Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-24

resolution submitting such an amend
inent, nut his efforts were futile. IN lN.Z
the resolution recommended by President
Johnson and urged by Congressman
Weaver. finally passed the House OF Rep
fesentatives, but u has not yet reached
a vote In the Senate and now, after
tlsht years more Or public discussion, the
proposition for the first time has received
NE enforcement Of the national conven-
uon OF one OF the great parties.
IN me early COS. when we were en-
gagged IN contest which WAS to deter
mine whether we should have one repuD-
nc or TWO, questions Of finance were lost
sight OF. Silver was AZ a premium over
goid ana both gold and silver were ~ a
premium over greenbacks and banknOtes
but the people could not afford to divide
over the money question In the presence
81 greater issue. And so. today. we
are engaged in a controversy which viii
determine whether we are to have q re-
public IN which the government derives
us. Just powers from the consent Of the
governed, or an empire in which brute
force IS the only recognized source o.
power. In government where the peO-
PIE rule every wrong can De righted and
every evil rcmcdied. but when once the
doctrine OF sef-government ~ impaired,
ana might Is substituted for right, there
~ no certainty that any question VIII be
settled correctly
a colonial policy would so occupy the
people with the consideration OF the ma
non foreign policy that domestic ques-
uohs would be neglected. who viii haul
down the nag?' or Stand by the Presi-
cent, would be the prompt response 10
every criticism OF the administration, and
corruption and special privilege would
thrive under the cover Of patriotism.
~ = not strange that the Populists
should oppose militarism and imperialism
Tor both are antagOnistic to the principles
when Populists apply to other questions.
Looking 1T questions from the standpoint
o. the producer Of wealth rather than
from The standpoint OF the Spectator
the Populist recognizes in miitarism d
constant and increasing burden. The
army worm which occasionally DESTROYS a
ned OF wheat is not nearly so dangerous
an enemy to the farmer as a large stand
ing army which inVades every field Of in
dustry and exacts toll from every crop.
II 10000 men are withdrawn from the
ranks OF the producers ana placed az a
burden on the backs Of those who remain
1t must mean longer hours. harder work
ana greater sacrifices for those who toll
and the farmer. while he paws more than
ms snare of the expenses Of the army
mas no part in any army contracts or In
developing companies. and his sons are
less likely TO fiji the life positions in the
army than the sons of those who by rea
son OF wealth or political rominence, ex-
ert influence at Washington.
our opponents say that the world
dependence to the Filipinos. Yes. kings
would laugh. and aristocracy would
laugh, and those would laugh who deny
I ne inalienable rights OF man and despise
the humber folk who Along the cool |
Sequestered vale Of life keep the noiseirys
tenor Of their way but let this nation |
stand erect. ami, spurning the brides ~ |
wealth and power. show that there Il 4 !
reality in the principles which we urn-
feSs, let it show that there Is a difference |
between a republic and "a monarchy. ana |
the Cypress IN every land will ~. IN !
our nag the hope or their own deliver !
ance. and whether they are bleeding /
upon the battlefield or grooming beneath |
a tyrants lash, will raise their ewes to- |
ward Heaven and breathe feryeut 1
prayer Tor the safety Of our republic"