Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-11-09
CARL SCHURZ ON IMPERIALISM


A number of prominent German citi-
Gems of Cincinnati recently sent an iu-
vitation to Carl Schurz TO deliver au
address In Cincinnati. Inc foiioWipe
reply was received by them; -,
Nav York, Oct, 23--I,ear Mr.. Rat
termnnn. II was matter OF regret 10
me to be unable to accede to yoni re-
quest to deliver non-Eartisan ADDRESS
on imperialism in Cincinnati on my re-
turn trim from Chicago. This was
partly due to my anxiety to reach home,
and because q non partisan discussion
of this question is no longer reeog-
nized. would be pleased II this .ques-
ton could be- taken out of party politics,
because il this is not one, the only choice
that will be left ,,s next year will be be-
tween party representing impeI ialism
and sound money and another party
which, in opposition to imperia ism,
/ will combine with it AN unsound money
| ISSUE This Alternative can only be
avoided il the imperial policy is re-
moved, and the first step necessary to
| that end is not alone the cessation OF
hostilities by victory of our arms,
| but the relinaushment of the Philip
| pines. If the Filipinos are not granted
| their Independence, then Imperialism
will be the main issue in the Presi.
Dental election ncxt year, crowdinR al
other issues into the background. The
signs are already apparent and set
that tho Cincinnati Volksblatt warns
as follows 81.
practical people are of the oEinior
that Mr.. Schurz could be of greater ser
vice to the country IL he would come t.
Ohio and again fight the silver swindl'
instead of working into the hands o
the free. coineis by placing annexation
id the foregr ound. For it is fact fret
coinage represents greater dange
than annexation,
am of different opinion. No ONT
can say of me that | underralue thu
danger that may arise from free coin
age. But | hold that Imperialism i
decidedly more dangerous, for 1T mean
the ruin of our free institutions. If
then, we could not oppose imperialism
without working into the hands of tn
free coiners, as the Volksblatt says
what then? 1t means that three year
ago, in good faith, we elected Presl
dent to solve the money question VIII
,, instead has burdened us with imperial
ism. In this connection the warning I
speak of something else Is peculiar.
OF what do the speakers who hav
been called into Ohio really speak? Di
Governor Roosevelt, for instance, dilat
upon the silver question? He wa
principally occupied in calling us Coz
; peiheads in answer to our anti-imperi
; alistic arguments. And the rest of tn
orators do likewise.
If under these circumstances | woul
J by the agitation of the silver questio
aid the Republicans of Ohio to victor
would be convinced that the admin!
= = tration would constrne such victor
: as the endorsement by the people of i
imperialistic rolicy and make unlimite
capital out of it. Toward such r,
suit cannot conscientiously contribut
/ am OF the honest conviction tn;
the greatest danger that now threatel
the republic is imperialism. l belle,
:, that it is our highest patriotic duty
set aside all party interests and do o,
! best to avert this danger. 1t was
: this end that last year opposed Il
: candidacy Of Roosevelt for governor
: this State. | did this although was
4 personal friend of Roosevelt, and workt
: with him fer civi-seryice reform.
!, believed then, and still believe, that h
= defeat with his imperialistic pr
= gramme and in spite Of his new-earn,
!. fame would have frightened the a
:. ministration in Washington from ii
- annexation of the philippines, and
y this manner the danger would ha
been greatly minimized.
Many of my acquaintences here, vi
were then of q contrary opinion, agr
with me now that the result of Il
. sacrific would have been we'll wor
\ the price. The situation this year a
= pears to me to be exactly the same.
I, the fall elections. result in mann
Il that the administi ation,an Congress a
!. encourage to further progress on I
70 path of Imperialism, then, unless u
70 70 looked for events should intervene, t
40 main question that will confront us ne
- year in the Presidential election W
~ ~ be imperialism, and to save the repu
~ lie from her greatest danger will requi
w w unpleasant sacrifices. Such cncourat
y inent to the administration should
4 withheld at any cost.
- We are in the midst of crisis
i, which every good citizen should rega
nc nc it as his highest duty to make the Il
- a' important suhsel Went TO the more i
III portant, according to his KNOWLEDGE a
as conscience, and not permit himself
a. "' be governed simply by party conside
y, tiohs. With friendly greeting. your.
T., @. Schurz