Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-10-05
AN IMPENDING CRISIS.
The NATION is AT THE PART
ING OF THE WAYS.
Tho Imperialism of Capitalism Arro-
gantly Rules-Millions Of Dollars Are
Being Contributed to Achieve victory,
(R. q. FlOWer.)

49,
the history of our republic. In the
past quarter of century we have had
nothing that could compare with. 1t in
its high moral tone; while 1t Is one
of the clearest, fairest and most log
ical statements that has been made OF
the supreme issue of the hour-the is
sue upon which hinges the fundamen-
tai principles Of republican govern
ment. 1t is trumpet blast addressed
to the sleeping conscience of the
American people such as has not been
heard since the days of Abraham Lin
coin, and indeed upon Mr.. Bryan has
fallen the royal robe of unselfish pa
triotism and far-seeing craftsmanship
which made the much-derided back
woods lawyer and greatest president in
America since Jefferson, and from my
Utmost soul l believe he has been rails
ed up, as Lincoln was, to save the re-
public in crisis greater than has
ever before confronted free govern
ment.
There are three issues which over
shadow all others In the present con-
flict and which will be definitely set
tied by the pending election, and they
are issues that affect vitality not only
the life of free government, but the
liberty, happiness and prosperity Of
millions of American people.
Q). Imperialism and militarism.
(2). Trusts, or the Imperialism Of
capital at home.
(3). Government by injunction.
1t is difficult to conceive Of any
thing more insulting to the intelli-
gence of the American voter than the
pretense that the colonial system pro-
posed by the republican party and be-
ing carried out by the present ad-
ministration is in line with the spirit
or letter of our cherished institutions.
If it is an expansion along the lines
Of free government 1t will not antag-
onize the immortal Declaration of
independence or the constitution, and
yet it is so glaringly opposed to these
great charters of freedom that the
leaders who a few years ago were wont
to appeal to the constitution and dec
laration on all occasions now tell us
that we have outgrown those splendid
instruments which differentiated our
republic from the imperial and mon
archial government of the old world
and which made the United States the
| ne h,, nit ND IN,
the leader of civilization. Where
among free governments do we find
presidents for the colonial rule estab-
lished by the present administration
in Porto Rico, and which is proposed
for the Filipinos? They cannot be
found where the principles of the Dec
laration of independence exist as a
living force. And yet the system of
rule established by our president, who
deliberately opposed giving the dwell
ers in the Gem of the Antilles what
he had solemnly declared to be our
plain duty, Is not new. Far from It.
1t was fashioned by imperial Rome,
and has been copied by despotic en-
the Caesars. Spain copied 1t for her
American colnies; England copied 1t
for India; and now the republican adj
ministration insists on becoming an
imitator of monarchies, even though
to do SO compels the republic to turn
its back ON the keystone in the temple
of freedom.
Should the American people so far
forget the sacred trust that has been
given them as to re-elect President
Mckinley the republic at once ceases
to be the leader of the ages and be-
comes a camp follower, aping the
monarchies of the old world in the
colonial system of rule. No amount
of quibbling can deceive any reason
ably intelligent citizen in regard to the
fact that the program Of the republic
an party means Imperialism, nor that
1t is patterned after the rule Of i'm
perial and monarchical governments.
Nor is that all. Imperial governments
demand and require large standing
armies, and this means oppressive tax
alton at home. followed by the over
throw of every semblance of free gov
eminent. Witness Rome. The fate
Of every republic that has gone down
on the continent Of Europe should af-
ford a solemn warning to every pa
troitic American. They have in al
most every instance died through the
sword of force from within or the
canker of corruption through greater
in unscruplous hands And today
both these evils menace the republic
from the party whose apostaey finds
no equal in the annals of the ages.
From Mr.. Lincoln to Mr.. Hanna
marks the descent; nor is the COMPARE
son unjust, for as the lofty passion for
freedom, justice and happiness for the
humblest citizen, which made the name
of Lincoln forever glorious, was the
embodiment of the republican party
when 1t came into power, so today Mr..
Hanna is even more pronouncedly the
true representative and exponent of
the republican party as 1t exists, per-
meated as 1t is with the materialism
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