Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-08-23

President.
indianapolis, Aug. 15.-The first days
session of the national convention of the
National Anti-Imperialistic league was
somewhat disappointing so far as the at
tendance of delegates was concerned.
About 300 accredited delegates were pres
ent, but more are promised for to-mor-
row. The public meeting in the evening
was much better attended and the read
Ing of Bourke Cockran's letter was the
signal for tremendous applause.
Boutwell, IL Bryanite.
But the greatest demonstration of the
convention so far come in the afternoon
when the venerable George S. Boutwell,
ex-governor Of Massachusetts,, and secre-
tary of the treasury in the cabinet of
President Grant, concluded his address as
permanent chairman with the declara-
ton that he had turned his back on the
Republican party and should support
Bryan for president. Delegates rose in
their seats and rendered the ex-governor
an ovation that lasted several minutes.
George ]. Mercer of Philadelphia called
the convention to order and presented Ed
win Burritt Smith of Chicago as tenn
porary chairman. Prof. A. H. Tolman of
the University of Chicago read the Dec
laration of Independence. Rev. Herbert
s. Bigelow of Cincinnati invoked the
divine blessing on the deliberations of the
body, after which Mr.. Smith delivered his
address which was in favor of Bryan.
Short Addresses.
After a short recess for luncheon, the
convention met again at half past two.
~.
dresses from delegates. Those who re-
sponded were DR.. A. W. Croffut of Wash
1ngton, John A. Beatty of Columbus,
Judge Moses Hallet of Denver, Edgar
"A. bancroft of Chicago and Gammaliel
Bradford of Boston. DR.. Croffut said he
had long been a Republican, but should
this year give his support to Bryan.
DR.. Beatty said II have been a Repub-
lican for fifty years, and I propose to
continue Republican until die. I pray
that God will forgive me for voting for
Mckinley in 1896. I did not think he
would turn his back upon the eternal
principles of the republic. If Cleveland,'
or Reed or Bryan had been president
there would have been no war in the
Philippines, no butcfery of inoffensive
Christian people; no deaths of brave
American soldiers there, but our flag
would now have been hailed with &C
>clamation by a new republic"
Judg Hallett of Colorado said that his
state was sure to go for Bryan, whatever
the action of the convention.
Mr.. Bancroft said he was still faithful
to the Republicanism of 1860, but could
not adhere to the Republican party of
1900
Demonstration for Boutwell,.
The committee on permanent organiza-
ton reported in favor of George S. Bout
we'll for permanent chairman. Gov. Bout
well was accorded a great demonstration
when he took the gavel. He said:
'"This is an historic occasion If the
peril of this country is what we think it
is, if the question before US and before
your contrymen is the question of con-
tinuance of the republic, then no graver
mission has been committed to an as
sembly of men than to this convention.
1--WE are opposed to imprialism. We
are in favor of republican form of gov
eminent We respect the teachings Of
our ancestry, the glory of the history
they have left to us, and standing be-
tween the past and the future it is our
duty to transmit to posterity the prin-
ciples of the fathers and the institutions
that they founded. That is your duty to
the states of this Union.
Republic to Empire.
.'This body may not represent an or
ganzed constituency, but it is a repre-
senta ton for itself and the people of
this country and the generations that are
advancing to take our places, and it is a
representation that has a right to speak,
a representation that will be heard at
Washington to-day, heard over the world;
speaking, as we do. for the preservation
of republican institutions, representing
the American republic. the light of which.
If 1t shall go out, will never be refunded
on the surface of the earth. I charge
that the policy upon which this admins
!. trst:Uff has entered will mean the aban-
donment of the principles upon which
our government was founded; that it will
change the republic into an empire The
first of the means before US for the pres
ervation of the Union. if our allegation
is true, is the
Overthrow of the Administration.
1--WE are told there is peace in the
Philippines and that our 10000 soldiers
there are merely performing police duty.
The president has said the Philippines
are ours, and there will be no abatement
of our rights and no scuttle policy. This
seems to indicate that we have entered
upon colonial policy.
''There has been put forth recently a
statement of the conditions that will be
required of the people of Cuba If they
become independent. They are to have