The San Francisco call., 1899-10-19
BOURKE COCHRAN
ON IMPERIALISM
Yet Time for America to
ReCede.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

CHICAGO, Oct S.-The anti-imperialist
meeting at Central Music Hall came to a
close tonight, Hon. Bourke Cochran of
New York delivering the oration of the
evening. The hall was filled and the re-
marks of the orator were greeted with ap-
proval by those present. Mr.. Cochran
based his objection to the policy of the
Government on the broad ground that one
people had no right to force a government
on another. He discussed the question in
a diSpaSSionate manner, claiming that
there were many reasons why the United
States should hold the islands. but no rea-
son why it should attempt to force upon
any people a form of government to
which that people objected. The confer
ence adjourned at the conclusion of Mr..
Cockran's address, those in charge of the
meeting expressing themselves as de-
lighted with the success of the affair
In the course of his speech Mr.. Cochran
said:
In dealing with the fruits of the late war
two courses are open to us-one, the old
course of treating our success as an oppor-
tunity To wrest from the conquered foe the
utmost he can be made to yield; the other.
to establish new standard of justice in the
deelings of nations with each other by refus-
ing to accept either tribute or territory for
ourselves and by making the conditions of
peace provision for Improving the conditions
of
If, on the other hand, we conclude to ac-
cept other reward than the establishment
of free and benehcent governments in the ter
ritories wrested from Spain, we will show that
we did not take up arms for conquest or plum
der but for justice and humanity.
The President proclaiming such a policy so
novel and so enlightened would take place
in history distinct and conspicuous as that
OF Abraham Lincoln, while this country would
acquire a moral influence among nations un-
precedented and unparalleled.
The example of a great country redeeming at
the close of a successful the profession
: with which II begun-risking the lives and
treasure of Its citizens for no other purpose
than for the of suffering people from
intolerable oppression-woud produce such an
effect the world that It would be difficult
for any other country to make war for a
baser purpose.
1t would be inspiring answer to the uni
versal aspirations for peace which brought into
existence the recent conference at The Hague
Our Eastern complications prevented us rem
dering q priceless service to humanity and
gaining unreasonable glory for ourselves at
The Hague, but that opportunity is by no
means lost. The policy of civilization and hu-
people even If the President fails to initiate it
aye. even If he should oppose 1t. Indeed, the
glory Of establishing ourselves in the primacy
of civilization will be increased, not lessened
If II be achieved by the people themselves in
spite Of the officers who control our Govern
ment.
/ do not say this through a desire to make
any issue with the executive. l repeat that
the purpose Of this conference is to promote
unanimity, not to aggravate division. What
ever we may think of the Presidents action,
it is only fair to admit that the policy to which
casts the only shadow of doubt on his own poll
tical prospects If the issues of the next cleo
tion were confined to the preservation of exist
ing economic conditions / don't think any
American doubts his campaign would have been
a trlumphal march TO success. Whatever
doubt now clouds the result he. has. himself
created, and however this may affect our opin-
ion Of his prudence. it should be accepted as
proof of good faith.