The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-28
IT IS MORE DANGEROUS
Schurz Says Imperialism Is the
Great Issue.
THREATENS THE REPUBLIC
To Save the Country May Involve
Some Unpleasant Sacrifices What
Republican Victory Would
Mean.

Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. PA number
of prominent German citizens recent
ny addressed an invitation to Hon
Carl Schurz to deliver an address in
Cincinnati. The following reply was
received to-day:
New York, Oct %, 1S9o.-Dear Mr.
Batterman: 1t was a matter Of re-
gret to me to be unable to accede to
your request to deliver non-partisan
address on imperialism in Cincinnati
on my return trip from Chicago. This
was partly due to my anxiety to reach
home and also because non-partisan
discussion on this question is no long
err recognized. l 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 a party
representing Imperialism and sound
money and another party which, IN OPP
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 relinquish-
ment of the Philippines. If the Flip
mos are not STdHleu llleil
then imperialism would be the main
issue in the presidential election next
year, crowding all other issues into
the background The signs are al
ready apparent and I see that the
Cincinnati Volksblaat warns us as
dollows:
practical people are Of the opin-
ion that Mr.. Schurz could be of great
err service to the country if he would
come to Ohio and again fight the silver
sWindle instead of working into the
hands of the free coinagers by plac-
ing annexation into the foreground.
For it is fact free coinage represents
a greater danger than annexation.
II am of O. different pattern. No
one can say to me that ] undervalue
the danger that may arise from free
coinage But I hold that imperialism
is decidedly more dangerous, for it
means the ruin of our free institutions
If. then. we could not oppose imperial
ism without working into the hands
of the free coinagers, as the Volksblaat
says, what then? 1t means that three
years ago in good faith we elected
president to solve the money question,
who. instead, mas burGened us with
imperialism. In this connection the
warning to speak of something else
sounds peculiar.
"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 us
TO hold up our heads in answer to
anti-imperialistc arguments. And the
rest of the orators do likewise.
IF, under these circumstances, /
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
capital out of it. Toward such result
] cannot conscientiously contribute.
Il am of the honest conviction that
the greatest danger that now threat
ems the republic is imperialism. l be-
leve that it is our highest patriotic
duty to set aside all party interests and
to do our best to avert this danger,
opposed the candidacy of Roosevelt for
governor in this state | did this, al
though I was a personal friend of
Roosevelt and worked with him for
civil service reform. Many of my ac-
quaintanees here, who We're then of a
contrary opinion, agree with me now
that the result of the sacrifice would
have been well worth the price, The
situation this year appears to me to
be exactly the same. If the fan
elections result in a manner that the
administration and congress are en-
couraged to further progress on the
path of imperialism, then, unless I'M
1ooked-for events should intervene, 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 sacrifices. Such en-
couragement to the administration
should be withheld at any cost
We are in the midst of crisis in
which every good citizen should regard
it as his highest duty to make the
least important subseryient to the inn
portant, according to his knowledge
and Conscience, and not permit him.
self to be governed simply by party
considerations
With friendly greeting, yours,