The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-02
REPLY TO GOV. ROOSEVELT.
ALTGELD TELLS or THE DANGERS
OF MILITARIsM.

Much Enthusiasm at the Meeting OF
Ohio Democratic Clubs AItgeld
Called Attention to Some weak
Points in RoOseveIt's RecOrd-POI-
icy and Acts of the Administration
Were Scored.
Toledo o.. Aug. IA light attendance
but much enthusiasm marked the second
days session of the Ohio Democratic
Clubs. The principal speech of the meet
ing was delivered tonight at the Lyceum
by ex-Gov. Altgeld of Illinois. He spoke
in reply to the address of Gov. Roose-
welt before the National League of Re-
publican Clubs at St. Paul. Gov. Alt
geld said among other things:
I'VE have seen the spectacle of a major
general of the United States army. who
was sworn to defend the constitution and
was paid a salary by the government for
that purpose stand up in his gorgeous uni
form and tell an assembly of wine drink
ing magnates that the constitution was
no longer binding.
Now after a career of unparalleled
splendor, after having been the hope of
the human race for century. after hav-
Ing shaped the civilization of the age 1t
is solemnly proposed to abandon the prin-
ciples that made us great, to come down
from the nights where we have been beck
onfng the nations. and to get on the low
er plane of brute force, and enter into
a scramble with the despotic nations of
the earth in an attempt TO plumber weaker
people. Incredible as it may seem, at the
close of this marvellous century, which is
the child of the Declaration of IndeDend-
ence, we are asked to go back to those
principles which have cursed the world
for thousands of years. and which, If
again given sway, will bring back the
dark ages
For forty years the Republican party
has controlled the policies OF this govern
ment, while during that-time- the-D enae-
Gratis twice elected a President yet dur
ing one term they did not have control
or Congress. and during the other nothing
was done that changed the policy of the
government. | wish 20 speak kindly Of
the Republican party; II came into the
world with great mission and when
guided by Lincoln, it stood for Justice
equality and humanity; but with the wip-
ing QUE of slavery its mission was per-
formed. and il passed into the hands OF
corruptionlsts until 1t stands for exactly
the opposite principles of those that were
represented by the martyr president.
Since the Civil War every method of
plumber that genius of man could invent
has been practiced; government has been
used to enrich the few.
Through the special privileges obtain
ed from the government. great combna-
tons and syndicates known as 'trusts'
have been formed, which are to-day de-
vouring the substance of the American
people which control every great indus
try all the means of transportation con-
troll the money of the country, have de-
stroyed the small, Independent men of the
land; have destroyed the hopes of the
young men of the land; have made an in
dependent and honorable career for
young man Impossible.
Recently a gentleman in New Yorl,
VINO mad become famous for having hefn
alone In Cuba-a gentleman who has
adopted as his life motto or coat OF arms
two 'Ps' and a double IS" which four
letters signify 'pompous posing and
strenuous strutiing left the capital Of
New York and went to ST Paul and de-
liNered speech to the association of Re-
publican clubs. The speech has not. from
beginning to end single argument. or a
sirgle accurate historical reference; a
see Oh that Is made up of invective, ms
representation ard vituperation.
Referring to the Democrats he said:
They stand for lawlessness and d sorder.
for dishonesty and dishonor for license
and disaster at home. and cowardly
shrinking from duty abroad
This is a reflection on the intelligence
and patriotism. and the honor of every
Democrat in the country 1t Is a personal
IL suit to the six and one half millions Of
men who supported Mr.. Bryan in 1896.
and TO tho eleven millions of freemen who
are going to support him in 1900
He gives no facts and advances no
arguments in support OF this charge. 1t
is simply an assertion. He puts himself
I'm evidence. ASIDE from truthfulnsss, II
involves his sincerity and discretion.
who, then, is this man, and what Is
his his DRY?
Il find ii recorded tina, years ago he
was a member of the New York LeglsIa-
ture. and on one occas on he reused tho
hopes Of the country by making a speech
against class which he called the crlni-
mol rich But he al once dashed those
hopes by turning around and voting with
and for these very criminal rich whom
he had denounced.
In the years 1878 he held a Federal
Office IN Washing on, ard In or Ter to es-
cape paying his taxes in New York he
signed an affidavit and swore before the
everything Gcd that he was not citI-
zen OF New York II this was true, then.
under the constitution 81 New York he
would not have been eligible for the Gov
ernor OF that state. BY subsequently ac-
cepting n nomination and election TO that
Office he showed that he d'd not believe
his own affidavit This being 50. may II
not he that he does not b lieve the charge
whichehe ras made against us?
1T is next recorded that he entered the
Spar wsr in Cuba, and although his
regiment was commanded by another
man, he succeeded by means Of that mod