Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-10-31
A CAREER OF SLAUGHTER.
Anti-Im rserialist League Points Ont
That This VIII Result from McI<in-,
lcy's Reelection.

I Icy's Recollection.
WASHING October 30-A ring
ing address to the voters of the Unit
ed States irrespective of party was is
sued to-day by the Anti-Imperialist
League vof Washington, which includes
among it's members such eminent men
as ex-Secretary of the Treasury George
S. Boutwell, of Massachusetts,; ex- SEN
ator JohmB. Henderson, of Massachus-
etts, and ex-senator George f. Ed
munds, of Vermont, all of them lead
ers of the Republican party in their
younger days. The address, which is
signed by William Birney, honorary
president Of the league, a well-known
Washington lawyer, is as follows;
To American Voters Irrespective of
Past Party Aff1liation:
I'm the opinion OF the Anti-Imper-
ialist league, of Washington, the most
momentous political event of Ameri-
can history is at hand The 9th of
November will mark the perpetuation
of a Republic in its glorious career, or
the abrogation of the Declaration Of
Independence, of the constitution and
of the proclamation abolishing slavery.
Located in the National capital we
have had unusual facilities for observ-
ing the course of empire pursued by
the present administration, under the
establishments of European solicitation
and the pressure of domestic dictation,
and we warn our countrymen that the
most dangerous combination possible
to elect to the two highest offices to
the gift of the people have been select
ed-William Mckinley, a man of me-
dicore ability, whose every act has
been marked by self-seeking, regard
less of principle. and Theodore Roose-
welt, whose strenuous aggressiveness
would be constant menace.
1--WE ask our fellow countrymen to
pause before committing the destiny
of our beloved country to such a COM
bination. Mr.. Mckinley has trans
formed war for liberation into a war
of subjugation. Cuba is under mill
tary rule, Porto Rico under a medic
val Satrapy, the Philippines ground by
the heel of despotism and the American
army of occupation in China These
several acts have cost the United
States $1,OO0,000, 900, many precious
lives and, worse than all the loss Of
our National ideas.
Add Mr.. Roosevelt to Mr.. Mckinley
and what will be the ruselt? We can
see only a career. of slaughter devasta-
ton and decay; murder and rapine
abroad and disturbance and misery at
home; such has ever been the bloody
course of empire. The few at the top
may have temporary honor, riches and
glory. The vast middle and poorer
classes will have degradation, poverty
and shame.
Mark the contrast in the Democratic
nominees. 1t is conceded that Mr..
Bryan's Indianapolis anti-imperialist
speech Is one of the greatest state pa
pers ever written and that he is a man
of principle. Mr.. Stevenson is a ma
ture, conservative and experienced
statesman, whose advice must be of
great assistance to Mr.. Bryan in all
emergencies.
THE fact that such,eminent and con-
servatice statesmen as Ex-Governor
and ex-Secretary Boutwell,. ex-senator
and Secretary Schurz. ex-Secretary Oh
ney, ex-Secretary Judson Harmon. ex-
Senator Henderson, Senator Wellington
and a host of others who opposed Mr.
Bryan four years ago, are supporting
him now, proves that imperialism is
the paramount, nay, the only issue. An
eminent Republican has said that all
other issues are to 1t as pillows that
will pass under the ship but that IL
the course Of McKinley's administra-
ton should be endorsed it would be
the beginning OF the end Of the Re
public
With confidence in the integrity
and patriotism Of our countrymen, we
appeal to them TO preserve the Re-
public by the election Of Bryan and
Stevenson and a Democratic Congress
TO sustain them"