The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-18
IS FATAL TO DEMOCRACY
Carl Schurz on Militarism and
Imperialism.
HE PLEADS FOR HONOR
The Cause OF American Democracy
Against the Selfish Schemes OF
the Administration - A
Striking Antithesis.

Chicago, Oct. 1.-THE opposition of
the anti-expansionists to the subjuga-
ton of the F'ilipinos took tangible form
to-day in the meeting of about 100 dele
gates from different parts of the coun-
try to launch a crusade against the
policy of the administration in the
Philippines. The meeting was called to
order in Central Music hall by Tempo
rary Chairman Edwin Burritt Smith of
Chicago.
The committee on organization of the
conference was appointed as follows:
George G. Mercer of Philadelphia, Frank
H. Scott of Chicago, Dana Estes of Bos-
ton, Louis E. Enrich of Colorado
Springs, Colo, and Paul e. Coste of
st. Louis.
Owing to the illness of his wife. George
H. Boutwell, could not be present, but
a letter from him was read.
J. Sterling Morton presided at the
evening session and upon Introducing
Carl Schurz, who delivered the address
of the evening, spoke as follows:
after 1900 years of Christianity, in
tellectual growth and Of constantly
| improving civilization. in, which the
| tender kindness and loving teachings
| of the gentle Nazarene have been
| thrown like light into the uttermost
parts of the earth, we witness the most
phenomenal paradox III governments
which the race has ever experienced.
The government of Russia, govern
ment with the largest standing army in
the world, declares for disarmament
| and promises universal peace. But the
great republic of the United States,
founded by Washington, Franklin, JEFF
ferson and their compatriots. declares
for war, conquest subjugation and an
nexation. Russia would be the peace
maker, the United States the war
| maker In all history there is not an
other so striking and inexplcable an
tithesis."
Mr.. Schurz' address was enthusiast
tically received. In closing he said:
IT know the imperialists will say that
have been pleading here for Aguin-
aldo and his Flipinos against our re-
public. No-not for the Filipinos
merely, although. as one CT those VINO
have grown gray in the struggle for
free and honest government, l would
never be ashamed to plead for the
cause of freedom and independence,
even when it's banner is carried by
dusky and feeble hands. But am
pleading for more. l am pleading Tor
the cause of American honor and SELL
L.,
democracy-aye, for the cause of the
American people against an admins
tration of our public affairs which has
wantonly plunged this country into an
Ubiquitous war; which has disgraced
the republic by a scandaloIls breach OF
faith to a people struggling for tnelr
freedom whom we had used as allies;
which has been systematically seeking
to deceive and mislead the, public mind
by the manufacture Of false news:
which has struck at the very founda-
ton of our constitutional government
by an executive usurpat1on of the war
power: which makes sport OF the great
principles and high ideals that have
been and should ever remain the guld-
ing stars of our course; and which un'
less stopped in time, will transform
government Of the people, for the peo-
pie and by the people into an impe-
rial government cynically calling itself
republican, government in which the
| noisy worship of arrogant might will
drown the voice of right; which will
| impose upon the people a burdensome
and demoralizing nilitarism, and
| which will be driven into policy OF
| wild and rapacious adventure by the
| INSCRIPTIONS greed of the exploiter--a
policy always fatal to democracy.
II plead the cause of the American
people against all this, and I here de-
! clare my profound conviction that II
| this administration of our affairs were
| submitted for judgment to a popular
| vote on clear issue, it would be con-
| demned by an overwhelming majority
Il confidently trust that the Ameri-
| can people will prove themselves TOO
| clear-headed not to appreciate the vital
| difference between the expansion of The
| republic and it's free institutions over
| contiguous territory and kindred popu-
| lations, which we all gladly welcome II
| accomplished peaceably and honorably
! and imperialism which reaches out
| for distant lands to be ruled as subject
provinces: too intelligent not to per-
| ceive that our very first step on the
| road of imperialism has been a be-
trayal of the fundamental principles OF
democracy followed by disaster and
disgrace; too enlightened not to under
! stand that a monarchy may do such
things and still remain strong mon
| archy, while democracy cannot do
| them and still remain democracy;
| too wise not to detect the false pride
| or the dangerous ambitions, or the sell
fish schemes which so often hide them
selves under that deceptive cry of
mock patriotism; Our country, right
| or wrong!' They will not fail to recog-
| nize that our dignity, our free institu-
tons, and the peace and welfare of
| this and coming generations of Ameri-
| cans will be secure only as we cling to
| the watchword of true patriotism
Our country-when right to be kept
| right; when wrong to be put right