Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-24
A GRAVE INSULT
To President Mckinley by a
Wild Anti-Imperialist.
Openly Calls Him Murderer at the
Philadelphia Convention.
A D;<orace 10 Himself. the Convention. His
Party and the Nation.

pbi,odelphia. Feb. 23.-The second
DAVIS session Of the Eastern conference
of Anti-Imperialists was characterized
nv the adoption of strong resolution
condemning the expansion polcy OF the
administration. During the discussion
President Mckinley was severely crlt-
cised and held personally responsible
for the criminal aggression OF the
country.
Today's proceedings began with an
executive meeting Of the committee on
resolution of which Herbert Welsh OF
this city. is chairman. The resolution
drafted by this committee was unanl-
mously adopted with slight amend
ments. 1t is as follows:
Whereas. The present administration
under the lead of President Mckinley,
has undertaken to extend the SOY
ereignty of the United States over Varl-
Gus tropical islands, in no case with
the consent of the people, and in the
Philippines by force of arms, and de-
MES that the inhabitants of these Is
lands have any constitutional rights:
Resolved, That this policy violates
the principles upon which our govern
liberty of these islands but also endan-
gers the permanence OF free lnstltu-
tions in our own country;
Resolved. That we will support no
man for the Presidency or for Congress
who is not known to be absolutely OPP
posed II the policy. and that we will
do our best to defeat all candidates for
either office who favor it.
That Xn rauupct the
utve committee of our national league
to call a national convention at such
time as they think wise. for the pur-
pose of securing united action by all
who hold these views"
Several of the delegates objected to
the use of President McKinleys name
ON the ground that it was unwise to in
sert personalities into a resolution of
that nature. The resolution when first
presented placed the responsibility for
the war in the Philippines with the
Republican party, under the lead of
President Mckinley, but on motion OF
Mr.. MOorfield Storey of Massachusetts,
the words the present administration
were substituted. In Offering the
amendment Mr.. Storey said that the
members of President Mckinley's cabi-
net who at heart We're opposed to the
policy Of imperialism, but by their
silence supported it. should be made to
bear their share Of the responsibility.
Those who favored striking out the
name of Mr.. Mckinley objected and
Frank Stevens of this city, answering
the objections, said
That murderer is the man who is
chiefly to blame for the shame which
rests upon this country and his name
should not be removed" Senator Hoar
came in for some criticism. Several of
the delegates declared that little as
sistancc could be expected from him
owing to his staunch support of the
President.
Mr.. Storey of Massachusetts, said
that Senator Hoar could make an ex-
cellent anti-imperialistic speech, had
done 50 and would do again, but
when the time came for voting he
voted with the President. Herbert
Welsh, in discussing the resolution.
said he regarded the administration S
imperialistic policy as the breaking
down of the American Union.
The following resolution was adopt
"a unanimously:
stated that the President proposes
shortly to deal with the Philippine in
surgents as bandits, and it is reported
in the dispatches from Manila that
native member of a guerilla band
which attacked squad of Americans
killing a corporal. is to be tried by
military commission on a charge OF
murder, which gives us reason to fear
that such n policy has already been
inaugurated,
Resolved. That we cannot too strong
ly condemn any policy which will treat
prisoners of war as criminals. which if
pursued by England during the Revo-
luton might have hanged Marion and
Sumpter as murdcrers; which when
adopted by Gen. Weyler we execrated
as butchery and which if now pursued
by the United States would add a last
touch Of infamy to our dealings with
the Filipinos
Resolved, That the executive COM
mittee of the National League be re-
quested to forward Immediately to the
administration and to every member
Of Congress a copy of his resolution
and that Congress be requested to in
quire whether any such policy is being
pursued. and, if so to demand its inn
mediate cessation
At the afternoon session, Rev. Henry
l.. Philips of this city, and Gamaliel
bradford of Boston, made addresses.
each opposing the acquisition of the
Philippines and the continuance of the
war in those islands.
The conference closed. tonight. with
n.
Chicago. Rev. Robert Ellis Thompson.
Henry Budd and Rev. Edwin c. Sweet
ser of Philadelphia: