The evening times., 1899-09-13
WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 10. 1899.
The Exposition Boycott.

The size representative character. and
enthusiasm of the mass meeting at Ma
sonic Temple last night. held to protest
against the Dreyfus infamy al hennes'
and to promote the popular international
movement to boycott the Paris Exposition,
ought 10 warn the Administration against
the danger of ignoring public sentiment
which is something more than mere
passing wave of excitement.
Within the next ten days similar gath
erings will be reported from every i'm
portant city in the Union. and by the time
Congress meets in December there VIII De
few Representatives uninstructed by ther
constituencies as TO what they must do TO
prevent national participation in the
French fair. The American people are
thoroughly aroused. They viii angriiy re-
sent any action on the part OF the ENecu-
tive calculated 10 defeat the boycott. Not
q pound OF the Government exhibit has
been prepared for shipment, but We are
told that the work is TO be rushed, so that
all the material may be gotten out OF the
country before Congress can get chance
mands the watchful consideration of all
friends of liberty and justice. In existing
circumstances the forwarding of the Gov
ernment exhibit will amount TO defiance
az American opinion. If, nevertheless, the
purpose OF the Administration is carried
out the fact should be religiously remem-
tared in November 1900.
oil The whole idea
OF boycotting the exposition appears TO be
obnoxious TO our federal authorities, and
the masses of the country who are bent
upon effecting it may rest assured that
their movement will be met at every point
and blocked if possible by the Republican
syndicate in control of the Government
The reason is not far 10 seek There are
fat places and fine sum OF taxpayers
money to spend in connection with the
American commission. Its chiefs expect
% come home with the red rags OF the
Legion of Dishonor in their buttonholes.
Bevond this consideration float the code
signals of the ocean transportation COM
panies. who have counted on making mill
ions out of vast army of American tour
lists next year. Incidentally, We may re
mark that these corporations have been
confidently expected 10 pour a golden
stream into the bottomless rathole of Mr..
Hanna's next educational campaign
fund The time to uncork that orifice is
very nearly at hand, and, from the Nc
Kinley headquarters point of view, il
would never do at such juncture 10 dis
courage some of our best business in
terests"
We desire 10 emphasize these facts, be
cause they suggest the immediate need of d
thorough national organization for the pur-
poses of the boycott. Merely local ebulli-
tions of evaporation over French infamy
and resolutions of sympathy for Dreyfus
will not accomplish the object. Every mas
meeting should appoint a permanent COM
mittee 20 confer with other like committee:
20 the end that arrangements may be mad,
for the formation of national committee
whose duty it should be 10 perpetuate thi
agitation, caution intending exhibitors and
travellers, and 10 keep the American peoplt
advised as TO the names and location OF
manufacturers or dealers who persist in
identifying themselves with the exposition
in spite of the universal feeling that ne
American can do so with self-respect.
In this way at least the unofficial Ameri.
can show can be made to consist of vacan
space. There is no time TO lose. Sentimen
is hot and ripe for organization. II tn,
opportunity is neglected now the movement
will die out for lack of definite aims an,
intelligent direction.