The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-09-26
DWELLS ON THE bOER.
Webster Davis Uses Argument
Against the Administration,
ARRAIGNS FOREIGN POLICY
And Thinks War Should Have
Stopped With Cuba.
ope IA House, Actual Attendance 1914


in full force, but for all that she could
not fill the building.
Mr. Davis was introduced by Colonel
Thomas G. Fitch, and Immediately after
being brought before the audience, went
into the Boer situation in South Africa
He discussed the matter at length.
The much-taIked-of idea that Mr..
Davis was to leave town at 10 o'clock
and made the excuse for getting out Of the
debate between Burton, failed to materi-
alize, as Mr. Davis did not leave the city
until nearly 10 o'clock. This much time
would have permitted a debate of long
drawn out proportions and yet give
ample time to have gotten to the train.
Many in the audience were of Diff
ferent political views and were there out
Of curiosity. Davis when in the midst
of his argument used a sing song tone.
This gets monotonous before the close
of his speech and there were many last
night who would have enjoyed hearing
the issues in a different manner.
Mr.. Davis speech in part follows:
II am so surprised that l hardly Know
where I am. When 1 came here I sup
posed that 1 would meet a distinguished
gentleman of the Republican party. I
had a number of kilograms regarding the
situation and Of course supposed that
we were to divide the time. 1 was will
ing to speak one hour on the political is
sues of the day and give Mr. Burton the
rest Of the evening for reply had he so
desired it. The issues of the Repubh-
can and Democratic campaign are such
that there was no need Of my fearing
any Republican in any meeting that
might have been arranged for me.
81 do not know where he is in this
matter, but I am singing the song Of
my country, America against the world"
These were the opening words Of Web
ster Davis at the Opera House last
night, after being introduced by Colonel
T. G. Fitch. He continued and said:
'I stand for the stars and stripes and
for the platform adopted at the Kansas
City convention from one end to another
Those Republicans who are present to-
night 1 have no desire to offend your
feelings, but I wish to point out to you
a few reasons why 1 am against the
Republican party and their administra-
ton. Each and every one Of US is inter
ested in the building UP of our nation,
but if you could have seen and exper-
fenced the things that have been my lot
you would have the same feeling that /
have and stand where I stand.
For a long time I had been working
day and night and finally my doctor ord
hat CHI folya A.
cordingly made my plan to accept the
invitation of Colonel Stowe an old friend
in Cape Town, Africa On leaving Wash
ington my sympathies were with the
British in the South African war, and
for some time they continued to be in
that channel.
''The idea that the war was war of
humanity was my idea and I had no
idea Of believing otherwise.
after I reached South Africa, had
desire to visit the Beers in thetir homes.
The British told me that It would not
be safe for me to go as they would kill
me. 1 longed to make the visit and
finally was the invited guest of the gov
eminent. I accepted their invitation and
rode in President Kruger's private car
through the Transvaal. When we left
the car we were met by several hundred
of the Beers. The men had their rifles
and cartridges with them. They shook
hands with me and told me they were
glad TO welcome me TO their republic and
that they were trying to form a republic
similar to the United States.
THE people speak English. They 1--we
as Americans live and the more I saw of
~ - Ho1 1f
No better people live in the world out
side of America than the Beers. Those
people were suffering for liberty. Those
people were fighting for liberty from the
same rotten monarch that our fore
fathers in the times Of I77s were fight
ing for liberty. The English control
everything in South Africa They have
the mails and every cable.
''I am Boer sympathizer. am for
the Beers today from the ground up
shared the meals of the Beers. I saw
their daily customs and when left they
told me to tell the people Of the United
States what I saw and what abuse they
were receiving.
'"The present administration can raise
more money for campaign purposes than
any other party in the history Of the
country since Mark Hanna placed a
money value on politics. When I re-
turned TO this country I tried TO get
the administration TO help the Beers 4
nanciany, or otherwise. They refused to
do this.
AT every point in South Africa there
were British agents and they openly
boosted that In any case any other na-
ton tried to interfere with the war that
the United States would assist England
Since the war with Spain no nation has
a better reputation than ours Other 1s-
tons narveled at the deeds Of vslor OF
our seamen and soldiers. No power In
the world would interfere with Great I
Britain Il the- had the idea thA. the /
United States was behind her in the /
England was never our friend Rus |
STA was and Russia would have interfered I
with The war IN South Africa had she I
not had the idea that The United States 4
would take the part % England IN case I
she did care 70 interfere
Would you BE in favor of such thinzs7 (
The real issue CT this campaign Is not a 4
contest against Mckinley aud Roosevelt /
as men. but the contest IS against Bryan /
the champion Of tie people. and Mark 4
Hanna the champion % the trusts
AT The time o. The surrender O. Cron3e Z
the flag Of the United States was raised 4
alost ~ the side 81 the British fsz &
Cronje with his farmers we're aghtlng .
FOR their HSerty. Cvon5e is an old man. 7
Or yaIl3g |