Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-17
ADDRESS OF HON. CATO SELLS.
Synopsis Of His Speech Delivered wednes-
day Before the Iowa Democratic State Con-
vention in Session at Des Moines

ial legislation since the close of the
war, large fortunes have accumulated
in the hands of the few who are I'M
willing to bear their just proportion
of taxation, whether direct or indi-
rect.
The experience of every government
where it has been fairly tried is that
an income tax is the most just and
equitable way of raising revenues yet
devised, and 1 Shall be grievously dis
appointed if the democracy shall not
perpetuate the fight even to an amend
ment to the federal constitution with
national and state legislation that will
insure its enactment and enforcement.
The grandest, because it was the
most unselfish, military achievement in
the worlds history was accomplished
when Spain surrendered to the United
States and Cuba was released from CO.
lonial tyranny. Immediately follow
ing our declaration of war, the Amer
lean congress solemfily proclaimed to
the world that the United States
hereby disclaims any, disposition to, ex-
ercise sovereignty, jurisdiction OF, con-
troll over said island, except for pacifi-
cation thereof, and asserts its deter1ni-
nation when that is accomplished to
leave the government and control of
the island to its people, That dis
claimer breathed the spirit of TO 1t
respected the federal constitution and
reaffirmed the Monroe doctrine. To
have saidN then that it applied only TO
Cuba and not to other Spanish possess
sions would have been mockery of our
pretentions. To say so now, is to turn
back the wheels of time.
If the Cuban resolution was an hon
est expression of our intentions, how
can we justify our refusal to extend
like treatment to the Filipinos? From
the standpoint Of an American, the
Philippine war is without justification
in law or morals, 1t is contrary to our
traditions and institutions, and in con-
flict with the principles for which the
revolution, rebellion and Cuban war
We're fotlght.s president Mckinley has
never announced his policy towards
the Philippines. and upon that ques-
tionitfle Republican state platform is
as silent as -olthep grave. William
Mckinley, in his dual capacity of pres
ident and commander-in-chief of the
army, is carrying on the Philippine
war without authority OF congress. He
is wholly responsible and we must de-
termine his policy accordingly. Is
there any possible doubt but that the
presidents Philippine policy is colo
NAL empire, militarism and English al
lance? Is not such policy destined
to advance the prophecy of the vener-
able republican Senator Hoar, who
said "the downfall of the United States
will date from the administration Of
William Mckinley?
Imperialism involves not only the ac-
QUESTION of remote territory by con
quest, but denial that governments
derive their just powers from the con-
sent of the government. Never before
has this question been squarely pre-
scented to our people, and now only be-
cause the president has usurped the
powers of congress and disregards the
constitution. The acquisition and per-
manent retention of the Philippines
means colonial expansion in its most
radical form.
The war in the Philippines should
be brought to a speedy close, the Fill
pinos given self-government on the
terms of the Cuban resolutions. Let
us give to others the liberties vouch-
safed to ourselves, and for the first
time write on history's page National
Liberator.
We have reached crisis in our ma
tional life. The Declaration of Inde-
pendence, Federal constitution and the
Monroe Doctrine are being devoured
by avaricious cannibals. The money
trust, industrial trust and patriotic
trust have masked, in the false garb of
Destiny for a, desperate attack.
The state and national campaigns
upon which which we are about to enter will
be the turning point for the republic
and its people. The armies are form
ing in battle array. The call for en-
listment has been made. 1t is not
what ry99pq, have, 4 been but what
you now AT are that. puts your name on
the muster roll. Loyalty to the cause
for which we, fight Is the only require
ment.
Our commander is democracy's
greatest leader-the able, fearless and
incorruptible champion of equal rights
and human liberty--the modern Tho
mas Jefferson-William Jennings Bry-
! an.