The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-28
IMPERIALISM IS
VERY DANGEROUS
Letter of Carl Schurz to Mr..
Rattermann.
WAS INVITED TO SPEAK
If Filipinos Are Not Granted Their In
dependence, Annexation Will be
the Main ISSue in the Next

Cincinnati, O., October ga number of
| prominent German citizens lecently ad-
dressed an invitation to Hon. Carl Schuzr
to deliver an address in Cincinnati The
following reply was received today:
East 64th ST., N. Y, Oct. 27. q
Dear Mr.. Rattermann:-It was a matter
of regret to me to- be unable to accede to
your request to deliver a non-partisan ad-
dress on Imperialism in Cincinnati on my
return trip from Chicago. This was partly
due to my anxiety to reach home and also
because a bipartisan discussion of this
question is not recognized. l would be
pleased if this question could be taken out
of party politics, because if this is done
the only choice that will be left us next
year will be between a party representing
Imperialism and sound money and another
party which in opposition to Imperialism
will combine with it an unsound money
issue. This alternative can only be avoided
if the imperial policy is removed and the
first step necessary to that end Is not alone
the cessation of hostilities by victory of
our arms, but the REIMBURSEMENT of the
Philippines If the Filipinos are not
granted their independence, then imperial
ism will be the main issue in the presiden-
tial election next year, crowding all other
issues into the background. The signs are
already apparent and | see that the Gin
cinnati Volksbatt warns as follows:
practical men are of the opinion that
Mr. Schurz could be of greater service to
the country If he would come to Ohio and
again fight the silver swindle instead of
working into the hands of the free coiners
by placing annexation into the foreground.
For 1t is fact that free coinage represents
a greater danger than annexation.
81 am of a different opinion. No one can
say of me that l undervalue the danger
that may arise from free coinage. But
hold that imperialism is decidedly more
dangerous, for 1t means the ruin of our
free institutions. If, then, we could not
oppose imperialism without working into
the hands of the free coiners, as the -Voiks-
blatt says, what then? 1t means that three
years ago in good faith we elected presi-
dent to solve the money question, who, in
stead, has burdened US with imperialism.
In this connection the warning to speak OF
something else sounds peculiar. OF what
do the speakers who have been called into
Ohio really speak? Did Governor Roose-
question? He was principally. occupied in
calling us copperheads in answer, to our
anti-imperialistic arguments And the rest
of the orators do likewise.
.'If under these circumst auces l would by
the agitation of the silver question aid the
republicans of Ohio to victory, l would be
convinced that the administration would
construe such victory as the endorsement
by the people Of its imperialistic policy and
make unlimited capital out of It, Toward
such result can't conscientously con-
tribute. am of the honest conviction that
the greatest danger that now threatens the
republic is imperialism.
1.-THE situation thus appears to me to be
the same as in 1896, If not a ldttle aggra-
waited. With friendly greetings, yours,
(Signed) CARL SCHURZ."