The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-30
an ADDRESS TO VOTERS
Appeal Of the Anti-Imperia!ist
League Of Washington.
The Sixth of November to Mark the
pcrpetuntion of n Republic or the
EbroEntfon of the CONSTITUTIONAL
War for Liberty Transformed Into
One of SabsuSation by Mckinley.

William R:rney, President of the Anti
InpeIialist League of Washington, has. III
tie name of that league. issued an address
to voters, irrespective of past party afiiila-
tion, to vote for Bryan and Stevenson. The
address follows:
ITO American voters, irrespective of past
party affiliation:
I'm the opinion of the Anti-Imperialist
League of Washington. ID. c., the most mo-
mentous political event of American his
tory is at hand. The 9th of November
next will mark the perpetuaticn of a Re-
public in its glorious career. or the abro-
cation of the Declaration of Independence,
Of the Constitution, and of the proclama-
tion abolishing slavery. Whoever votes for
Mckinley and Roosevelt. no matter what
may be his intention, will as matter OF
fact, register his opinion that govern
ments do net derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed; that peoples
may be ruled without constitution, ana
that slavery may exist under the jurisdic-
ton of the United States Are there many
Americans prepared to abandon the glori-
Gus traditions of the Republic for the de-
bauching and degrading tenets of imper-
ialism? Are the descendants especially OF
the men of 177S-'S3 and the descendants
and survivors of the men of lsS1-'65 SO
disposed. We MINK not.
Located In the National Capital, We
have had unusual facilities for observing
the course of empire pursued by the pres
ent Administration, under the blandish-
ments OF European solicitation and the
pressure OF domestic dictation, and We
warn our countrymen that the most dan
EeIous combination possible to elect to the
two highest Offices in the gift OF the people
has been selected-William Mckinley, a
man of mediocre ability, whose every act
has been marked by self-seeking regard
less of principle, and Theodore Roosevelt,
whose strenuous aggressiveness would be
constant menace.
I'VE ask our fellow-countrymen to pause
before committing the destinies of our be-
loved country to such a combination. Mr..
Mckinley has transformed war for lib
Grafton into a war of subjugation. Cuba
Is under military rule, Porto Rico under a
medieval satrapy, the Philippines ground
by the iron heel of despotisrn, and an
American army of occupation IN China.
These several acts have cost the United
States a billion of dollars, many precious
lives. and, worse than all, the loss of our
national ideals.
Add Mr. Roosevelt to Mr.. Mckinley
and what will be the result? We can see
only career Of slaughter, of devastation,
and of decay murder and rapine abroad
and disturbances 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.. Bryans Indianap-
oils anti-imperialist speech is one Of the
greatest state papers ever written, and
IN no tc mas IF nrin tp1a NJ
venson is mature, conservative. and ex-
perienced statesman. whose advice must
be Of great assistance to Mr.. Bryan in all
emergencies.
THE fact that such eminent and con-
sentative statesmen as Ex-Governor and
ex-Secretary Boutwell, ex-senator and
Secretary Schurz, ex-Secretary Olney, ex-
Secretary Judson Harmon. ex-senator
Henderson. Senator Wellington. and
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 Republi-
can has said that all other issues are to
IT as pillows that will pass under the
ship but that If the course of McKin-
ley's Administration should be endorsed
1t would be the beginning of the end of
the Republic
With confidence in the integrity and
patriotism of our countrymen we appeal
to them to preserve the Republic by the
election of Bryan and Stevenson and a
Democratic Congress to sustain them