The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-28
Committee on Notification.
Following is Mr.. Stevenson's response:
SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTANCE

STEVFNSON'S ACCEPTANCE.
Bloomington. Ill, Sept. %. = Gentle
men: BY your communication of Sept.
5. L am officially advised of my selection
as the candidate of the Peoples party
for the office of vice president of the
United States to ill the vacancy upon
your ticket occasioned by the resignation
of Hon. Charles a. Towne
L cannot too earnestly EXPRESS my ap-
probation of this manifestation of the
confidence reposed in me by your com
represent. Nor can | withhold the ex-
preston Of my admiration for the gen
efous action of Mr.. Towne in his en-
deavor to secure the harmonious CO.
| operation of all the supporters of Mr.
Bryan in the pending presidential con-
test
The action of the Peoples party in Sc
iecting candidates outside of its own or
ganiZa ton is almost without precedent
IN our political history The explanation
is found in yoUr own candid declara ton:
THE members of the Peoples party in
all sections realize that we have reached
a crisis in which the very life of free
institutions is inyolved-ai crisis in which
mere party considerations are of second
airy Importance and should be laid aside
until the peril is aVerted'
Upon the important questions of
finance, of domestic administration and
Oh reform in our methods of taxation.
the platform of the Peoples party gives
no uncertain Sound. 1t is no less en-
phatic in it's demand for a return to the
lures OF the public money. The further
demand for wise and efficient legislation
locking to the suppression of trusts can
not fail to challenge the attention of all
thoughtful men.
THE OVERSHADOWING ISSUE.
In common, however, with the Silver
Republicans and the Democrats, you
recognize the important fact that all
these are but questions Of the hour. In
the presence of the oVerShaGoWing issue
of imperialism others are but as the
dust in the balance. 1t is not strange
then, that there should now be concert
of action between those who sincerely
believe that crisis has been reached in
which mere party consideration are of
secondary Importance.
Involved in the settlement of this great
question are consequences Of deep i'm
port to the American people. The SUI
preme gravity of the issue cannot be
measured by words. AS was truly said
by an eminent Republican senator: 1.-The
question is greater than parties, greater
than administrations, greater than the
prosperity and happiness of single gen
ration.
It is well even now to recall some of
the recent events of our history. Before
''breaking the peace of the world, con-
gress, referring to Cuba, supplemented its
the words, 1.-THE United States hereby dis
claim any disposition to exercise sover-
eighty, jurisdiction or control over said
islands, except for the pacification there
of and asserts it's determination when
that is accomplished to leave the gov
ernment and control of the island to It's
people.
1t was this solemn declaration by the
American congress that justified the war
at the bar of our own conscience and that
of the world. The pretenSe= now that this
disclaimer upon our part implied only to
Cuba and not to the other Spanish de-
tendencies is to palter with words in
double sense.
Existing conditions abroad nosy chal-
lenge our serious thought, whether we
will or no. Spain has been conquered,
and the Specification of Cuba'-the de-
cIared purpose of the war secured. And
yet we find ourselves still engaged in
war; a war, too. against our former al
war against people 5000 miles distant.
and of whom, until recent years we had
scarcely heard. 1t Is
AN EXPENSIVE WAR.
having already cost nearly two hundred
millions in money and thousands of val
ed by each American voter now and in
November is: Why this war? What is to
be our Justification at the bar of history?
All mere words and Qualification of the
flag aside, the sad fact remains that 1T is
purely war of conquest; war of sub
jugation against a people, who, as has
been eloauently said: In their struggle
for independence have interposed the dec
laration of Jefferson as a shield against
the attacks of his own ceuntrymen. Six
ty thousand soldiers are now in the Phil
the sacrifice of treasure and human life
before the conquest is completed no man
can know. And when completed what
next? How are these islands to be held
and governed? Does any sane man doubt
that it can only be done by force; by the
power of the army and of the navy? And
this not for day, or for year, but for
time. All this implies the exercise Of
power unknown to the constitution. 1t is
very truly government outside of the
constitution. 1t means the adoption by
the American public of the colonial meth
DDS of European mOnarchieS. 1t means
the right to hold alien peoples as sub
| ing agency in government. In word, 1t
foreshadows the empire.
More than this. following close in the
wake of imperialism, as the night the
day, comes the immense standing army.
The dread arm of militar,Sm is to be
rlade bare in the new world as 1t is in
the old The strong are of power is to
which for more than century have
brought contentmeEt and happiness to
all our people. Existing conditions in
continental Europe ca failing taxation
and misery to the verge of human en-
duranee-illustrate by sad object lesson
the inevitable result of large standing
armies in time of peace.
NEW DUTIES.
Conditions now existing in the Philip
pine islands for which we 2Ee-in meas
ure responsible impose new duties upon
US. These people are entitled to our pro-
lection against the cupidity and aggreSs-
i've spirit of other nations. And this. not
to the end of subjugation upon cur part.
but to that of the full enjoyment by them
of liberty and the ultimate establishment
of stable government fashioned by their