The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-20
Circulation Statement.
The philadelphia Convention.

The Philadelphia Convention.
After the perfunctory opening of the
Philadelphia Convention yesterday by Sen
ator Hanna, Chairman of the Republican
National Committee, Senator Wolcott, OF
Colorado, was elected temporary chairman,
according to programme and, as such,
made his expected speech.
Mr. Wolcott began his remarks with the
aphorism: I'VE need no omen but our
country's cause" As an introduction, 1t
is to be suspected that this was not good,
because ''our country's cause" is exactly
what Mr.. Wolcott and his colleagues are
endeavoring to destroy that the cause Of
trusts and monopolies may take its place.
But we may dismiss that point, as we
only wish to call attention to the eloquence
Of the young Rocky Mountain statesman
and his calm indifference to considerations
OF fact and popular intelligence. For eS-
ample, he was not long in hitting the
South African war, in relation to which
he said that while We observe the law Of
nations and maintain that neutrality which
We owe to a great and friendly Govern
ment, the same spirit tof justice and lib
erty) lives today in the genuine feeling
of sympathy We cherish for the brave men
now fighting for their homes in the vel6ts
of South Africa"
In relieving himself of this burden, Mr..
Wolcott only meant to be hypocriticai
Perhaps he did not know that he was also
funny. The political, or rather London and
New York trust, combination. for which he
was speaking. cares as little about the
Afrikanders as 1t does for the struggling
revclutionists on the planet Mars. 1t has
firm alliance with the British Govern
ment for the purpose of defeating the
American inter-oceanic canal proposition.
for the abandonment of the Monroe Doc
trine and for the surrender of an Alaskan
port and hinterland TO England. Its abil-
fly 10 waste tears over Kruger and the
Beers may be measured by its associations
and British engagements.
The woes OF the colored brother next
dubbed from the heart of Wolcott. He
said that the same old spirit of justice
and liberty finds voice In our indignant
protest against the violent suppression of
rights of the colored man in the South.
That spirit will survive in the breasts of
patriotic men as long as the nation en-
dures.'' But it will not prevent them from
violating the Constitution of the United
States that the blessings of the basic law
may be denied to the people of our new
American territories. and the trusts and
monopolies enriched through their ex-
pioitation and loot.
We Nv rIar
humiliating crawl on the silver question
which, on reflection. ought to bring the
blush of shame even 10 his adamantine
cheek His surrender of his once cher
ished opinions on that subject to Mr..
Hanna is too painful a subject for people
who formerly respected him to discuss in
any connection in which ii is not intended
to characterize his personal course prop
erly and adequately. Having recanted his
economic faith. he felt bound to point
with pride to the record of the Mckinley
Administration in promising to remove
some Of the long unnecessary war tax |
burdens from the necks of the people. He i
did not go to the length OF asserting that /
anything in that line had been definitely |
agreed upon. but left the inference that |
people with heavy war taxes would do well
to see the campaign manager and deal
for relief next winter, On the canal
question he made the expected announce
inert that the waterway would be pro-
vided for next winter. after receipt of the
superfiuous- Walker Commission report.
But he did not say that the trusts favored
the Nicaragua route, probably because he
Is well aware that Hanna and the COM
bination are in the corrupt Panama
scheme. Delicate matters like the Hay
Pauncefote infamy, the contemplated ship
subsidy steal, and the Philippines were
handled gingerly where they were touched
at all. 1t is very plain that Mr.. Wolcott |
has completely capitulated. There is |
nothing more Of silver. or of any Kind Of |
independence in him. He is henceforward |
for and with Hanna for whatever there is |
IL it.