The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-10-17

vice of the government, that the Re-
public might be preserved and perpetu
ated. During that period OF time l
was reluctantly forced to read and
listen to the same kind Of Anti-Imperi-
alistic (copperhead) expressions as
your Association is prOmulgating to.
day, and much of it emanated from the
same toufce, AID FOR precisely the
same purpose, the embarrassment and
discreditDg OF the Administration be-
fore the people.
In 1S62-65 our armies we're compelled
TO fight open enemies in front, aud
cowardly Anti.Imperialist Eco per
heads) in their rear. They are doing
practically the same thing in the Phil
ippines today. And, regardless of the
dyspeptic nightmares that haunt the
troubled sleep of the Anti-Imperalist
dreamers, the end Will be--as in 1866
to the lasting honor and glory of the
American army, American citizenship,
and the American nation. You cay
further:
"In accepting an honorary membership
you agree to abide by the principles of the
Declaration OF Independence OF July 4th,
1776, and declare your adherence to the
Constitution of the U tied States"
Right again, and l do go solemnly
declare. My grandfathers stood for
these principles in the Revolutionary
War. | stood for them at Cold Harbor
and Petersburg in 1S64-'65. My sons
stood for them in Porto Rico in 1898
and in Luzon in 1S99-'99, and the
great body OF American citizene stand
for them today, as your Association
aud the whole civilized world shall
presently see, even though IL be with
out The aid or countenance of the Ma
tioual Association of Anti-ImperiGlist
Clubs. Again you say:
GAS an honorary member OF the Associa-
ton you will stand for a Republic as
against a Monarchy, and place on record
your denial of the power OF Congress and
the President to rule vast territories and
millions Of men outside, and in disregard
Of the Constitution"
most aesuredly stand for a Repub-
lie as against a Monarchy, and just as
assuredly do l stand for the right of
Congress and the President, under the
Constitution, to rule any or all terri
cory belonging to the United States, by
virtue of purchase or treaty. As an
ornamental side adornment TO your
charmingly persuasive letter, you hang
up in one corner, like choice painting
on the wall, the following beautiful
and exquisite sentiment, evolved from
the m8sterful and imaginative brain of
Carl Schurz:
IT don't want to see TIE day when the
! American citizen will be like his fellows in
Europe, every mau as he goes TO his work
carrying one soldier on his back"
Poor Schurzl Just think OF it'll Even
nov, every time he goes forth to make
Populistic, Anti-Imperielistic, Bryen
istc speech, his delicate, dimnutive
| physique is compelled to bear up one
/ hundred and twenty-five ten thou
sandth part Of one soldier. 1t is sad,
| indeed, TO contemplate what his lot
would be were the imperialism he
dreams Of, to become an accomplished
| fact. But fortunately, for him, in the
light of his past political history, it is
| perfectly safe to predict that he will
have another dream before his soldier
burden will become too heavy to bear,
and with every changing dream his po-
! litical eyes will discover some new OBJ
| ject, that overshadoWs everything else
within his narrow range of vision.
observe that subscriptions for Cam
paign funds should he made payable to
National Association of ANU Imper-
ialist Clubs. | should be pleased to
contribute to so noble and worthy a
cause as the preservation of the Repub-
lie, but as | have no use for silver as a
standard of value, and your party is the
bitter and uOcOmpromisng enemy OF
gold, there seems to be no way to reach
point satisfactory to both.
In conclusion. Had been North
ern copperhead during the Civil War,
l should feel that was fully qualified
for aud entitled TO, an honorary mem
bership in your Association. Never
having been a traitor to my country, in
thought or act, aud feeling assured that
never will be, am not eligible.
Yours very truly,
EDWARD L. FOSTER,