The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-18
A WICKED ABSURDITY.
Is What Gov. Roosevelt Calls the
Democratic Position on
the Philippines.

Roosevelt. OF New York, addressed a
most enthusiastic crowd in the Audi
torium in this city last night. Thous-
andS of people besieged the doors of the
hall two hours before they were opened.
When at O'Clock the crowds were
finally given a chance to get inside,
every inch of space was filled in a few
minutes. Thousands of persons surged
about the streets, unable to gain en-
trance. The day session of the Nation
al Republican League clubs convention
was a tame affair to that presented
when the Empire state governor arriv-
ed before the building just before $50
p m. He was compelled to reply to the
repeated calls for speech. Governor
Roosevelt said
Il intend to speak this evening in the
hall and can say but a word to you
now. All can say now is to appeal to
you as Republicans to stand by prin-
clples OF our great national party ap-
peal to you as men and as patriotic
American citizens to stand by us now
to stand by the great party that stands
for liberty and prosperity at home and
abroad wherever floats the American
flag
When the party entered the hall the
governor was given great ovation.
octette of we'll known singers, fur
nished two selections and then Colonel
Stone formally called the meeting to
order
introduced the great crowd came to it's
feet and six minutes of cheers and ap-
plause swept the hall. When Roosevelt
finally was able to make himself heard,
he returned thanks for the reception
that had been rendered him here. He
thanked the Roosevelt club especially
for its choice of a, name and uniform.
He said he was pleased at the honor for
it was a club of young men, and young
men stood for much. The governor then
spoke for decency and efficiency in pub
lie life, for courage in carrying out
what one believes. He had no use, he
said for timid persons. Public officials
should be honest, brave and have the
saving grace of common sense. These
were needed in public, just as much as
in private life.
Continuing he said: 1--WE have come
here to begin work of a campaign more
vital in its interest than has taken
place since the civil war. We appeal not
only to Republicans, but to all good
citizens who are Americans in fact as
we'll as in name, to help US in re-elect-
ing President Mckinley. 1t was indeed
of infinite Importance to elect him four
years ago. Yet the need is even greater
now. Every reason that then obtained
II his favor obtains now, and many
more have been added. Four years ago
the success of poDulistic democracy
would have meant fearful misery, fear
full disaster at home; it would have
meant the shame that is worse even
than misery and disaster. Today it
immeasurable disgrace of abandoning
the proud position we have taken, of
f1inching from the great work we have
begun. President Mckinley has more
than made good all that he promised,
or that was promised on his behalf and
as the smoke clears away we see how
utterly trivial are the matters because
OF which his administration has been
criticised, when compared with the i'm
mediate substantial gains for American
honor and interest which under that
administration have been brought
about"
Referring to the Kansas City conven-
tiOn, Governor Roosevelt said:
THE dominate note of the convention
is insincerity. The convention which
nominated Mr.. Bryan was in character
infinitely below that which nominated
him in 1896. In 1896, for all their wild
and dangerous folly, his advocates had
at least the merit of sincerity in their
fanaticism. However wrong headed,
they knew what they believed and stat
ed it without fear In 1900 their actions
were determined purely by policy, and
the pandering to the worst and most
degraded passions in our national life,
bad enough in all conscience sake in
itself, was rendered infinitely worse be-
cause robbed of every vestige of hon
esty and sincerity Tt took them two
days to find out what they believed
about silver, and this was the only
plank concerning which they took the
trouble to find out their beliefs at all
They reasserted the doctrines of an
archy which they had preached in '96,
not because they longer believed in
them, but because they hoped by an
nouncing them to attract to themselves
all men of unsound and violent mind. =
In the course of a bitter derunciation
of the Democratic OPPOSITION to the ad-
ministration's Philippine policy Roose-
welt said:
in china we see at this moment the
awful tragedy that is found just exactly
in such a movement as that which the
so-cal1ed anti-imperialists have cham
pioned in the Philippines. The boxers,
in China are the precise analogues and
representatives of Aguinaldian rebels in
the Philippines. Had we adopted the
policy of scuttle' in the Philippines, the
policy which our political opponents
now champion the streets of Manila
would have witnessed such scenes as
those of the streets of Pekin To allow
the Filipino rebels to establish their
own So-called government and then to
protect them against other civilized ma
tions would be exactly as if we now
sided with the boxers in China, de-
manded for them the liberty to
butcher their neighbors, allowed them
to establish their own Independent gov
ernment and then agreed to protect
them from the wrath of civilized man.
kind A more wicked sabsurdity than
the Kansas City proposition for deal
ing with the Filipinos was never enun-
ciated by the representatives of a po-
litical party"
Governor Roosevelt concluded his
peroration at exactly $3.50 O'Clock when
the audience arose en- masse and over
1000 voices shook the air for about five
minutes.
A carriage was waiting at the door
the governor entered at once was driv-
en- to the station and at 11.25 he was
flying eastward on his journey home
with the fixed purpose of making a
speech nowhere while en- route.
Weather Indications