The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-28
CHARLES A. TOWNE OPENS THE
BALL IN A SPEECH LAST NIGHT
AT DULUTH
ISSUES ABLY PRESENTED
STRONG ARRANGEMENT OF THE
ADMINISTRATIONS "CoI.O-
NIAL" POLICY
TEDDY Is TAKEN TO TASK
lnconsistencies of ROoseveIt's ST,
Paul Speech to the League OF Re-
publican Clubs Barred by
Master Hand.

DULUTH, Mimi, Aug. 27.--The largest
gathering to listen to a political speech
that ever assembled in Duluth occurred
this evening at the armory when Hon.
Charles A. Towne opened the campaign
In lengthy address, in which he replied
to the recent speech of Gov. Roosevelt.
delivered at st Paul on the occasion OF
tie national convention Of the League OF
Republican clubs, and arraigned the ad-
ministration policy in the Philippines.
The audience, which comprised per-
sons of all shades cf political belief and
many scores Of women, listened attentive
Iy to the silVer-tongued orators remarks
Tor more than two hours, and frequently
throughout the discourse the applause
was deafening. Mr.. Towne said in part;
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
am grateful for this opportunity to open
me present national campaign in Duluth
II is an interesting and important cam
palgn. In this respect no political con-
test of this generation can compare with
IT. Not lightly should a man assume the
responsibility of pubic discussion when
Waat he says may possibly influence some
otner man in his action on question
affecting not only the policy of the gov
eminent but the very character OF our
nope that what may be said tonight shall
not In this community lack that sanction
which sincerity Of conviction usually
gives To public utterances. In this citY
The city that l love, for whose future
prosperity and glory 1 cherish the most
Sanglne expectations. and with whose no
Die growth and progress once hoped
10 identify a considerable official serv-
Ice the entire period Of my public life
mas been passed. 1t has been short es-
peclaldy that part of 1t spent in office,
raT1fF fFvrI hi
the country. l have no complaint to mako
because as an incident to this history
that oif1clal experience was brief. Rath-
Sr IS the breVity a source of satisfaction
In that, and in Itself, it testifies to the
only merit have ever claimed for my
self, viz, absolute fidelity to beliefs eE-
Tonight I come not as a candidate advo-
eating a cause whose success is ASSOCIATE
ed with his election to office. 1t has sc 1rn-
cd TO me, whether 1T is true or not that
might render more aid this year to the
principles profess by supporting them In
q merely private capacity and in many
places, than by running a fourth time
Tor congress, even though with greater
probability of election than in 1896 or 1893
Accordingly l am here tonight to speak
to you as one American to another and
on the assumption that the welfare OF
our beloved country and its people ard
the perpetuatton of American liberty are
more to be desired by us than any
partisan success whatsoever; that these
objects are worthier our devotion than
any mans personal ambition possibly
can be: and that, If In any way we can
find out what patriotism demands of us,
We will resolutely do 1t.
There is always a temptation to begin
a political campaign with some caution
ary remarks about the influence of party
spirit. The longer and wider the OBJ
servation of men, the greater my inclina-
tfon to agree with WashinGton's opinion
as to the tremendous danger to free inz
stitutions that turks in an access of that
spirit. The preservation Of this govern =
rnent depends upon the maintenance Of
individual freedom of opinion and Of in
diVidual courage to exercise 1t. The man
who refuses to think abdicates his high
est function as a man. The citizen who
permits a political organization to fur
nish him with ready-made political con-
victions is unworthy the privileges Of cit
izenship. The American. to whatever
party he belongs, who votes carelessly on
matter affecting the destiny Of his
country, trusting blindly to that aggre-
gate opinion of his party which. when any
considerable number in its ranks are as
compliant as himself. may readily be
made to suit the interests of powerful
and designing men, is guilty Of a polit-
ical crime. Numerous questions are in
VolVed In this campaign The relatively
secondary matters, important as they are,
all have reference to policies to be pur-
sued by the republic.
IMPERIALISM SWEEPS OTHER Is~
SUES.
The issue of first moment, the one that
temporarily uWdTfS all others by COM
parison, Is, whether the republic Itself
IS to continue. Because Of the magnitude
Of this question, which not only the DEM
ocratic PLATFORM but the public concern,
declares to be the paramount issue Of
the campaign, because time will not per-
nit a full discussion in one meeting like
this of all the subjects embraced In the
party platforms, and because design 10
use a good part Of this address in COM
menting upon the speech, mainly con-
cerned with this topic. delivered at st.
Paul recently by the Republican candi-
dale for vice president, / shall devote
the greater part of the time tonight 10
the consideration Of Imperialism. Let US
first inquire how the question has arisen.
The .barbarous procedure Of Spain add1d
considerations Of humanity to those OF
commercial interest in our estimate Of
the international ethics Of the Cuban
case, until finally congress, on the 2lst OF
April, 1898, recognized the independence
of Cuba and commanded Spain to with
draw her army and navy from Cuba and
Cuban waters. At the same time a resO-
luton was passed destined to be forever
memorable IN history, whether It shall
stand as a typical and lasting embOdI-
ment Of American disinterested devotion
to liberty, or as the eliminating mani
fiesta ton of that spirit ere its light should
be quenched forever The following IS
the resolution: THE Unitei States dis
claims any disposition or intention TO ex-
ercise sovereignty, Jurisdiction or control
over said island except for the pacifica-
tiOn thereof and asserts It's determ ma
ton when that is accomplished TO leave
the government and control Of the island
TO its people"
Now 1t is to be observed that the obl-
cation to respect the liberties Of the peo-
pie of Cuba did not have It's origin In
this resolution. The resolution was mere=
ly the recognition OF an obligation which
existed in the nature of things. and whiG1
arose out OF the very fact that the peo-
pie of the United States had gone 10
the assistance of Cuba in her struggle
for independence against the tyranny OF
Spain.
He then reviewed at some length tho
causes leading up to the chief events OF
the Spanish war He took UP the In
surrection In the Philippines, which had
been raging for many years, sketching II
briefly and telling how brilliantly Dewey
and his sailors engaged the Spanish feet
In Manila bay, and continued:
But how did the case of the Philippine
Islands differ from that OF Cuba? For
over 500 years the Fillpinos had been
subject to the despotism of the same em-
pire. They had never contentedly sub.
mftted to II. Unrest and intermittent
revolutions had long testified to the same
spirit in the Philippines as that which
in Cuba had aroused the interest and
sympathy OF the American people. Time
will not permit a complete review or all
the occurrences which go to make up