The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-10-30
MUST BEAR THE BURDENS
Penalty of Imperialism Falls on
the Workingman.
EX -G0VerBOr Boutwell, Issues an
Producing Classes of the United
States-Forced Into Competition
With the Cheap Labor of the Orient


part as follows:
The American Anti-Imperialist League
and the Auxiliary Leagues were formed
for the purpose of laying before the people
the evidence of a design on the part of
President Mckinley to give to the Ameri-
can Republic the characteristics and the
policy of an empire. The charge was made
in a formal manner as early as the 18TH
day OF August, 1899. We gave name to
the purpose and to the policy We called
1t Imperialism.
in this address we omit the use OF
words and phrases and we ask your atten-
ton 10 facts that are of common knowl-
edge and free from controversy. we snail
then ask you to consider the probable con-
sequences of the policy Indicated by the
facts
I'VE are engaged in a warlike contest
with 200 GOO people who occupy Islands
in tropical climate and 10000 miles from
our ports. The contest has continued
twenty months. An army OF $4,000 men
has been employed at e cost OF S4,0Oo,oOo
week and the sacrifice of many lives -each
month. The war is not ended. stable
governments have not been set up and
there are no evidences CT peace, except in
the Sulu Isles. where peace has been pur-
chased by pensions on the public treasury
and a recognition of the crimes OF slavery
and polygamy. The President, with the
sanction of the Republican party, has De
clared -!Iat the war is TO go on until the
Filipinos acknowledge our sovereignty anu
submit to our rule.
.srbese are statements of accepted
truths and they warrant certain conclu-
sious The war is to go On at an ehoF
nous cost in men and money and without
justification on our part
.Tbo are to furnish the men and by
what means is the Army to be kept III
field? The laboring population must 1ur-
nish the men. either by voluntary enlist
ments or through process OF conscrlp-
ton.
rs mere any element in this contest
in the Philippine Islands which invokes
the sentiment OF patriotism in any AInerl-
can?
voluntary enlistments can be secured
ONLY by the prostration OF the industries
of the country. This IS one branch OF the
alternative by which an army in the East
IS to be kept in the field. The other
branch of the alternative is a system OF
conscription. Are the laboTing people
prepared to accept either branch OF the
alternative?
And next: On whom do the war ex-
penses fall, which, upon the present ba-
sis, are not less than sl2 annually for
every family of five persons? The war
expenses are to be paid by taxes, or by
an increase of the public debt, which is
taxation delayed
Every stamp duty paid by banker. or
landlord, CT dealer in merchandise is
revenue assessment upon labor that at
some time and in some form must De palu-
las to the wisdom or unwisdom of the
exemption We express no opinion; but the
incomes of those who enjoy incomes are
freed from taxes by the National Govern
ment.
The war concerns. and it chiefly con-
Germs, the Iaboring and producing classes
of the country Your destiny and the lot
tunes of the country are in your hands
You can br .g the war 10 close, and that
forthwith, or you can authorize It's con-
tinuance T an indefinite period Of time
mo one is called 10 the support OF this
war upon moral or equitable grounds 1t
is not so defended by the Administration
The President defends the war upon the
ground Of national pride coupled with an
exhibitio. of philanthTopic craftsmanship.
Others sustain the war because we are in
the war while they admit its unWisdom
and Injustice on our part. Still others sus-
tain the war because the Philippines ap-
pear to be valuable as a property posses
sion.
THE laboring population ought not to
heed any Of these considerations. Let your
demand be this: Prove TO US that this war
was lust and necessary in the beginning;
that 4 has been Just and necessary at ev-
cry stage of the proceedings; that It's con-
tinuanCe il the demand of justice ana that
an honorable peace Is not attainable 1hese
demands Will not be answered 1hey can
not be answered.
you are invited to accept a promise of
prosperity and the invitation is rendered
n a form of offensive grossness- The invt-
tation says 10 the workingman Of AIaeri-
ca: You Only interest in government is
@ full supply of your physical wants The
proffer such as it is, carries with 1t GER
tain conditions. With the promise of pros
perity and a supply of your physical wants
YOU are to accept President Mckinley You
are to furnish the recruits for the Army
and each year every head OF family Is
to WELD to the Government, in war taxes,
an amount equal to the weekly earnings
of q laboTer-
These are the inevitable results of a
motley of war Can a policy Of peace be
more offensive. more disastrous to the IL
dustrial and producing classes OF the coun-
try? And this whatever may be the cir
cumstances incident TO a condition or
peace
| is promised to you? The country is now III
war. Is the prosperity which you enjoy
| adequate to the demands of family life,
| with something over for the contingencies
| of age and sickness? With war before you
| and before the country, is any improve
ment in your condition possible? Is not the
| promise 4 vain promise? And where Is the
| security?
1.-THE evils and burdens of which we have
spoken are not conjectural; they are &C
tual; they are evils and burdens which now
rest upon the country, and which are to
continue while the war shall last.
without your Enforcement OF President
Mckinley his reelection is SO near an i'm
possibility that the contingency does not
merit consideration His reelection can
be secured only through your support.
Thus your own fortunes and the fortunes
| of the country are in your hands. By his
reelection you guarantee the continuance
| of the war until the Philippine Islands are
| in fact as well as in form, a part Of the
| possessions of the United States
I'VE ask you to consider this question:
| Are not the products Of your industry to
come into competition with the products of
their industry? The Supreme Court may
| decide that the Philippines are of the ter
ritories of the United States. In that event
| trade must be free-legislation cannot in
| teTrupt freedom in trade between the sew
| eral States and Territories of the Union
| Your security must be found in end
! ing the war and in abandoning the islands.
| Otherwise you stake everything upon the
| opinion OF the Court, whose record leads
10 the conclusion that there must be free
! dom of trade between the States and Ter
| Titories of the Union, whatever may be the
| tenure by which Territories are held
| Assume now your votes for MI M