New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-24
OPPOSING ANNEXATION.
ANTLIdPERIALISTS AT BOSTON-BoUT-
WELL AND COCHRAN SPEAK.

Boston. Feb 23.-W. Bourke Cochran OF New
York championed the cause of the anti-imperiai-
ISIS 81 a mass-meeting held in Faneuil Hall to-
night under the auspices of the Anti-Imperiaist
League. The attendance was not so large as at
scme previous popular meetings. George S. Bout
well Ex-Governor of this State, president of the
Anu-Imperialist League. was the presiding officer
He appeared upon the platform accompanied by
Mr.. Cochran and Edward Atkinson. Mr.. Boutwell,
called the meeting to order and delivered from
manuscript address.
Mr. Boutwells subject was "Which-President
McKinley's Colonial Policy His Territorial Pol
fey, or Free Government According to the Const-
tuition for Cuba. Puerto Rico and the Philippines"
lie said In part:
here they misht sympathize with the oppressed
and that here they might denounce the oppressors
selves for our own iberfies for our fights and
our country BETRAYED by Those IN P9weT ION
OF peoples and States TO our will by force Thus
are engaged in enslavng our felow-men.
In the war of conquest which President Mch AiI
ing the support of majority of the representatSe
81 fh Sf o p9y ee The Pres
dent IS not allowing the Inhabitants of the Philip
regard to their own government, He demands sub,
form He has organized military governments in
the Islands and to the extent that he can exercise
Gers as President Mckinley may set over them.
Congress makes no provision Tor the government
between the colonial policy of Great Britain and
present there will not be an avowaI of public
policy If the ADMINISTRATION has choice of ways.
I put this question: Are to follow the lead
snd invite the fate Of all the colonial empires
from Macedonia to Spain? Or are we to expand
for ten Oriental States incapable of self-govern,
With Share in governing yq us? anticipate that
the people will demand free government for Cuba.
and I am confident that the man and the party
Of 90 hp a l
the side Of Lincoln. and the party that saved the
Government upon the basis of the equality of men
in the States and of the equality of States in the
At the conclusion of his speech he introduced
". Bourke cochran who said in part:
Nobody deny that the establishment Of
colonial empire by this Republic would work
may differ as to whether this change would be
leading through profitable conquest gu to glory
lieve. leading through profitless tyranny to hope
Had the people of the Philippine Islands submit
ted quietly 10 be transferred like mercantile as
iished fact and the policy Known G as American for
century would have been abandoned completely
The decision OF this momentous issue is reserved
While Imperialism remained underlined policy
II was easy tc deceive or at least TO bewilder the
nary and inconsistent merits.
The Illuminating feature of this measure is the
proposal TO impose discriminating duties COM
Inodities produced in Puerto Rico seeking access
Jhe necessary consequence Of this proposal the
states can be governed Independently of the Con-
1t may be that this particular attempt to impose
discriminating duties against Puerto Rican prod
ncts viii be abandoned Public INDICATION may re
duty" 1t may replace the War Department in full
prudence" and restore the chairman of the Ways
and Means Committee to his better bill and his
better self. But whatever the fate of this meas
nEe nothing can now obscure the principle on
adopted toward Puerto Rico there is no doubt that
the protective policy viii be enforced against the
people Of the Philippines.
Mr. Cochran then defined the objects of protec-
lion. ami continued:
Government the principle revealed by. this
measure Is government not for protection of the
governed but for the profit of the governing power
narrow the bower Of he Co9stitop sboyyId r 20
gard the men who seek to extend its power
with Edmunds and Boutwell, and Reed and Sher-
man p, and Hoar Than patriot with Hanna or Lodge
commerce nothing is stupid as dishonesty. His
pillage
Tae speaker used this illustrate the decay
of Spanish power and afterward attempted to show
that Imperialism not justified by the acqusi-
ton of louisiana. He aided:
For this Government TO exercise power over any
body independently of the Constitution is estab-
!lsh a system capable OF becoming the most abb
OF the Constitution apply 10 officers of the Govern
When the President undertakes govern with
out the sanction of the Constitution of course he
governs without shadow of moral right His au-
thority would depend purely force, and
authority resting on force must be maintained by
iorce The ultimate source of his authority will
be the Army. but his control of the Army depends
upon the Constitution. If the Constitution does
issue order the officer commanding the forces
there. If the Constitution gets into the island ALL
II must get there entire If its powers be invoked
It's limitations must be obeyed
The silver question cannot enter into this
Nass, because II cannot be decided by this election
Inere Is Just one question which be decided
oy II, and that Is the question of Imperialism
Without regard te individual ambitions or prefer
enoes this campaign will be waged on the issue of
100. and not upon the issues of 1896 or what may
be the issues Of 1904
While 1t is obvious that the silver question can
not enter into the canvass of 1900. ] think that
the heart of the party is welded to it If in 1904
IN Inc Presidential election would carry
OF Congress, then / think the Democratic party
VIII again declare for free coinage and then shall
De as ready TO oppose them as in 1896.
Jhose or US who opposed the Democratic can
didate four years ago did not do so merely on a
declared in favor of silver is to / the coins
mlnted under il to be legal tender only for debt
arising under future contracts. the majority O.
would have regarded il as unwise proposal but
IL would not have involved consequences so serious
2 to have driven of the party When how
coinage of the country effect a change in exist
ing contracts, then most of believed that the
of such attempt would be a fatal blow
at orderly government. The sacredness of con-