The Anaconda standard., 1899-01-23

than twelve and half millions of peo-
pie in these conquered islands. Yes,
our constitutional president is going to
govern them by his personal will. and
will you tell me that the act will not
afford him a swelled head?
Mr.. Eustis referred to the late war
with Spain and contended that the sign
ing of the peace protocol after sueing
for peace by Spain was in itself suffi-
cient to decide the question involved.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, was the
next speaker. Mr. Gompers severely
criticised the inconsistency Of the Unit
ed States government in going to war
to free the Cubans and of denying the
same measure of freedom and liberty
to the Fllipinos. He declared that thu
flag of the nation should never be used
to hide tyranny. He said that it is not
at all improbable that the Filipinos will
yet become part of the standing army
of the United States and might yet be
called upon to shoot down American
Wage-earners. He said it was imposst-
bic to subdue people by force of arms
and at the same time maintain our free
institutions.
| w. Bourke Cochran, the next speaker
SAID This heresy of imperialism
sweeping over the country IS threaten
ing the stability of our institutions and
our measure of free government. 1t is
a policy of infamy. In this country of
ours the home OF alien races, we are
now raising aloft our hands in pro-
test against a policy which, If success
, full will obscure the horizon of the
whole human race. Shall this country
step down from the high eminence
which she has attained in the family of
nations in the matter of Imperialism?
When we are asked to take this step, it
is but natural that we ask it's promul-
gators to unravel their pretenses, and
When we do so we find them advocat-
ing contradictory arguments. The
question of Imperialism and expansion,
boiled down to it's true import, is a
dangerous policy to either adopt or pllr-
sue. The imperialists tell you that trade
follows the flag when, in fact, every
American knows that the opposite is
the case. 1t is the flag that follows
trade. Is it part of the principles of our
Tree and independent government to
proceed to civiliZe weaker people by
first shooting and then robbing them?
We shrink from the responsibility i'm
posed upon lis by destiny and when we
fail to become convinced of this ap-
peal to destiny we are charged with be-
ing un-American. This child Of destiny
is a new growth in this country, but in
the old world he is as old as human de-
pravty,
No nation, particularly the American
nation, can have a citizen soldiery and
mercenary army. 1t is against the
faith of Washington and the signers of
the declaration of independence The
lmper1alists of to-day would have YOU
believe that Washington and the franz
ers of the constitution descended on the
capitol at Washington and played
havoc with the nation. and were, OF
course, decidedly un-American With
regard to the Philippines, If we are to
become barbarous, let US excel in ol1l.
barbarity, as we have excelled in our
civilization, all the other nations of the
world. Let us not substitute the weight
of cannon balls for moral integrity and
support. | confess I am in favor of
expansion, If it is meant, in the right
direction. In this case everything de-
pends upon what is meant by the right
direction. II we want expansion, why,
mere to the north of us, lies country.
which is natural part of us. Why not
annex Canada? I'd be delighted to see
that line of customs houses beyond our
border blown into the great lakes and
our line of territory to the north of us
extended to Baffin's bay. Deeply as I
desire annexation with Canada, | would
not nave it by force Of arms. The his
tories OF Alsace and Lorraine and of
England's treatment of Ireland but too
well illustrate the foolshness of annex
alton by force and coercion Now if
england likes us, as she claims she does,
let her convince Canadians that their
true destiny is with us"