The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-23
In 4 Letter Grover Cleveland Said He Is
Opposed 10 Expansion Craze
Ex-AMBASSAB0R EUSTIS' REMARKS.
Claimed The Signing Of The Peace Protocol De-
clded The Question Invoked Remarks BY
Samuel GompeY and W. Bourks Cochran.

Of citizens was held in the Academy OF
Music last night under the auspices of
the Continental league for the purpose Of
protesting against the policy of imperial
ism and entangling alliances with Euro
"pean powers. The meeting was attend
ed by great crowd. Austin G. Fox pre-
sided.
Communications were read from ex-
President Cleveland and William Jen-
nings Bryan. regretting their inability
to be present. Mr.. Cleveland in his letter
said: II am so opposed To the expan-
sionist craze now affecting our body
polite that any organization formed in
opposition to ii has my hearty sympathy
and approval"
Mr.. Bryan said that he was fully in
sympathy with every effort put forth to
save the nation from the dangers of inn
perialism.
The first speaker OF the evening was
Hon. James B. Eustis, former United
States ambassador to France. Mr..
Eustis said in part: What a strange
sight A meeting Of intelligent Ameri-
can citizens on American soil protesting
against imperialism and the imperialistic
policy of the American government. The
representatives Of the people of this great
country are combating the idea, and
hardly feel as though were living in the
republic OF the United States | feel as
though were living instead in some con-
tinental country where Imperialism is
recognized
The president OF the United States"
continued the speaker, will on March (
next adjourn congress, which viii not
meet again until December, during which
time he will become military dictator of
more than II, 900 OF people in these
conquered islands. Yet our constitu-
tional president is going TO govern them
by his perso al will"
Mr.. Eustis eferred 70 the late war with
Spain and contenGed that the signing Of
the peace protocol after the sueing for
peace by Spain was in Itself sufficient TO
decide the questions involved.
Samuel Gompers was the next speaker.
Mr.. Gompers severely criticised the ac-
tion and inconsistency, he said of the
United States government in going to
war to free the Cubans and OF denying
the same meaeur, freedom and liberty
10 the Filipinos. The flag of the nation
should never be used to hide tyranny.
He said that il 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 10
shoot down American wage earaers. He
said it was un-American Il subdue a
people by force OF arms and at the same
time maintain our free institutions.
w. Bourke Cochran, the next speaker
| said This hcresy OF Imperialism Is
| sweeping over the country and is threat.
| ening the stability Of our institutions and
| our measure of free government 1t is
policy Of infamy. This country of ours
the home OF alien races, is now raising
aloft its hands in protest against q
| policy which, If successful 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 i'm the matter OF
| Imperialism? When we are asked tC
| take this step, ii is but natural that We
ask it's promulgators to unravel theii
| pretenses and when we do so we FIND
| tnem advocating contradictory argu
ments. The question of imperialism anc
expansion boiled down To its true i'm
port is a dangerous policy TO either adopt
or pursue. The imperialists tell you tina
trade follows the flag when in fact ever!
American knows that the opposite is tn,
case. 1t is the flag that follows trade.
"Is il part Of the principles Of our fire,
and Independent government TO proceed
to civilize a weaker people by first shoot
ing and then robbing them? We shrinl
from the responsibility imposed on u.
by destiny. and when we fail TO be con
vinced OF this appeal TO destiny, we ar,
| charged with being un-American Thi
child of destiny is a new growth i'm thi
country, but i'm the ola he is as old a
human depravity. =
NO nation. particularly the America
nation, can have a citizen soldiery and
mercenary army. II is against the fait
Of Washington and the signers OF tn
declaration ~ independence. The t~,