The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-10-20

ened by the spectacle, the President
went on, to repeat at every subsequent
stopping place the same stock phrases
about the flag.
Meanwhile, at the meeting in
Chicago, the serious and representa-
tive character of which may be infer
red from the fact that at its evening
session the Hon. J. Sterling Morton, of
Nebraska, presided, and the Hon.
Carl Scaurz made the principal adj
dress, very different views and senti-
ment were expressed. In calling the
meeting to order, Temporary Chair
man Edwin Burritt Smith, of Chicago,
spoke in part as as follows:
"'It was some IS months since Mr..
Mckinley, with professions of reluct-
auce, deliberately changed simple
naval position before Manila into a
complex military position in Asiatic
territory. The army was sent to de-
fend a flag hoisted without right on
foreign soil. 1t was sent to transform
war of liberation in the Western
Hemisphere into war of conquest in
| Asia-in word, to commence a war
of criminal aggression
1.-THE attempt to stifle all criticism
of the acts and policy of the admins
tration by the sophistical argument
that, having plunged us into an I'M
necessary, unjust and unconstitu-
tional war, the administration isnever-
theless entitled to the support of every
citizen, is thus easily met and explod-
ed by Mr.. Smith:
1.-THE acknowledged obligation Of all
loyal citizens to support the Govern
ment in times of great national peril
is urged to quell opposition to mere
| ly volunteer policy, which is still with
out defenders on it's merits. Thus q
dangerous precedent is in process of
establishment. Ifany Administration
may ignore the issue upon which it
was chosen, deliberately create con-
dition of war anywhere on the face OF
the globe, debauch the civil service to
obtain spoils with which to promote
the adventure, and demand of all
citizens q suspension of judgment and
unanimous support while it chooses to
continue the fighting, we shall soon
enjoy the blessings of chronic war
| fare"
The position of Mr.. Mckinley is
vigorously attacked, and the purpose
of the opponents of his policy in the
| Philippines to make that an issue in
the coming Presidential election is
distinctly avowed. 1.-THE real firing
line" continues Mr.. Smith, sis not in
the suburbs of Manila. 1t is here.
The enemy is of our own household.
| He comes to us prating of loyalty, and
uttering fine phrases about 'benevo-
lent assimilation priceless principle
and hoisted flags. The attempt of 1861
was merely to divide the country.
That of 1899 is to destroy its most
cherished ideals, to make shipwreck
of what has made it distinctive among
the nations. Whether the ruthless
slaughter of the Filipinos shall end
next month or next year is but an in
| cident in a contest that must go on
| until the Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution of the United
States are rescued from the mire OF
| militarism. In this contest we shall
| neither ask or give quarter. Those
who have betrayed the fundamental
principles of our being as q nation
| must be driven from public life. This
is the supreme issue. Those who
would dispute about exchanges and
mere measures of value while the
house burns over their heads will not
be heard"
"These are strong words, but no
stronger, probably, than the occasion
and the situation justify. And it is
not tue intention, apparently, of those
who have called together this present
conference to stop with mere words;
they mean 10 make their actions square
with their sentiments. Says Chairman
Smith: This conference should make
it known at once, towhom it may con-
Germ, that we propose next year to con-
tribute to the defeat of any party that
shall then stand for the forcible sub
jugation of any people; that we shall
oppose the reelection of any man who,
in the White House or in Congress,
shall have betrayed American liberty
in pursuit of empire And the vener.
able ex-Gov. George H. Boutwell,, Of
Massachusetts,, Grants Secretary of
the Treasury, in a letter to the confer
ence, which was read, says:
"'The President should be held re-
sponsible for the war in the Philip
pines and for the sacrifice of life and
the expenditure of treasure incurred
in its prosecution. The conference
should announce its purpose to oppose
his reelection, and its further purpose
to oppose the election of members of
Congress that may sustain his policy
This, at least, is frank and unequivo-
cal, and its significance is not likely to
be lost upon the politicians in either
of the great parties. The present con-
ference, it is intinated, is only pre-
liminary to another and larger meet
ing, to be held, possibly, upon Wash.
ington's birthday, the 22d of Febru-
airy, 1900.
Don't forget the Democratic