Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-01
IMPERIAL POLICY DENOUNCED
Eloquent Speeches at a Great Chicago
Mass Meeting.
WORDS OF PROTEST AND OF
WARNING UTTERED BY BISHOP
j. L. ULDING-SHOUTS OF
TREASON" DROWNED IN THE
CHEERS OF THE AUDIENCE
FOR THE SPEAKER-THE RES
OLUTIONS ADOPTED.

tI1C COul SG I'll IIlC clllOA VIII
reference to the Philippine islands.
Once or twice the proceedings were in
terrupted by protests of those who dis
agreed with the sentiments of the
speakers.
Prof. J. Lawrence Laughlin, of the
University of Chicago, in speaking of
the national policy toward the Filipi-
nos said
There the flag is the emblem of tyr
amy and butchery!
Cries of Treason" came from the
gallery, but the cries were quickly
drowned out by approving cheers.
When Bishop j. L. spaulding, of
Peoria. declared that England has
never been a friend of this country"
an Englishman near the platform
cried That's lie" Without MOTTO
ing the interruption the bishop contin-
ued his address.
Bishop Spaulding said in part:
eve are at present
IN THE MIDST OF A CRISIS
in which lack of thought and delibera-
ton 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
perialism, to standing armies, to
alliances with foreign powers and fin
ally to the disruption of the Union it
self. 1t is not too late, because it is
still possible, probable even, that the
American people will reconsider the
whole question 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 purpose Of becoming an
empire, but for the purpose of helping
others to throw off the yoke of a tyran-
nical Imperialism, will see that to be
blinded and led away by success is too
weak and foolish: or rather, since here
the highest interests of humanity are
at stake, is to be wicked and criminal.
If this may not be, then the American
people have degenerated, they have lost
their hold upon the historical causes
and the political habits which led to
the founding of our institutions and to
the marvellous growth and prosperity
of our country.
1--WE shall not believe that the gain
unprepared foe have power to throw
us into such enthusiasm or such mad
ness as to turn us permanently from
the principles and policies to which we
owe our national existence, our life and
liberty; or that destiny,
THE DIVINITY OF FATALISTS
and materialists, can weaken our faith
in the God of justice, righteousness and
love, who scorne and thrust far away
those who having the giants strength
use it to Cypress or destroy the weak
and ignorant.
1--WE have never looked upon our
selves as predestined to subdue the
earth, to compel other nations with
sword and hell 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
ings in this half world which God has
given us, but we have never dreamed
that they were articles to be exported
and thrust down unwilling Threats at
the point of the bayonet. We have
sympathized with all oppressed peoples
with Ireland, Greece, Armenia, Cuba.
TO emancipate the slave we gladly sac
rifced the lives of hundreds of thou
sands of our soldiers. And now the
American soldier who should never
shoulder a gun except in a righteous
cause, is sent ten thousand miles
across the ocean to shoot men whose
real crime is that they wish to be free,
wish to govern themselves. To say
that they are unfit for freedom is to
put forth the plea of the tyrant in all
ages and everywhere. The enemies
Of liberty have never lacked for pre-
texts to justify their wrongs; but, in
truth, at the root of all wars of con-
quest there lies lust for blood or for
gold.
IF the inhabitants of the Philippines
came gladly to throw themselves into
our arms we should refuse to do more
than counsel, guide and protect. them
until they form themselves into sta
BILE and independent government. What
then is to be thought of those who
seemed resolved either to rule or exter-
inmate them believing probably that
the only good Filipino is dead Fill
pino.
THE argument that our policy has
from the beginning been one of expan-
sion
HAS NO APPLICATION
an the present crisis. In purchasing
r~~-xs--..s -. $500