The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-01
Vigorous Anti-Imperialistic Meeting
Held In Chicago.
PROMINENT PEOPLE THERE
AGAINST EXPANSION
BY SPANISH METHODS.
One Speaker Says That We Are Not
Predestined to Subdue the Earth,
or Compel Other Nations, With
Sword and Fire, to Accept Our
Rule-Victory Over a Weak Foe.

Chicago, April S0.-Central Music Hal
was this afternoon filled with an au-
| dience gathered to protest against the
course of the administration with ref
erence to the Philippines. Once OF
twice the proceedings were interrupted
by protests of those who disagreed with
| the sentimnts of the speakers.
Professor ]. Lawrence Laughlin OF
the University of Chicago, in speaking
of the national policy toward the Fiji
! pinoS, said:
There the flag is the emblem of tyr
amy and butehery.
Cries of Treason came from the
gallery. but the cries were quickly
, drowned out by approving cheers.
When Bishop ]. L. Spalding of Peo-
been a friend of this country" an Eng
lishman near the platform cried
That's lie." Without noticing the in
terruption, the bishop continued his
address.
DR.. Henry Wade Rogers, president of
Northwestern University. acted as
chairman. Besides him, the speakers
were Professor Laughlin, Bishop Spald-
Ing, DR.. Lloyd Jones, Edwin Burrill
Smith, Sigmund Zeister and Miss Jane
Adams. The following resolutions
were adopted:
The frank expression of honest con-
victions upon great questions of public
policy is vital to the health and even
to the preservation of government.
Such expression is, therefore. the sa-
cred duty of American citizens
I'VE hold that the policy known as
Imperialism is hostile to liberty and
tends to miiitarism, an evil from which
1t has been our glory to be free. We
regret that it is now necessary in the
land of Washington and Lincoln to re-
affirm that all men, of whatever race
or color, are entitled to life. liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. We still
maintain that governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the
governed. We insist that the forcible
subjugation of a purchased people is
criminal aggression and open disloy-
atty to the distinctive principles of our
government.
Could Have Been Avoided.
ave honor our soldiers and sailors in
the Philippine islands for their unques-
toned bravery: and we mourn with the
whole nation for the American lives
that have been sacrificed. Their duty
was obedience to orders; our duty is
diligent inquiry and fearless protest.
We hold that our. own government
created the conditions which have
brought about the sacrifice.
I'VE earnestly condemn the policy of
the present national administration in
the Philippines. 1t is the spirit of '16
that our government is striving to ex-
tinguish in those islands; we denounce
the attempt, and demand its abandon
ment. We deplore and resent the
slaughter of the Filipinos as a. needless
horror, a disgrace to our people.
I'VE protest against the extension of
the American empire by Spanish meth
DDS and demand the immediate cessa-
ton of the war against liberty, begun
by Spain and continued by us. We be-
lieve that foolish pride is the chief
obstacle to a speedy settlement of all
difficulties. AS Mr.. Gladstone said to
England, We are strong enough to
cast aside all consideration of false
shame, walking in the plain and simple
ways of right and justice.
Our government should at once an
nounce to the Filipinos its purpose to
grant them, under proper guarantees of
order, the independence for which they
have so long founght. and should seek
by diplomatic methods to secure this
independence by the common consent
of nations. 1t is today as true of the
Philippines as it was a year ago of the
Cubans that they Are and of right
ought to be free and independent !"
President Rogers Speech.
President Rogers, in his address, said
he had faith in the sincerity of Presi-
dent Mckinley. He said the president
had declared that he desired to be gov
erned by the wishes of the people in
dealing with the Philippines. This
being the case. he certainly wished ex-
pressions of opinion from both sides.
He denied that those who favor eXpan-
sion have monopoly OF patriotism,
and he denied that the United States
has any moral or legal right to scoop
in the Philippines. Bishop Spalding of
Peoria, Ills, said in part:
I'VE are. at present, in the midst of a
crisis, in which lack of thought and de-
liberation may lead us far from the
ideals which as Americans we have
most cherished, and expose us to evils
of which we scarcely dream. We stand
at the parting of the ways. 1t is not
yet too late TO turn from the way which
leads through war and conquest to i'm
perialsm. to standing armies. to alli-
ances with foreign powers and, finally
TO the disruption of the Union itself
1t is not too late, because it is still pos
sible. probable even. that the American
people will reconsider the whole ques-
ton of the complications in which our
victories over Spain have involved us,
and calling to mind the fact that they
did not enter into this war for the pur-
pose of becoming an empire. but for the
purpose of helping others to throw off
the yoke of tyrannical Imperialism,
viii see that to be blinded and led away
by success is to be weak and foolish:
or. rather. since here the highest inter
eStS of humanity are at stake, is to be
wicked and criminal. If this may not
be. then the American people have de-
generated. they have lost their hold
upon the historical causes and the po-
litical habits which led to the founding
Of our institutions and to the marvellous
growth and prosperity of our country.
Victory Over Weak Foe.
1--WE shall not believe that the gain
of few naval battles over a weak and
foe has power 10 throw us
into such enthusiasm or such madness
as to turn us permanently from the
and policies to which we owe
our national existence, our life and lib
erty; or, that destiny, the divinity of
fatalists and materialists, can weaken
our faith in the God of justice. right
eousness and love, who scorn and thrust
far away those who having the giants
strength. use it to Cypress or destroy
the weak or ignorant
1--WE have never looked upon our
selves as predestined to subdue the
earth. to compel other nations with
sword and fire to accept our rule; we
have always believed in human rights, |
in freedom and opportunity in educa-
ton and religion, and we have invited |
all men to come and enjoy these bless |
ngs in this half a world which God has |