The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-15
ANTS in SESSION
Opponents of "Imperialism"
Meet in indianapolis. ..
Over 800 Delegates Present at
Opening Session.
e. B. SMITH CHAIRMAN.
He Quotes From Speech of
Senator HOar.
Says Government Surrendered
Liberty to COmmercialism.

Indianapolis, Ind, Aug. 15.-The first
session of the anti-imperialist conven-
ton met in Tomlinson hall at IL o'clock
this morning. Between 300 and 400 dele
gates were present. Besides the regu-
lar members of the league many MEM
bers of the national party were present.
The session was open and many visitors
occupied seats in the gallery. George
G. Mercer 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 H. Tof1man of the
University of Chicago.
Edwin Burritt Smith of Chicago was
selected for temporary chairman and
Erving Winslow of Boston and w. J.
Mize of Chicago for temporary secre-
taries.
The committees resolutions and
credentials were then appointed. Chair
man Smith, in taking the gavel, said
I'VE meet an unforeseen crisis in the
progress of liberty. The American COM
monwealth for more than a century
pursued its course with liberty as its
watchword. 1t stood in advance of all
other nations as the exponent of justice
and peace. Two years ago without
warning a sordid commercialism, which
in moment of panic had grasped the
reignS of power, sought to make ours
as other nations are. 1t was under such
circumstances. to quote Senator HOar,
that a greater danger than we encOun-
tered since the pilgrims landed at Ply
mouth appeared; when, to be specific,
his friend in the White House began to
transform (again to use the senator's
words) the republic, founded on the
Declaration of Independence, guided by
the counsels of Washington, into vul-
gar, common place empire, founded
upon physical force
The supreme issue in this campaign
f11Ts Of Ia
Porto Ricans or of the Filipinos for self
government. 1t is not them but our
selves who are on trial. 1t often hap
pens that the character of the strong is
brought to the test by their treatment
of the weak. Do we still believe in De-
mOcracy? Do we still hold that the
principles of the declaration of independ-
ence are of universal application; that
all men such are entitled to freedom;
that no man is good enough to govern
another without that others consent;
that liberty is the hertige of all men in
all lands. everywhere? If such is still
the faith of the American people, they
must withhold their approval of what
Mckinley has done.
Here lies the imperative duty of the
hour. Mckinley can be the willing tool
of special interests, but he is not the
helpless instrument of blind fataliSm. He
must be held responsible for his official
conduct.
1.-The American people must once for
all put away the imperial crown which
Mr.. Mckinley ,profferS them A self
governing people can not acquire and
hold power to rule others. The might
of a people, no more than the might of
a king, is a warrant to compel obedience
without consent. The proposal that the
people of the United States are or can
be a source of government, whether good
or bad, for a purchased or conquered
people wholly ignores the basis of the
republic and does violence to its most
cherished ideals. They are organized to
govern themselves. Their government is
an expression, not a source of authority.
Neither they nor their government can
exercise legitimate authority over any
but citizens of the republic. There is
American flag.
ish American liberty, all who believe in
the universal application >of the princi- i
piles of the Declaration of Independ-
ence, all who would propose the su-
premacy of the constitution, all who
with Abraham Lincoln would repulse /
the vanguard, the miners and sappers
of returning, despotism, sohuId in the /
coming election withhold their votes
from Mckinley.
questions and issues while we drive
from the temple those who have be-
trayed the law of the nations life''
The committee of permanent organ
ization reported in favor of ex-Gover-
nor George s Boutwell, of Massachu-
setts, for permanent president of the
convention.
Much regret was expressed by the
delegates at the absence of Carl Schurz
and Bourke Cochran. /