The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-09-21
(BY A. McGREGOR.)

Mr.. Mckinley became president on !,
March 4, 1897, succeeding Grover Cleve-
land. This country was then at peace
with all the world. The second war Is
not concluded, that in the Philippines,
and the Chinese trouble is yet pending.
These two wars may call for more
troops. The public debt has been In
creased, and taxation made heavier.
Distant wars are costly affairs In money
and men. Imperialism is not desired by
the American people, but Is by the Han
ma schemers and the trusts who are in
the plot. Secretary Hay recently an
nounced that the United States was at
peace with all the world. and General
Otis declared some time ago that the
war in the Philippines was over. The
American people know how little truth
there Is in these claims.
President Mckinley in his elaborate
letter Of acceptance, does not explain
away satisfactorily his statement that
It was "our plain duty" to give Porto
Rico free trade with the United States
as our states and territories have al
dent does not inform us why plain
duty" was abandoned and duties laid
upon goods going to and coming from
the island. Undoubtedly the change
was made at the command of some in
fluence. some trust or protection gen.
tlemen who wanted no free trade with
Porto Rico, although the American flag
waves there, and it Is now American
territory. Does 1t not deserve brotherly
treatment at our hands? Why this diff
ferentiation? Why did the president
abandon plain duty?" Is not free
trade between these states blessing!
Why should 1t not be with Canada and
Mexico? Will 1t not be with Cuba and
Porto Rico? The claim that Porto
Ricans get the benefit don't explain
for II was to benefit others In fact.
Senator Wellington was no more hos
tile to the imperial policy Of the admin
istration than Senators Hore and Hale
but these two lack the sand. Mr.. Wei.
lington thinks the administration Is
British affair, and that with all theii
buncombe against hauling down tbs
flag. they would lower 1t at the com
mand of Great Britain. Indeed, have
they not in Alaska?
The talk about the dinner pail witt
something in 1t, may be step abov'
hunger, but 1t is not affluence and In
dependence. Wage earners In the mili'
nova days know this, especially, whei
mills shut down for an indefinite per
fod. The wages in the mills are mucl
lower than they used to be, and more U
REQUIRED. All this Is especially true II
the protected mills, two or three time
the number of loomes being attended Z
by each hand, and at less pay.
The Commercial traders and Hote
mems antitrust leagie have Joined tn
national association Of Democrati
clubs. They number about 10000 mem
bers. and expect to add two or thre
hundred thousand more for Bryan be
fore election.
The growth of the league has bee
phenomenal. 1t publishes month";
paper entitled "Talkative Facts" whic
contains articles by well-known writer
bearing on the trust question from IN
standpoint of the commercial traveller
and hotel men. 1t Is well for men I
unite and consider their means OF live
lihood, and looking to competence an
independence. Laboring men shoui
be their own masters as much as pos
sible, and not be too much dependen
AS a rule mill hands, in protected
Industries, get a bare living, and whe
the mill shut down they are soon destl
tute. The mills in Lawrence, Mass
shut down a few weeks ago for an IN
definite period, the two largest bein
the Arlington, employing 1000 hands
and the Pacific with over 5000. Thes
are British affairs, and came here fc
= "protection." OF course they are =
Mckinley. This shows that protectio
may keep out goods, but not men.
The condition in Lawrence, Mass
is another specimen of Mckinley "proi
!, perity," and this is not the only piac
The anthracite coal strike Is now OF
and almost all, out of the total or l4S,o'
men employed are now out. These me
did there best to arbitrate, and arrang
but all efforts failed, and nothing wa