fraught
with that danger to our constitution and
our republican institutions that would In
evitably arise from the adoption OF policy
OF conquest abroad and milltarism az home.
Those latter policies would actually strike
at the very foundations OF the Rebubllc.
and these patriotic anti -imperlaIlst re-
publicans are intelligent enough to see
the distlrction. Even so great q million
aire and republican and gold standard man
as Mr.. Andrew Carnegie as much as de-
clared, months ago, that there was not a
1.-THE OF the danger In free silver that
lurked In this new imperlalist programme!
AS to tho general direction and effect
OF this new alignment of which Mr.. Atkin-
son speaks, no intelligent man will deny
that there are far more anti-imperialists
among the republicans than imperialists
among the democrats. 1t Is important to
hear Mr.. Atkinson say. too, that from
observation and correspondence" he is
convinced that there are not 25 per cent
Of the people of this country who give
any true support to the present adminis-
tration on convictions OF right!
Old prejudices. the thirst for office.
government favors to favored classes, the
cohesion of plumber" syndicate influences
and trust and syndicate expectations of
good ''pickings" to come In the awake OF
conquest-these are the bases OF republi-
can strength and organization at pres
emit.
The anti-imperiallsts need no new party
they can ind in the great democracy
the principles that will meet their faith
and objects. and that are now the only
hope for the survivaIS OF the great Re
public!