Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-15
Self-Imposed Task Of the Anti-Impe-
rialist League.
INDIANAPOLIS CONVENTION OPENS
Edwin Burritt Smith, Chairman, At
tacks the Administration.
SOME LEADE RS A B S E n T


session of the anti-imperialist congress was
called to order in Tomlinson Hall at IL
O'Clock this morning. Between 800 and 400
delegates were present. Besides the regu-
lar members CT the league many members
of the national party were present. The
session was open and many visitors occu-
pied seats in the galleries. George G. Mer-
Ger of Philadelphia called the meeting to
order. and after prayer by Rev. Herbert s.
Bigelow of Cincinnati the Declaration of
Independence was read by Prof. Albert II.
Tolman of the University Of Chicago.
Edwin Burritt Smith of Chicago was Sc
lected for temporary chairman and Erving
Winslow of Boston and w. ]. Mize Of Chi
cago for temporary secretaries. Commit
tees on resolutions and credentials We're
then appointed.
Chairman Smith, in taking the gavel, said
in part:
Edwin Burritt smiths Speech.
I'VE have met an unforeseen crisis in the
progress of liberty. The American COM
monwealth for more than a century pursued
it's course with liberty as its watchword.
1t stood in advance of all other nations as
the exponent of justice and peace Two
years ago a sordid commercialism. which in
a moment of panic grasped the reins OF
power, sought to make ours as other ma
tons are.
THE painful events of this TRANSFORMED
ton. the unexplained contrast between the
administration humanity in Cuba and its
criminal aggression in the Philippines;
the shocking fate of our plain duty in
Porto Rico and the damnable treachery to
our trusting allies in Iuzon: the continued
slaughter of the Fiiipinos by the admins
tration long after it pronounced at peace
the regions 1t had desolated: the wanton
destruction of an established native gov
eminent and substitution of mere military
force therefor; the hosting of the Amer
lean flag over slavery and polygamy; the
systematic Withholding of the truth to de-
ce1ve the people; the cowardly evasion OF
responsibility for deliberate acts by charg-
ing their inevitable consequences to the
providence of Cod the contention that
officers who are but its creatures may as
sumo and exercise powers in disregard Of
the Constitution; the final proposition that
republic may lay claim to imperial and
despotic authority over subject peoples All.
this and more today shocks the conscience
of the nation
Republican Platform Reviewed,
Mr. Smith reviewed the republican plat
form of 1896, and declared:
THE one ray of light in this passing
scene lies in the fact that what has thus
been done to divert the United States from
Its true course into the bloody mire of mil
itarism, which it was our glory to have left
Tor higher ground, was without the au-
thorty and is yet without the approval of
the American people. Mr. Mckinley himself
would have the people believe that his un-
foreseen responsibilities, our supposed per
petual obligations imposed by treaty. of
his dictation his assumption of despotic
powers over vast territories and 1,iiI;ors
of men-in a word, the transformation ~
the republic into empire, Is in no wav
chargeable to himself, but to the .provi-
dence of Cod
do we still hold that the nrinc;,ro, 20
the Declaration of Independence are of uni
yersal application? If such is still the
faith of the American people. they must
has done.
Here lies the imperative duty of the
hour- Mr. Mckinley may be the willing
1901 OF special interests. but he is not the
helpless instrument of a blind fatalism.
he must be held responsible for his official
conduct.
The American people must once for all
put away the imperial crown which Mr..
Mckinley proffers them. A self-goyerninc
people cannot acquire and hold power to
rule others There is place for none but
citizens beneath the American flag.
An Appeal to Voters.
All who believe in the universal appli-
cation of the principles of the Declare ton
or Independence. all who would preserve
the supremacy of the Constitution all who,
with Abraham Lincoln would repulse the
vanguard. the miners and sappers of re-
tuiiliiiS utSpollSH1, SDOulQ IN the coming
election withhold their votes from McKin-
ley
The last six presidential elections have
been determined by Independent voters.
These voters are today united in their op-
position to the approval of Mr.. McKinley's
course. If they cooperate at the coming
election they will compass his defeat and
bring the republic back to its true course
The anti-imperialiSt leagues of the coun-
try in large measure represent these voters.
This congress of more than 600 members
is called to consider the situation and find
basis for the largest possible co-opera-
ton of independent voters in their effort to
defeat McKinleys election.
I'VE propose to disregard all minor Ques-
lions and issues while we drive from the
temple those who have betrayed the law of
the nations life.
Our correspondence, which extends to
the entire country, dictates that independ-
ent voters in large and increasing numbers
will vote directly for Mr.. Bryan. Others
deem it desirable to have third ticket
as a means of Withholding votes from Mr.
Mckinley. Some believe this to be a good
time to found new and conservative party
that may in time dispute the control of the
government with the survivor of the
listing parties Each of these views Is ably
represented in this congress-"
The committee on permanent organization
reported in favor of former Governor Geo.
S. Boutwell, of Massachusetts for perma-
nent president of the convention.
Much regret was expressed by the dele
gates at the absence of Carl Schurz and
Bourke Cochran.
Throughout the delivery of Mr.. Smiths
address the applause was generous. but 1t
reached its greatest volume when the tenn
porary chairman suggested that many of
the sympathizers with the movement were
disposed to give their support to William
]. Bryan. The cheers and shouts which
greeted this utterance lasted two or three
minutes.
motion prevailed providing for COM
mittee on platform and resolutions. to con-
sist of twenty-five members. Nine are to
be selected. one each from the anti-in-
perialist leagues of Chicago. Boston, New
York. Philadelphia. Cincinnati, Washing
ton. Minneapolis Indianapolis and Sioux
Falls; those nine to select the remaining
sixteen members of the committee.
At 1870 the convention took recess I'M
til 2 o'clock.
Governor Boutwelrs address as perma-
nent president will not be made until late
in the afternoon and the reading of Bourke
Cockran's letter will probably be deferred
until evening.
Movements of Naval Vessels.
The Nashville arrived yesterday at Che
foo, where she will remain short time as
station ship. The Yorktown has sailed