The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-15
GOV. LIND AND ANr1-1MpERrAL1sM

So sar from being an anti-expansionist,
Gov. Lind expressed himself at the meet
ing held in Minneapolis last Tuesday
night, under the auspices of the Anti
ImperiaHst. league. as desiring to see the
expansion of the United States along lines
in harmong@&ith national ideas He fur
-ther said that he desired to see open
markets for our trade, and his opposition
to the present policy of the government
appeared to be based upon the danger to
American institutions attending the war
Of military aggression now being waged
in the Philippines, and the hideous in
congruity Of a free people, living under
such a constitution as that Of the United
States, using their military power to sub
jugate another people who desire freedom
and self-government as much as did the
fathers of the American Revolution or
the patriots of Cuba
His opinions, briefly expressed at that
meeting, stamped Gov Lind as a man of
wise and conservative views, possessing
a true idea of his country's greatness,
desiring its welfare and the expansion of
its commerce, and the pure spirit of
American patriotism. While regretting
the aspect which the Philippine war has
assumed he did not and never has utter
ed one word which even an enemy could
construe to be disloyal to his country or
his flag, or not in concordance with the
spirit Of the constitution.
It remained for the Republican speakers
present at Tuesday nights meeting to
express sentiments towards President Nc
Kinley and his administration, and re-
garding the war which savored of dis
loyalty to the flag
The presiding officer at the meeting was
Henry ]. Fletcher, president of the Min
neapolis Anti-Imperialist league and we'll
known as an attorney in the Mill City
Mr.. Fletcher is a Republican and support
ed Mckinley in 1896
Rev. W. B. Riley, who delivered the ex-
traordinary opening prayer at the meet
ing. is pastor of the First Baptist church
In Minneapolis. He is Republican and
supported Mckinley in 1895
Howard L. Smith, of Chicago, who was
the principal speaker at the meeting, and
gave utterance to some of the strongest
expressions, is a gold Democrat who
supported Mckinley in 1896.
And this Minneapolis meeting was sim
ply a type Of similar meetings being held
in different parts Of the country, and the
class and character of the speakers in
Minneapolis was fairly representative of
the speakers and active leaders in the
movement in the Eastern states and else
where. For instance United States Sen
ators Hoar and Mason are Republicans.
and the Illinois senator is peculiarly vio-
lent against the present Republican ad-
ministratlOn. Hon. Thomas B. Reed
whose anti-imperialist views are strong.
but not loudly expressed, is a Republican
of Republicans. Mr.. Atkinson, the father
Of the movement, is a Republican, and
Carl Schurz, another leader of the anti
imperialist movement, supported McKin-
ley in 1896
No true Democrat would go to the
lengths of some of these dissatisfied Re-
publicans in this Or any other movement
10 true Democrat, and among them John
Lind would ever suggest anything which
would tend to dishonor the country's flag.
impair its prestige or dim its glorious ira
ditions. The principles of the Democratic
party are based upon the principles OF
the constitution, and for that reason. be-
cause they believe the constitution means
exactly what 1t says, they deplore the
present war. But they would be the
last to counsel peace without honor. and
there breathes not a Democrat with
soul SO dead who would pray that the
arm Of his country's enemy might be
strengthened, or join in such a prayer
Such petitions, such hopes, such senti-
ments can never emanate from Democ.
racy.