The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-12
COULD NOT LABOR
AGAINST MCKINLEY
FAILURE OF ONE SCHEME TO
AID MR.. BRYAN.
Howard McWilliams' Reasons for
Refusing to Join or Talk for Anti
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Bryan To-
day One Of the Most Dangerous
Men in American Politics.


Editor Of The Tribune
Dear Sir: The accompanying letter
In the Brooklyn Eagle, Democratic
paper, from Mr.. Howard McWilliams.
q rising young lawyer Of New York
city, son Of Mr.. d. w. McWilliams, for
many years the president of the Brook
lyn Young Mems Christian association
and distinguished philanthropist. is
SO brilliant and powerful. In giving
his reasons for declining the invitation
to Join the "Anti-Imperialist League"
and make speeches in its behalf dur
Ing the present political campaign, that
am greatly desirous to have scran-
ton young men share with me the
pleasure and profit which I have had
in reading It,
have been frequently urged by
friends for whom have warm Der
sonal regard. and for whose nom
political opinions a great respect, to
consider the claims Of the Prohibition
party at this momentous time. While
I am heart and soul a temperance man,
vet sufficient votes for third party
just now would give the election to
Mr.. Bryan, who in the position which
he holds, despite his upright personal
character. is today, as Mr.. McWilliams
clearly points out, "the most DANGER
Gus man in American politics"
Very truly yours,
Charles E. Robinson.
AS Monroe avenue, Scranton. Pa,
Oct. IL, 1900.
Howard Mcwillia,ns. q son Of d. ". Nc.
Williams, a well known Brooklynite. was re-
Gently requested to join the Anti.Imperialistic
league and make speeches in its behalf during
the campaign. Mr.. Mcwillams reply to Gilt
ford W. Hartridge, representing the league, was
. declination and his reasons for refusing the
leagues proposition are interesting, to say the
least. His letter follows:
"Clfford W. Hartridge, esq.,, IS Nassau Street,
New York City.
"Dear Sir: beg to acknowledge the receipt
Of your favor Of the 18th inst. extending me
an invitation for my cooperation with the
Anti.Imperiaistc league, which cheerfully
and respectfully decline, notwithstanding the
strong temptation presented in the opportunity
afforded to address two large audiences and in
the subtle fattery connected Herewith ! must
admit, however, to be candid, that the regret
natural under the circumstances, attending my
declination is greatly tempered by my slis'
picon. nay, even conviction that increases from
day to day--that the hopes and expectations OF
the promoters Of these ghost dances-l use the
appellation responsibilities to the anticipated
size Of the attending audiences, are based upon
total Misrepresentation Of the disposition tenn
per and spirit Of the average American citizen.
He is curious of novelties and is often deceived
for time by a specious appearance and fine
phrases neatly turned, but as for this so.called
issue OF Imperialism-I concede the dignity OF
capital letter-he is perceiving, in my Judgment
more clearly day by day that it is truly
scarecrow made up Of discarded umbrella
sticks, old clothes, sawdust and wind, and after
temporary shiver of natural apprehension
caused by the sudden obtruson Of the gruesome
thing in his path, he will laugh, and pass on
to seriously consider the real issues in this
campaign. They may be found skukng behind
the dummy and may be comprehensively desig-
mated Bryanism. This is the real thing the
voters are again asked to consider this year,
hidden in the shadow OF this dreadful imperial
ism, which latter bogie has been dragged to
the front so that the sensitive eyes and nostrils
OF gold Democrats may not again be offended
Many Of us are hoping and praying that the
stout defenders OF the citadel, on which float
the twin banners of national honesty and ma
tional honor, will again rally to repe the en-
trance Of this wondrous wooden horse. but which
contains, as in the tabled story Of Troy. armed
men; in this case. the champions Of financial
reputation and national dishonor both at home
and abroad
1t is frankly admitted in the South, where
Bryan will get upward Of l2o votes in the cleo
toral college, 50 at least Of which are based on
the enumeration Of citizens who are prevented
by shotguns and absurd and illegal grandfather
clauses from voting--the only American i'm
perialism that l know of-that this is "good
enough Morgan to catch the votes Of those
timid voters who allow their wives to explore
the house for strange night noises.
nm further strengthened in my resolution
by noting that the purpose OF your organization
sis to check the strong current created by the
present administration, which tends to carry us
away from the constitution Of the United States
and the declaration Of independence and all
other landmarks and safeguards" ! assume that
this fervid, intense, and perhaps. possibly. en-
treme language Is intended to describe the Phil
ippine and Porto Rico policy Of the present ad-
ministratioa. cannot deny that 'strong cur.
rents have been created" by it-.the letter to
which reply is certainly proof Of that, but
you will permit me, hope, respectfully to state
my astonishn,ent that you, though lawyer,
should allow your name to he used as an author.
ity for the charge that this policy is unconsti.
tutonal l can admit difference Of opinion
as to its wisdom, although ! cannot see, admit
ting the victory in Manila bay, how we could
have done otherwise than was done, with ia.
tional honor). but not as to its constitutonality
On this point we lawyers take our conclusions
from the decisions Of the Supreme court Of the
United States-and not, I trust, from the cheap
clamor OF the chronic oficeseeker who is now
stamping up and down the country, raising one
issue here and another there and then observ-
ing the effect like quack doctor, to see how
the drugs work.
1t is Of curious interest to note that the only
decision upon which the anti'imperialists can rely
Is the famous-or infamous-Dred Scott case,
which was the bulwark OF slavery-the only form
OF imperialism in this country since l776 In
the crash Of 1875, in the blood OF a million
men, in the thirteenth. fourteenth and fiteenth
amendments, and in many decisions Of the su.
preme court, this case stands reversed forever
en- the page Of history. You are. OF course,
familiar with these decisions OF the supreme court
on the colony and territory question, which have
been most ably commented upon by Mr. Charles
A. Gardiner in a recent address widely circulated
in the papers Of last Sunday and Monday, and l
therefore conclude that you permitted, through
the use Of your name to this un-
Just, untruthful and lbelous attack upon a pa
triotic administration, that has patiently. faith
fully and with panstaking care followed the pre-
cedents established in the acquisition Of Florida,
Louisiana and Alaska, mainly under Democratic
presidents. lie makes great mistake who
imagnes that the administration has entered
upon its present course without due thought and
careful research and counsel, for whatever may
be the faults Of the present party in power, they
are not cursed with that fatal and infinite capa'
city for laundering with which their opponents
have been afflicted for forty years, and which
makes the average business man dread their re.
instatement in office more than the plague.
l have already trespassed upon your courtesy
in the length Of this reply and ! cannot close
without recapitulating the reasons why cannot
accept your invitation.
"A MpE Is n vnia for
Bryan.