The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-09-01
Mr.. Towne Rough on Gov. Roosevelt.

DULUTH, MINI, August 27.-The largest
gathering to listen TO political speech that
ever assembled in Duluth assembled tonight
at the Armory, when Chas. A. Towne opened
the campaign in lengthy address, in which
he replied to the recent speech of Governor
Roosevelt, delivered ut st. Paul on the occa-
sion of the national convention of the League
of Republican Clubs. The audience listened
attentvely to the orators remarks for more
than two hours, and frequently throughout the
discourse the applause was deafening. The
speech is considered by many to be Mr..
Towne's greatest effort. AT its conclusion he
was rendered an ovation by the multitude
present Mr.. Towne said in part
at is the fashion among apologists for the
administration policy to represent the Filipi-
nos as little short of barbarians and savages,
and as wholly incapacitated for the task of
self-goyernment. Fortunate, the evidence ON
this subject is readily accessible, and over
whelming in quantity and certaninty." He
quoted from Lieutenant John ID. Ford, of the
United States Navy, and Gen. Charles A.
King, United States Army, and others in
support of his statement.
After describing the strained relations be-
tween the Americans and Filipinos after the
capture of Manila, Mr. Towne said: sour
opponents are in the habit of referring TO the
outbreak of actual hostilities between us and
the Fiipinos as though the latter were the
aggressors, and much is attempted to be made
out of such expressions US 'sThey fred on our
flag" But, OF course, since we had secretly
formed determination TO seize the islands,
it is apparent that whenever that design be.
came manifest, or we attempted to put il into
effect, the Filipinos, if they were earnest
when declaring their object TO be indepen-
dence, would resist it
Taking up Governor Rooseyelt's speech.
he declared it TO be enormously disappoint-
ing. Neither III matter or in manner is it
worthy of its occasion. In respect of argu-
ment the speech is, with rare exceptions, an
alienation of evasion and assertion. In spirit
it is compound of scold and scullion. As
10 the facts, itabounds in inaccuracies, which,
if accidental. are inexpicabe as coming from
a man who has performed creditably in his
tory and biography. Butfhe world is accus-
toned TO Inconsistencies from Mr.. Roosevelt
1t has long looked upon him as a predestined
and incorrgible eccentric. 1t has given up
attempting TO explain him or TO reconcile him
with himself 1t is quite impossible, whether
it would be worth while otherwise or not, to
make an entirely satisfactory diagnosis of q
civil service reformer in partnership with
Thomas G. Plat; citizen soldier who redi-
cules. the volunteer; a leader in battle who
finds glory in being rescued from an ambush;
a hero who boasts of shooting a fleeing foe in
the back; candidate who plays and poses to
delegates and galleries to obtain nomination
that he does not want; a gentleman who
charges six and one half millions Of his fellow
countrymen with lawlessness dishonesty and
cowardice; a statesman who, mounted ON
hobby, rides roughly at grave questions in
economics and politics. swinging his partisan
lariat and yelling like an intellectual Conan