Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-16
ANTl-IMPERIALlSTS
Open Shiny Attended Con-
gress at Indianapolis.
Forgetting that the Maine Was De-
stroyed in Havana Harbor
They Grossly insult Their Flag. Their President
and Their Country.

indianapolis, Ind, Aug. 15.-The first
days session of the liberty congress of
the National Anti-Imperialistic League
was somewhat disappointing, so far as
the attendance of delegates was con-
cerned. About 300 delegates were pres
ent and more are promised for tomor-
row In spite of the small attendance
the speeches of Edwin Burritt Smith,
the temporary chairman, and George S.
Boutwell,, the permanent president,
brought forth much enthusiasm. The
public meeting, in the evening, was
much better attended and the reading
Of Bourke Cochran's letter was the
signal for tremendous applause.
But the greatest demonstration of the
convention, so far. came in the after
noon, when the venerable George S.
Boutwell, ex-governor of Massachu-
sets and secretary of the treasury in
the cabinet Of President Grant. con-
cluded his address as permanent chair
man with the declaration that he had
turned his back on the Republican
party and should support Bryan for
President. The delegates rose in their
seats and rendered the ex-governor an
ovation that lasted several minutes.
The hall was deliberately decorated
with American flags and with portraits
of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson,
Thomas \. Hendricks and Oliver P.
Morton. There We're two huge banners
containing excerpts from the speech of
Abraham Lincoln and three containing
parts of the Behold a Republic" per-
oratlons to Mr.. Bryans indianapolis
speech of acceptance. Swung directly
over the speakers platform was an i'm
mense banner with the following in
scriotion:
Il speak not of forcibe annexation,
for that cannot be thought of. That.
by our code of morals, would be GRIM
inai aggression.-William Mckinley
Behold a Republic standing erect.
with the empires all around her bowed
beneath the weight of their own arma-
ments-a republic whose flag is loved
while other flags are only feared
William Jennings Bryan
George j. Meercier of PHILADELPHIA
called the convention to order. at IL
o clock presenting Edwin Burritt Smith
of Chicago, as temporary chairman.
Prof. A. II. Toleman of the University
Of Chicago. read the Declaration of In
dependence. Rev. Herbert S. Bigelow
of Cincinnati. invoked the Divine bless
ing on the deliberations of the body,
after which Mr.. Smith delivered his adj
dress.
After short recess for lunch the
convention met again, at $50. Charles
Smith called for short addresses from
delegates. Those who responded We're
DR.. w. A. Croffut of Washington; Gen.
John Beatty of Columbus, o.; Judge
Moses Hallet of Denver: Edgar A. Ban
croft of Chicago, and Gamaliel Brad
ford Of Boston.
DIR. Croffut said he had long been a
Republican, but should, this year. give
his support to Bryan. He presented
to the convention the regrets of Gen.
Wabrien and Ex-senator John Hender-
son of Washington. and Gen. yelling.
ton of Maryland. Gen. Beatty aroused
much enthusiasm by his remarks.
II have been a Republican for 50
years" he said. land propose to con-
tinue Republican until 1 die. l pray
Continued on page 81