Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1899-12-08

1.-The administration seeks to COM
lete the destruction of self-government
in the Philippines before the American
people can pass Judgment upon it's
course. It seems to be thought that
with the death by American hands of
the first attempt at self-government
in Asia all opposition here will cease.
This is huge mistake. Much as we
abhor the war of criminal aggression
in the Philippines, greatly as we regret
that the blood of the PHILIPPINES is on
American hands. we more deeply resent
the betrayal of American institutions
at home. The real firing line is not
in the suburbs of Manila. It is here.
The enemy is of our own household.
He comes to us prating of loyalty and
uttering fine phrases about benevolent
assimilation, priceless principle and
hoisted flags.
'The self-assumed powers which Mr..
Mckinley claims in the Spanish islands
cannot be exercised by government
which is to remain representative. Des-
potic power bas appeared at Washing
ton to dispute the field with delegated
authority. These hostile forces are as
old as history They cannot exist to-
gether. We may still choose between
them.
Those who have called this confer
ence believe that every effort should
now be made to arouse and organize the
opposition, which is known to exist in
all parties, to MIR. Mckinley revolution
ary policy, We hope that this confer
ence will result in systematic effort
throughout the country to organize anti
|imperialistic leagues and committees of
correspondence. This should be sup
plemented by the holding of liberty
meetings, and the largest possible cir
Iculation of liberty publications. Some
time prior to the political conventions
of next year, perhaps on Washington's
birthday, a larger conference should be
held to determine, in the light of the
then situation, how the opposition to
imperialism shall be given effect in the
campaign of next year.
This conference should make it
known at once to whom it may concern
that we propose next year to contribute
to the defeat Of any party that shall
then stand for the forcible snbjugation
of any people, that We shall oppose the
reelection of any who in the White
house or in congress, shall have betray.
ed American liberty il pursuit Of
empire
The republican party has not vet de-
clared the old loyalty to be the new
treason. Both the war and the new
policy are s,ill Mr.. McKinley's own
There are many who still hope for an
other case of scapegoat early next year
that shall leave both parties free to sup
port and defend the Declaration of In
dependence in the closing campaign of
the century. Whether we shall thus
avoid the supreme issue between repub-
lie and empire may now be determined.
Program of Teachers Local Institute
to be held in Canton Dec. 16, 1899
Song by the pupils of the Canton
High School.
School room decoration: Miss Hattie |
F]ory of Dist. No. 49,
Geography: Miss Elizabeth Abbott Of
Dist. No. 1. j.
Question for discussion: Resolved,
that the influence of the parent is q |
more potent factor in the government
Of the school than the teacher. Affirm
ative: G.. q. Lawrence Dis. L., Miss
Marie Anderson Dis. 1S. and E. E. Yer
non Dis. 1. Negative: s. c. Stevenson
Dis. 81, Mamie Morkvedt Dis. II. and
A. O. Quien Dis. 13.
Song by the pupils of Canton High
School. .,fs
We wish the High School room filled
% it's utmort capacity with patrons of
our schools. G. G. LAWRENCE, j.
B. CLENDENNEN: Com.