The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-16
A New Englander's Tender Con-
Sria~re


The shift to which the anti-lmpeTial-
lists OF New England have been put 10
account for their purpose TO support
Mr.. Mckinley is sufficiently amusing,
but IL is not without its serious side. 1t
Is thu excuse they give that Is amusing;
the attitude which makes the excuse
necessary shows very clearly that il AZ
any tirua in the Immediate or remote
future the republican party should car
" out what they have already begun,
To its logical conclusion and abolish
the constitution. the New Eng
land patriots could be depended
On 20 support the party and
aid in the destruction CT the party.
They permit no conviction. no moral
or patriotic consideration 10 come be-
tween them and the syndlcated COM
merciai interests which now have
charge Of the republican party. This is
tho serious side 10 the situation.
No doubt many Of our readers have
had an opportunity 10 read some OF
the New England newspapers during
tho long extended discussion over
American acquisition OF the Philip
pines Il Is sufficient 10 say that those
who called themselves anti-imperialists
when there was no question OF imperi-
alism 20 consider. took the very highest
grounds. They declared it was a great
moral issue: that 20 enter a claim OF
sovereignty over far distant islands as
thu result of n war begun for the free
dom and independence Of Cuba. was
crime against liberty
On a former occasion we have taken
Senator Hoar as the type and represen-
tative OF these New England anti-im-
periaIists- We have selected him as
an example FOR the reason that his
years. his experience and his position
make him more conspicuous than the
rest He Is a United States senator
from 4 commonwealth which includes
in its boundaries Lexington. Concord.
Bunker fin and FanueIl Hall. and he
has been foremost among those who
have uttered imprisoned protests
against the projects and policies Oi the
republican party In regard 10 the Phil
ippiue islands Tie has committed him
self 20 every argument that has been
employed against the expansion and
imperiai.stic policy OF his party
Nevertheless. the venerable senator.
when driven 20 the wall by the course
OF events. seizcs NJ. Mckinley In a
hearty embrace and declares that he Is
glad 70 support him. although the pres
ieent has committed himself iOyOusly
to a policy which Mr.. HOar has de-
slaref presages the destruction Of pop
uIar liberty. But the prominent posi-
ton occupied by the senator makes il
Necessary for him TO explain his posi-
tinn. and we do not hesitate TO say that
IL Is the most childish and unsatisfac-
tory explanation that was ever offered
by anv public man for deserting his
convictions and giving his sup
port to n policy which he has de-
nCunced as an attack on the most vital
principle Of popular government
Mr. Hcar. according 20 his own dec
Iaration. will support Mr. Mckinley
and his policy Of imperialism because
Mr.. Bryan urged \ ratification Of the
treaty % peace, II will be seen that
Mr.. HOar has more objection to the
man who refuses to take a roundabout
way Of Gefeating n measure than he has
10 tn. man who coBceives the scheme
and carries il out. According 20 this
New England logic the man who con-
mits q crime is less Objectionable than
the person who is even suspected OF be-
ing an accessory.
II is possible TO give a clear and rea-
sonably logical description Of Senator
Hoar's position. which we proceed to
do:
I. Imperialism is crime against
popular liberty; Mr.. Hoar opposes il
and Mr.. Mckinley favcrs IT; therefore
Mr.. Hoar is for Mckinley.
Q. Mr. Bryan, opposing imperial
ism, was in favor Of the treaty Of
peace; therefore Mr. Hoar will sup
port Mckinley, who favOrs impe-
rialism-
3. Mr.. Bryan favored resolution
declaring imperialism to be against
the policy of this government. Mr.
Hoar voted for this resolution, and