The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-03

, Tye3ple of Richmond. He made ha2nE REL
srnnca to his visit here in 1896, and went
Immediately in;o a mastery discussion
of The issues OF the canvass He was 1re-
quently interrupted bE enthusiastic a'-
TIE OvERsHADOWING ISSUE.
He said: The thoughtful citizen anxious
10 discharge his duty at the approaching
election, naturally inquiries what is the
most important issue involved to which
| nc should give his careful consideration?
Without dcpreciating the Importance OF
the questions of trusts, finances, rANation,
contamination. government by Injunction.
home rule. economy. and other questions
worthy Of attention. ii was believed by
the Kansas CITY Convention that the vital
question Of this campaign would be
whether our form of government is TO be
|! preserved in all its simplicity and integrity
Ii is called in brief tha issue OF imperial
ism In other words it is the issue OF
republic versus an empire.
It is the one subject which has en-
crossed popular interest since the day the
Tie interest in il intcnsifics as the cam
paign progresses. Like Banquo's ghost,
"it viii not down.
President Mckinley says there is no such
issue, and yet he devotes the greater part
of his extended letter Of acceptance in
antagonizins it. Senator Depew scouts
the idea of any danger 10 the country
from what he calls american imperial
ISM and then occupies half of his time
at his Brooklyn meeting in endeavoring
| to persuade his hearers that they ought
TO tolerate it. Governor Roosevelt recently
promoted to the Eice-Presidential nomi-
nation through the disinterested % efforts
Of Senators Platt and Quay gives nearly
all if his attention in his public speeches
to the discussion OF this topic.
1t is an issue which can!pot be ignored:
II cannot be ridicued; it cannot be sup
pressed: it overshadows all other issues;
it is here to stay.
1t involves the perpetuity of our re-
public, the nature of which is sought to
be changed by men who call themselves
Americans. but who are British in senti-
ment, British in sympathy, and British in
financial interest.
Let US examine and see what consti-
tutes the basis of the republic which is
thus being sought to be undermined
THE BASIS OF THE REPUBLIC.
In times like these it becomes necessary
10 return to the consideration of elemen-
tary principles
The first question presented is what
constitutes this Government a republic?
II Is a Republic because the people are
! iree-hecause there is a recognition of the
itS7.is "a St-L- -SSjNtlQineGt-DeCauSe the cT1d-
| ton OF royal family IS imposSible be-
cause certain inherent rights are deemed
to 5eiong to every citizen which are re-
! sarded as inalienable and of which he can
not be deprived without his consent or due
process of law-these are the essentia!
| characters which pertain 10 a republican
/ form of government
Liberty is its cornerstone. The right of
| suffrage is one Of the pillars of the struc-
tire The enactment of laws by the peo-
+; pie through representatives chosen by
| themselves IS one Of its attributes NO
| taxation without representation and '.gov-
erT2ment by the consent Of the governed
! are cardinal maXirns which appropriately
| express the principles underlying free in
! stitut:ons.
Written constitutions wherein the powers
granted to those in authority ana the
powers and rights reserved to the people
are specified and defined. have come TO be
regarded as essential to the safety and
perpetuity Of representative governments.
! The Constitution of the United States con-
| stitutes the basis of our Republic. 1t is
| the sheet anchor of our liberties. Ii guar
! antees religious liberty freedom of speech.