The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-28
PUTa PARTY TIES ASIDE
MCKINLEY ELECTED TO SOLVE
THE MONEY QUESTION.
HE BURDENS US WITH IMPERIALISM
A Far worse Danger Than free Silver, Says
Carl Schurz, the Friend of the Y, How
Metal. Will Not Aid Repub-
Leans In Ohio.

Cincinnati, Ohio, October PA NUM-
Der of prominent German citizens re,
Gently addressed an invitation to Hon.
Carl Schurz to deliver an address in
Cincinnati.
The following reply was received to-
day:
New York, October 23rd, 1899.
Dear Mr.. Ratterman:
1T was matter of regret to me to
be unable to accede to your request to
deliver a non-partisan address ON I'M
perialism in Cincinnati on my return
trip from Chicago. This was partly due
to my anxiety to reach home and be-
cause a non-partisan discussion of this
question is no longer recognized.
would be pleased if this question could
be taken out of party politics, because
if this is not done the only choice that
will be left us next year will be between
party representing Imperialism and
sound money and another party which,
in opposition to Imperialism, will com
bine 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 hositilities.
by victory of our arms, but the relin-
quishment of the Philippines. If the
Eilipin0s are not granted their indepe1i-
dence then imperialism will be the main
issue in the Presidential election next
year. crowding all other issues into the
background. The signs are already APP
parent and | see that the Cincinnati
Nolksblatt warns as follows:
" Practical people 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 swim
die instead of working into the hands
of the free coiners by placing annexa-
ton in the foreground. For it is a fact
free coinage represents a greater dam
ger than annexation
Il am of different opinion. No one
can say of me that j undervalue the
danger that may arise from free coin
age. But / hold that Imperialism is de-
cidedly more dangerous, for it means
the ruin of our free institutions. II.
then, we could not oppose imperialism
without working into the hands of the
free coiners, as the Volksblatt says,
what then? 1t means that three years
ago. in good faith. we elected Presi-
dent TO solve the money question, who
instead has burdened us with imperial
ism. 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 Roosevelt. for instance. dilatf
upon the silver question? He was priTl
cipally occupied in calling us copperhead.
in answer to olrr anti-imperialistic argll-
ments. And the rest of the orators dc
likewise
IF under these circumstances j would
Ny the agitation of the silye- question aid
the Republicans of Ohio to vistory,
would he convinced that the Administra.
ton would constrIIe such victory as the
endorsement by the people Of its imper-
falistic policy and make unlimited capital
ont of it, Toward such result | can no.
conscientiously contribute.
II am OF the conviction that the great
est danger that now threatens the Re
public is Imperialism j believe that il
is our highest patriotic duty to set aside
all PARTY interests and do our best to
avert this danger 1t was to this end
that last year | opposed the candidacy OF
Roosevelt for Governor in this State
] did this although / was a personal
friend OF Roosevelt and worked with him
for civil service reform. / believed
then, and still believe, that his defeat
with his imperialistic programme and III
spite of his dear earned fame would have
frightened the Administration in Wash
ington from the annexation of the Phil
pines and in this manner the danger
would have been greatly minimized.
MANY of my acqIIa;ntances here, who
were then of contrary opinion, agree
with me now that the result of the sacri-
fee would have been well worth the price
The situation this year appears to me to
be exactly the same. If the fall elections
result in manner that the Administers
ton and Congress are encouraged to
further progress on the path to imperial
ism, then. unless unlocked for events
should intervene. the main question that
will confront us next year in the Presi-
Dental election will be Imperialism and
TO save the Republic from hfr greatest
daDlger will require unpleasant sacri-
fees. Such encouragement to the Adj
ADMINISTRATION should be withheld at amy
cost
eve are in the midst of a crisis in
which every good citizen should regard
it as his highest duty to make the less
important subseryient to the more inn
portant, according TO his knowledge anc
conscience. and not permit himself to bt
governed simply by party considerations
with friendly greeting. yollrs,
(Signed) sc. SGHURZ."