The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-09-01
Mr.. Towne Rough on Gov. Roosevelt.

DULUTH. MINN., August 27.-The largest
gathering 10 listen 10 political speech that
ever assembled in Duluth assembled tonight
at the ArmCry, when Chas. A. Tdwne opened
the campaign in a lengthy address, IA which
he replied to the recent speech OF Governor
Roosevelt, delivered at ST. Paul on the occa-
sion Of the national convention of the League
of Republican Clubs The audience listened
attentively to the orators remarks for more
than two hours, aud frequently throughout the
discourse the applause was deafeniug. The
speech is considered 10y many to be Mr..
Towne's greatest effort. Al lis conclusion he
was rendered an ovation by the multitude
present. Mr.. Towne said in part
1T is the fashion among apologisls for the
administration policy to represent the Fihpi-
nos as little short of barbarans and Savages,
and as wholly ineapactated for the task Of
self-government. Fortunate, the evidence on
this subject is readily accessible, and over
whelming in quantity and certainty" He
quoted from Lieutenant John ID. Ford, OF the
United States Navy, and Gen Charles A.
King, United States Army, and others in
support of his statement
After describing the strained relations be-
tween the Americans and Fiipinos after the
capture of Manila, Mr.. Towne said Our
opponents are in the habit of referring to the
outbreak of actual hostiities between US aud
the Filipinos as though the latter were the
aggressors, and much is attempted to be made
ont of such expressions as They fired on our
flag" But, Of course, since we had secretly
formed determination TO seize the islands,
il is apparent that whenever that design be-
came manifest, or We attempted TO put il into
effect, the Filipinos, if they were earnest
when declaring their object to be indepen-
dence, would resist it. =
Taking up Governor Roosevelt's speech,
he declared it to be enormously dsappoint-
ing Neither Ia matter or IN manner rs 1t
worthy of its occasion. In respect of argu-
ment the speech is, with rare exceptions, an
alienation of evasion and assertion. la spirit
it is a compound of scold and scullion. As
to the facts, it aboundS in inaccuracies, which,
if accidental. are inexplicabe as coming from
a man who has performed creditably in his
tory and biography. Butthe world is accuS-
toned to Inconsistencies from Mr.. Roosevelt.
1t has long looked upon him as predesuned
and incOrrigible eccentric. Ii has given up
attempting to explain him or to reconcile him
with himself. 1t is quite impossible, whether
it would be worth while otherwise or not, to
make an entirely satisfactory diagnosis OF
civil service reformer in partnership with
Thomas c. Plat; a citizen soldier who redl
cules the volunteer; Il leader ia battle who
finds glory in being rescued from an ambush;
a hero who boasts of shooting Il fleeing foe in
the back; candidate who plays and poses to
delegates and galleries to obtain nomination
that he does not want; gentleman who
charges six and ne-half millions ofhis fellow
countrymen with lawessness dishonesty and
cowardice; statesman who, mounted on
hobby, rides roughly at grave questions IN
economics and politics, swinging his partisan
lariat and yelling like an intellectual Conan
che"