New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-23
ANTI-IMPERIALISTS MEET.
SPEECH BY Carl. SCHURZ IN PHILADEL4-
PHIA AND LETTER FROM ED
WARD ATKINSON

Philadelphia, Feb. 22-An Eastern conference"
OF anti-imperiasts began here to-day. TO remain
in session days. They contend that the
ference in Chicago last October resulted IN a great
boom to their movement in the West. The leaders
believe that conference in the East will popuarize
the cause in this part of the country. Addresses
made to-day by the Rev Samuel Richard
Fuller and the Rev Francis Z. Abbott, of Massa-
chusetts; Talcott H. Russell, Of Connecticut; DR..
Montagu Leveson, Of Fort Hamilton, n. Y, and
interesting pamphlet by ex-senator j. b Hen
derson, OF Missouri read by DR.. w. A. Croffut
of Washington. The evening meeting ad
dressed by Herbert Welsh, Of this city and Carl
Schurz of New-York.
A private and informal conference held after
the afternoon session. in which many OF the prom
inent members of the league took part The chief
subject of discussion the coming Presidential
campaign in which William j. Bryans
frequently mentioned E. Erving Winslow
tary of the New England Anti-I mperalist League,
in speaking on the subject suggested that the
League might if advisable select Bryan the
standard bearer. He also suggested that National
convention be held after the great parties had
held their convention. so that anti-mperialists
could choose which of the two to support.
Letters of regret were read from Professor Sum
ner, OF Yale; Senator Pettigrew, Thomas w Hig-
ginson. of Cambridge, Mass; the ex-Secretary of
Agriculture j. Sterling Morton; Mayor ]. NJ Hood,
of Nashville; Professor Charles Eliot Norton, of
Cambridge; Congressman Fleming of Georgia;
Congressman Slayden, of Texas: Judge Rufus B.
Boston Mr. Atkinson, in opening his letter. said
imperiaIist convention of February %. 1 urgently
impress upon you the Importance OF putting ali the
force we can into the control of the close dis
tricts, to the end that may hold the balance in
think we may ignore the Presidential question al
tn f61k f0 a fGr myself that am beginning
De safer man han sRecousy pous fraud, and
large numbers of men In the present Congress who
ha been 20 $40 act and to DO right but who
ana by the effort Of the Administration to stigma
able to get at the truth of the matter.
At the evening session Carl schurz was the prin-
cipal speaker. In the course of his address he
said:
MOVES IS tho hot light s minded hero worship that
versary of Washingtops birth as N6fo Ie bn
oS FTe-einen Mt among the monumental figures
lions uRo and pre,eminent among them stands he
by all mankind without dissenting q" voice And
noblest and best and most glorious in our National
1t is not my purpose to undertake here an elab
acnleVements shall only recall to your memory
are OF special interest as they bear upon the
enioT problems Of our day-and first his rever
tthooght to have been bestowed by Providence upon
Wen be STe % Ro BLESSINGS 95 what 6 T6S
of Wbch to the American people the first
g ya In the land freedom had not to strug-
inherited from the Htqt ms or GUS
democracy planted itself in virgin soil to grow and
fore the natural birthplace of that great CHARTER
ton Of Independence pointing out the goal to be
reached, and destined TO serve as guiding star 70
government Of for and by the people is not To be-
solved where in the world can it be?
This greatest OF all opportunities was the Prov-
not faiI to point out the awful responsibility aris-
ing from IT, and also our duty to spread this bless
ogt by the moral power Of example.
The second less extraordinary aIthongb
Washington himself would have been too modest
70 aV9w It, It consisted in the fact that the first
PRESIDENT OF this Republic furnished in himself
by MS character the principles he followed the
policies, the most perfect model Of a Repubiican
Ghler Magistrate in the history of the world-a
successors-indeed all those welding public power
IN this Republic-could with the utmost confidence
The third unique Providential favor enjoyed bv
the American people consists, owing to their
from those embarrassments and dangers by which
other nations being In constant touch with power
themselves obliged to keep up vast burdensome
ana constantly increasing ornaments on land and
These were the extraordinary Providentiai favors
bestowed upon the American people part Of which
George Washington Witnessed part of which he
foresaw, and the duties and responsibilities flow
Ing from which he felt so deeply.
Mr. Schurz then discussed In detail the situation
growing out of the Spanish War, reiteratlng his
arguing that the anti-imperialist policy would win
In the end just the antI-savery cause did
when the conscience Of the Nation was aroused In
part he said
The people will 1nd II they have not found 1t al
name which un.ess il be undone, so far as It can
De, VIII cover them with eternal Disgrace. l chaI-
out in the whole history OF the world a single act
~ 9a perndy committed BY republican government
more Infamous than that which has been commit