The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-09-13
BELFAST, MAINE, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 49, 190o
LOCAL POLITICAL RALLIES.

The Democrats and Republicans of Bel
fast held the closing rallies Of the campaign
prior to the State election, in the Belfast
| Opera House, Thursday and Friday even
| ings, respectively. The Belfast Band wa
in attendance on both occasions, and fur
nished music before the meetings, at the
| intervals between the different speakers
and at the close.
Jesse E. Wilson called the Democratic
meeting to order and called upon VIM. P.
| Thompson to preside. Mr. Thompson in
| troduced Wm II. Mcclellan, Esq, who
| made characteristic speech, dealing with
both local and national issues There is.
| he said, one local issue of Importance, the
| prohibitory law. He briefly reviewed the
history of the prohibitory legislation of
Maine, and stated that since 1866, when the
i parties first divided on that question, the
| Republicans have favored and the Demo-
Gratis opposed it. He believes that law is
| failure, even when it's enforcement is in the
| hands OF It's friends. He believes the consti-
tutional amendment should be re-submitted
and that the next Legislature will vote on
that question. The voters should see that
the right men are sent to the State Legisla-
ture. In national affairs there is talk on
the one side and the other about para
mount issue. The Republicans say it is the
currency, which is in danger should Bryan
be elected, and the Democrats say it is i'm
perialism. He quoted from Republican
platforms and speakers to show that that
ri A..
cy which it formerly advocated. The Demo
erats favor an income tax when it can be
made legal. The last income tax law, pass
ed by the Democrats, was declared uncon-
stitutional by the Supreme court by vote
of . to i. As to imperialism, Mr.. Mcclellan
said there is no Imperialism in our dealings
with Cuba or Porto Rico. Mckinley advis-
ed free trade with Porto Rico, but Con
gress voted otherwise, and there is now
tax on both exports and imports This he
called taxation without representation.
When We bought the Philippines we paid
Spain S20,nn,n0 for goods she could not de-
| liver, and We are now trying to govern a
people without their consent.
Mr.. Thompson then introduced Il. r.
/ biHtoii, i-sI-. W Hb lildi the one
great issue is Imperialism. This nation
has always insisted on the Monroe doctrine.
and the opposite idea of America keeping
/ her hands of lands in other parts of the
world has been tactly observed as a sort Of
unwritten law. What was at first referred
to as criminal aggression has now become
benevolent assimilation. He argued that
the FilipinoS are capable Of self govern
ment and it should be given them. He
quoted an editorial in The Journal in April
| 1890, as a true statement of the policy Of
the Administration on the Philippine ques-
| tion, as follows:
'The commission will consider no prop
osition that does not contemplate his
| { Aguinaldo'S absolute and unconditional
surrender and his acceptance on behalf Of
the Filipnos OF any form of government
the United States may see fit to establish in
the islands,
| The absorption of the Philippines is for
business, not for humanity, The question
is asked 'Who would haul down the Ameri-
can flag ?' 1t is a laudable and patriotic
| idea, but if the flag floats over land which
| by its customs or otherwise disgraceS it,
the flag should be hauled down there The
| emblem of liberty should not float over d
land Of poligamy, slavery and piracy