The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-06-27
ANT1-rMPERIAL PARTY.

The declared purpose Of the National
ton of the Democratic convention, with
view, if necessary, to the establishment
of a separate political party, is Of the
highest public Importance There is at
this time no issue in the politics of the
country on which men feel so intently as
that of the sustainment or defeat of the
new foreign policy which has launched
us full armed into European strife, and
is likely to embroiI US ere long in the dis
agreements Of international politics. To
the members of the Anti-Imperialist
league it is due more than any body Of
citizens that public sentiment has been
aroused so actively to the dangers which
are incurred by the adoption of the new
policy. Bloodshed and national reproach
and the squandering of the resources of
the nation have thus far been the only re-
suits which have accrued to the country
through the new policy, and It is not sur
prising that those who opposed the move
tense as time passes in their antagonism
toward the policy of Imperialism.
What the members of the Anti-Im-
perialist league may think on the other
subjects of national concern is of little
moment save in so far as it is the tnten-
ton to form new political party. 1t
is only when men are in general agree
ment on most of the current issues of the
time that they are in position to unite in
the forma ton of a political party. Even
though in agreement OH one particular
subject, they are not necessarily in po-
sition to enter into political utilization. It
will probably be found that most, if not
all, of the members of the Anti-TmperiaI-
list league are opposed on principle to the
financial views expressed in the Chicago
platform, and that the Endorsement Of
that platform by the Kansas City gather
ing will result in the refusal of the anti
1mpertalists to give an implied sanction
to those views by agreeing to support the
Democratic candidates on even the one
issue Of anti-imperlai1sm.
1t will unquestionably be a welcome cir
cumstance to the imperialists should the
energies of those who oppose imperialism
he weakened by the creation Of new po-
itical organization. But the issue is of
such magnitude as sooner or later to con-
stitute one of the great questions on
which the intelligent sentiment of. the
country is sure to divide. Even the VIC
tory of Mckinley and Roosevelt in this
campaign, If it should be realized, VIII not
put an end to the movement against the
colonial policy. The best and most con-
scientious thought of the country is sat
isfied that the policy of force pursued
by the United States for the subiugation
of the people of other lands must neces-
sarily be followed by the disappearance
of the most essential of the principles of
political and social philosophy on which
the free institutions of the country rest.
and such minds will not consent either
that other questions shall dominate over
that, or that a party with which they are
in violent disagreement on almost all
other important issues shall reap the
benefit of their support because it sus-
taiEs them en- that one issue.
The issue of anti-fmperiaHsm must be
fought out to a finish. This campaign
will not decide it. 1t must be determined
independently of other existing issues
If the Democratic party through its con-
vention at Kansas City should render it
impossible for the members and friends of
the Anti-Imperialist league to support the
ticket there nominated, it will be a most
unfortunate circumstance.