The San Francisco call., 1899-10-28
GREAT ISSUES
BEFORE POLITICS
SchurzS Stand Against
Imperialism.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

CINCINNATI, Oct. IA number of
prominent German citizens recently ad-
dressed an invitation to Hon. Carl
Schurz to deliver an address in Cincin-
natl. The following reply was received
to-day:
NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 1899.
Dear Mr.. Rattermann: It was a matter OF re-
gret to me to be unable TO accede 10 your re-
quest to deliver non-partisan address on i'm
perialism in Cincinnati on my return trip from
Chicago. This was partly due to my anxiety
to reach home and also because a non partisan
discussion of this question is no longer recog-
nized 1 would be pleased II this question could
be taken out of party politics, because If this
Is not done the only choice that will be left
next year will be between party present
ing imperialism and sound money and another
party which, in opposition TO imperialism will
combine with II an unsound money issue. This
alternative only be avoided IL the imperial
policy is removed and the first step necessary
TO that end is not alone the cessation OF hos
tilites by a victory OF arms but the re-
lilquishment Of the Philippines. II the Fill
plnos not granted their independence then
iruperialism would he the main issue In the
Presidential election next year. crcwding all
other issues into the background. The signs
are already apparent and I see that the Gin
cinnati Volksblatt warns as follows
Practical people are Of the opinion that Mr..
Schurz could be OF greater service to the coun-
try II he would come to Ohio and again fight
the silver swindle instead OF working Into the
hands Of the free coinagers by placing annexa-
tion into the foreground. For 1t is a fact that
annexation"
l am Of different pattern No one can say
of me that / undervalue the danger that may
arise from free coinage. But l hold that i'm
peralism is decidedly more dangerous for &
means the ruin OF our free institutions. II.
then, could not oppose imperialism without
working into the hands of the free coiners az
the Volksblatt says, what then? 1t means that
three years ago in good faith we elected Presi-
dent to solve the money question who in
stead has hurdened with imperialism In
this connection the warning to speak of some
thing else sounds peculiar.
or 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 CALI
ing US to hold UP our heads in answer to anti
mperialistic arguments. And the rest OF the
orators do likewise.
agitation of the silver question, aid the Repub-
lIcans of Ohio to victory l would be convinced
that the administration would construe such
victory and make unlimited capital out OF IL
Toward such result l cannot conscientiously
contribute.
am OF the honest conviction that the great
est danger that now threatens the republic is
Imperialism ! believe that It is our highest
patriotic duty to set aside all party interests
and to do our best to avert this danger It was
to this end that last year opposed the candi-
dacy OF Roosevelt for Governor in this State
/ did this although I was a personal friend OF
Roosevelt and worked with him for civil serv-
Ice reform. l believed then and still believe
that his defeat with his imperialistic pro-
granme and in spite of his new-earned fame,
would have frightened the administration in
Washington from the annexation of the Phil
ippines and in this manner the danger would
have been greatly minimized Many OF my
acduaintances here. who were then of a con-
trarv opinion agree with me now that fhe ra
suit Of the sacrifice would have been well
worth the price. The situation this year an
pears to me to be exactly the same. If the
fall elections result in manner that the ad-
mlnistration and Congress are encouraged to
further progress on the path of Imperialism
vene, the main question that will confront us
next year in the Presidential election will be
Imperialism. and to save the republic from her
greatest danger will require unpleasant sacrt-
fees Such announcement to the administra-
tton should be withheld at any cost
We are in the midst of a crisis in which every
good citizen should regard IL as his highest
duty to make the least important subservfent
TO the important. according to his knowledge
and conscience. and not permit himself to be
governed simply by party considerations With
friendly greetings, yours, C. SCHURZ
16 East Sixty-fourth street.