Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1899-06-01

the needs of the country. That num-
Der must have been sufficient, because
the Republicans did not ask for any
more, and they would not have been
too bashful TO ask for more men had
they needed them.
"What, may ask, has happened
since 1895 to require more soldiers, ,ex-
cept that we have been afflicted with
Republican party. II a Republican
administration requires more soldiers
with prosperity in sight. or now pres
ent, as they tell us, how many bayo-
nets will it require in times of adver-
sity7
''Instead of the President asking for
a temporary increase, he asked for a
permanent increase of 100 per cent.
1t takes 100000 soldiers when you 60
from republic to an empire. n any
native born citizen thinks there is no
danger from militarism, Il asked him to
ask some foreign born citizen, who has
fed the old country, to describe 1t.
"When this nation has a chance to
sit in judgment on a proposition that
means that we should assist monarch
ical countries In their troubles and
that they should assist us in ours.
have faith that the people will regis
ter themselves on the proper side, and
stand on the Declaration of ludepend-
ence rather than apologize for 100
years for the course the imperialists |
would have them pursue"
The speaker then took from his
breast pocket a clipping, and read
from it an extract, the substance of
which was the denunciation of the |
doctrine OF ''might is rightn as the
doctrine Of the highwayman.
"My friends" he asked In conclu-
sion, edo you know from what that
extract have just read was taken9 1t
was taken from the proceedings of
the FIRST Republican convention ever
held-in 1855. am free to say that
heartily endorse the denunciation Of
the highwaymen's doctrine, but see
the Republicans have receded from
their former view.
'fThey tell us we are going forward,
In carrying out our present policy OF
expansion, and that those who oppose
this policy would have the nation go
backward. would rather go back
ward TO the Jeffersonian era than for
ward to the 1s-inch gun policy of ex-
pansion.
"Listen to the words of our good
friend, President Mckinley, net SO
very long ago. He said, referring to
the Cuban question; we do not
mean nor contemplate foroible annex
alton of the islands-that would be
criminal aggression Yst,my friends,
that was only q short sixteen months
ago. How times change. stand to-
day In the self-same spot where the
President stood at that time, and l
utter the same sentiments. l like to
commend my friend Mckinley when
ever he says a good thing-the only
trouble is, never get chance to say
1t until after he has changed his mind
on the subject.
''The reason touched upon i'm
perialism is that do not like to let 3
day 60 by without saying something
against that doctrine.
"This nation is not prodigal son;
this nation lie not ready to return to
the folds of European nations. My 4
prayer is that the crowned heads of
Europe may never have the privilege
of killing the fatted calf to celebrate
the return of the United States of
America to the folds OF monarchism. -
HON. CHAMP cLANK INTRODUCED.
Congressman Clark, Of this district,
was one of the prominent speakers
present. Mr.. Clark is here quoted
briefly. He was received with en-
thusiastic applause and said:
"The Globe Democrat has been de-
claring for q month that this anti
trust dinner and meeting tonight was
only conspiracy on the part of GER
tain, Democrats to side-track free
silver as an Issue in the next cam
paign. Well, Pm one Of the conspIr-
ators, l guess, but I'm free to say
that the silver issue is alive and kick
ing to- day, Just as it was In 1896.
sThe Democrats Of Missouri, who
fought so long and 80 hard under
Dick Bland, God bless him, for the
silver Issue, are not going to be side
tracked without somebody getting