The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-10-19
"AUNTIES' !.
ILLUMINATE
Opponents Of the Policy Of
Expansion Get Together
in Chicago. 49,.
President Actually Accused
Of Wanting to Keep
the Philippines.
BY Wire From Chicago, Oct. IS.

The opposition of the anti expansionist
to the subjugation of the Philippines tool
tangible form yesterday in the meeting O
16O delegates from different parts of tn,
country to launch a crusade against tn,
policy OF the administration in the Phil.
ippines.
The meeting was called to order in Central
Music Hall by Temporary Chairman Edwin
Burritt Smith. of Chicago
Mr.. Smith spoke as follows
1T Is my pleasure to bid you welcome tn
this conference on behalf of those who
suggested 1t and in the name of the great
most OF Chicago men and women to whom
the declaration Of independence and the
constitution Of the United States have not
yet become nursery rhymes The situa-
tlon Is too grave and the occasion too i'm :.
portant for any extended words of welcome.
l proceed at once, by request of the com
m1ttee OF arrangements, briefly to state the
situation and suggest what we believe this
take. 80 :. - 800 80.
1T is now some IS months since Mr.
Mckinley. with professions of reluctance
de!loerately changed a simply naval position
before Manila into complex military stu
alton on Asiatic SOIL The army of occu-
tado was not sent to protect the naval
force under Admiral Dewey It was NOT
sent to support a declaration that the Fiji
pinos as we'll as the Cubans are and OF right
ought to be free and Independent, II was
sent to defend a flag hoisted without right
on foreign soil. 1t was sent to transform
war OF liberation in the western hemis-
phere into war of conquest in Asia-in
word, TO commence a war of criminal
aggression. Men recruited to fight for. lih--
erty in Cuba were sent to fight against lib-
erty in the Philippines Mr.. Mckinley thus
transformed a war for humanity in Cuha
into war of humanity in the East.
The vital defect in this policy lies IN its
purpose to extend American sovereignty by
force over alien and fully occupied terri
tory. Here lies the sharp distinction be-.
tween Nv our openly avowed policy in Cuba and
MI McKiniey's long carefully yelled mir !
pose in the Philippines. It was this that
made him break faith with invited and ac-
accepted allies. 1t was this that caused
him again and again to spurn and reject
the many overtures from the leaders ~ the
1t was this that led hin, '4 4o
brand as rebels a vast population that
never owed allegiance to the United States
1t was for this that he declared and CON
t1nues cruel war which he may stop at anv
was for this that he has vainly
sought to bride Aguinaldo to betray the |
cause OF his people. 1t was for this that |
he re-established polygamy and claverv |
under the American flag. His purpose tn |
make the Philippines a permanent possess |
sion OF the United States is the root of |
a
character Of American institutions is
destroyed; that purpose foiled, the way
'ut is alike easy and honorable.
1T is assumed by those who have rushed
o Mr.: McKinley's defense that it is for
he United States to give good govern
nent to the islands of which we have de-
rived Spain. 1t is even suggested that
We from time to time graciously bestow
lpon their people such measure of self
government as in our superior wisdom we
nail ceem them fit to enjoy DR.. Abbott
proposes that by military edict Mr.. Me-
linley should abolish the palpable infoui-
les Of the Spanish law. and establish the
fundamental principles of Ahglo-Saxon |
aw' as an object lesson of what American
Utilization means Some OF us have come
, regard American civilization as meaning
other than military edicts even
l quest OF benevolent ends. We are taught
nat American government could under no
circumstances exercise other than defe-
ated power, that it could not be a source
ut only an expression of authority.
The administration seeks to complete
ne destruction Of self-government in the
nllpplnes before the American people can
ass judgment upon Its course. 1t seems to
e thought that with the death by American
ands OF the first attempt at self govern
ent in Asia all opposition here will cease |
his is huge mistake. Much as we abhor
le war of crimianl aggression In the
Iii P1nOS, 6icolIy dS we regret that the
God OF the Filfpinos is on American hands.
e more deeply resent the betrayal of |
merican institutions at home. The real
ring line is not in the suburbs of Manila.
Is here. The enemy is of our own house,
'id. He comes to us prating Of loyalty
ID uttering fine phrases about beneyolent
sanitation, priceless principle and hoisted
lgs
The self-assumed powers which Mr.. Nc
lnley claims In the Spanish islands cannot
exercised by a government which is to T
main representative. Despotic power has
peared at washington to dispute the field
It'll delegated authority. The hostile
rces are as old as history. They cannot :
list together. We may still choose he
1een them. a
OBJECT OF THE CONFERENCE. 9
Those who have called this conference
lieve that every effort should now be
ade to arouse and organize the Opposition t
lich Is known to exist in all parties. To O
:. McKinley's revolutionary policy. We
pc that this conference will result in a p
stematfc effort throughout the country n
organize Anti-Imperialistic leagues and
mmittees of correspondence This should a
supplemented by tie holding of liberty G
settings and the largest possible circula- !.
n Of liberty publications. Some time
Tor to the political conventions of next
ar. perhaps on Washingtons birthday a .
ger conference should be held to determ-
}, In the light Of the then situation. how e
opposition to Imperialism shall lie given Y
ect IN the campaign of next year.
[his conference should make it known at l u
&c, to whom IT may concern, that we pro- | il