Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1899-08-25
As TO IMPER1AL1sM.

AS TO IMPERIALISM.
The following is the address in part
Of Prof. George F. Heron, of Iowa
college delivered at the immense Audi
torium meeting in Chicago on "Ameri-
can Imperialism April 10 last, in the
MONDAY lecture course of the National
Christian Citizenship league:
A few months ago this nation had
the master opportunity Of the ages-the
opportunity to initiate an altogeth-
or new sort of international politics;
the opportunity to become political
messiah to the nations of the world.
Never in history was nation falser to
its opportunity; never has nation
more shamefully and ignobly failed,
and chosen such darkness in the midst
of the full shining of so great light.
The best lessons of our history, the
wisest teachings and warnings of our
fathers, even the commonplace tradi-
tions of our political platforms, have
all been set at naught. Through our
government we stood sacredly pledged
to certain course of action before the
nations of the world. Without even
sufficient sense of honor to feel the
shame of dishonor, that government
has distinctly violated every pledge,
so that we today stand before the ma
tions as a nation perjured and shame
less.
But now follow the course of this
war, and follow it in its developement
of violated pledges. This develope-
ment is in itself revelation of what it
means to betray cause. From the
beginning until now, the war has been
continuous scandal and commercial
debauchery. We have little concep-
tidn, and probably the truth will never
be known, of the hideous and remorse-
less greed that has held sway behind
the scenes, which every Investigating
committee seeks to keep curtained.
The management of the Cuban war
was merely dress rehearsal of the
great and tragic drama Of greed that is
being played in every industrial center
of America. Our sons were not slain
upon the battlefield; no, but slain by
the hordes Of speculators and politicians
having army ''pulls" and contracts
American greed and commercial de
bauchery staying tens where the Span
ish have slain one.
And then again: The Cubans ar,
not free. We have driven out spain
but the secretary Of war is proceeding
to divide up Cuba among stock specu
lators and corporate interests. w
have driven out lnediaevial tyrany, an,
American exploitation has taken it
place. And no one can read the news
papers that in any sense represent wha
is officially going on, without knowing
that there is not the slightest intention
on the part of the administration to Sc
Cuba free. It is a foregone conclusion
so far as the existing order Of things i
concerned, that Cuba shall be annexed
and, if necessary. civil strife induced
in order that we have excuse for an
nexation. Annexation is the purpos'
and the craft, of the present moment
To keep what we get and get all w
can is the policy of the government
Now it is absolutely certain that thi'
administration never had any policy o.
principles beyond pleasing it's masters
Notwithstanding all the pious politica
cant OF our chief executive, notwith
standing the pronunciamentoos which
are all inconsistent with each other
the policy Of the administration risei
and falls with the interests of private
corporations.
But it is to the Philippine Islands W.
must turn when the question of imper
ialism is raised. What did we find il
those islands?
Now what have we done? First O
all, we have shamefully and persistent
ly misrepresented the Philippines to th'
people of America, as man after mar
who has independently gone among
them and studied their character ha
testified. The press reports and th'
government censors of the news, il
every possible way, give the worst ant
most untruthful impression that can b.
given to the world.
Second: After having taken then
into our confidence, after havin,
sought their cooperation in the expec
tation Of their liberty, we outrageousl.
denied their commissioners a hearin.
at Paris; we treated their commissions
in America in such manner that h
practically had to flee for his life Tn
commissioners of the Philippines hav
been refused any hearing as to thei
future. The attitude of this govern
ment towards the ENJOYS of a peopl
struggling for liberty is as outrageou
and infamous, as tyrannical as trea
sonable to human life, as any thing i
modern political history. In othe
words, we gained the confidence Q
| &h;s ,,oo,,1o oithar unon absolute1v falls