The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-08-16


with the Republicans in the support
which they gave to the President.
| When the war was over and the Re-
publican leaders began to suggest the
propriety Of a colonial policy. opposi-
ton at once manifested itself. When
the President finally laid before the
Senate a treaty which reco oynized the
| independence of Cuba but provided foI
the cession of the Philippine Islands
to the United States, the menace OF i'm
perialism became so apparent that
many preferred to reject the treaty and
risk the ills that might follow rather
| than take the chance Of correcting the
errors of the treaty by the independent
action Of this country.
was among the number of those
who believed it better to ratify the
treaty and end the war, release the
volunteers, remove the excuse for wal
expenditures, and then give to the Fill
pinos the independence which might
be forced from Spain by a new treaty.
In view of the criticism which my 40.
ton aroused in some quarters l take
given at that time. thought it safer
| to trust the American people to give
independence to the Filipinos than to
trust the accomplishment of that pur-
pose to diplomacy with an unfriendly
nation. Lincoln embodies an argument
in the question, when he asked, Can
aliens make treaties easier thar
friends can make laws?" believe that
We are row In a better position to
wage a successful contest against i'm
perialism than We would have been
had the treaty been rejected. With
the treaty ratified, a clean issue is
presented between government by
consent and government by force,
and imperialists must bear the respon-
sibility for all that happens until the
question is settled. II the treaty had
been rejected, the opponents Of impe-
rialism would have been held respon-
sible for any international compiica-
tions which might have arisen before
the ratification Of another treaty. But
whatever differences Of op- -nion may
have existed as the best method Of
opposing the colonial policy, there
never was any difference as to the
great importance of the question and
there Is no difference now as to the
course to be pursued.
Trusts and free coinage and the 9TH
sr Issues Of the campaign were force
fully discussed by Mr.. Bryon in his
speech. At its conclusion. Hon. Adlai
L. Stevenson was presented. His speech
was literally applauded, and brought
out llany OF the salient points at Is,
sue between the parties in the pres
ent campaign. His speech was espclai-
ly strong on the subject Of trusts, that
point being as follows:
THE deadly power Of the trust is felt
in all channels OF trade. This is but
the beginning. Ia it too much to say
that unless restrained by wholesome
laws. wisely and efficiently admins
tered. the danger becomes appalling!
Fostered by the Dingley tariff law
the trusts, during the present ReDub-
lican administration, have enormously
increased in number and in power. A
determined effort for. their suppression
must now be made. Delay would still
further endanger every lawful business
interest of the country. The impera-
tive necessity for remedy being con-
ceded, the question arises: Into whose
hands shall be committed the work OF
formulating laws looking to the sup
nression OF trusts! To whom shan Do
Intrusted the execution Of such laws!
Shall it be to the victims or 10 the
beneficiaries OF the oyershadoWlns
evil? II to the latter, then 1urtner
lease Of power to the present ADMINS,
tration is all that Is needed. Gan any
sane man believe that the trust evil IL
one that will cure itself, or that its &C.
struction will be comassed by those
to whom it has brought princely for
tunes? II so, let him point to a single
honest attempt Of Republican Officials
to enforce the laws now upon our
statute books against the most STU
pendous commercial evil known to any
peri/. OF our history.
THE Democratic party stands pledg-
ed to an unceasing warfare against prl-
mands the enforcement OF existing
vate monopoly in every form. 1t de-
laws against trusts, and the enact
ment Of laws yet more stringent. 1t
wisely demands publicity as to the
affairs of corporations engaged in in
ter-State commerce. AS one means TO
the important end Of curtailing the
power of trusts, we favor such amenol
ments of our tariff laws as will place
the products Of trusts upon the free
list and thereby preevnt monopoly un-
der the plea Of protection. During al