Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-10-18
IMPERIALISM ABLY DISCUSSED
Issues of the Day Explained by
Senator Bacon of Georgia.
Great DEMOCRATIC MEETING
Large and Enthusiastic Gather
ing atthe Academy of Music.
Magnificent Address by u Talented Orator
From the South, Who Spoke From Per-
sonal knowledge Gained as a Member OF
Congress.


Bacon of Georgia made a mastery ad- |
dress ON the national issues at an en-
thusiastic Democratic massmeeting at |
the Academy of NJ usic last night week. |
The attendance was large and much |
interest was manifested. Many women
were present. Enjoyable music was
furnished by the irst Regiment Band.
As the speaker entered the theatre the
band played "The Blue and the Gray. y
Seated on the stage, in addition to
Senator Bacon and Chairman Peter L.
Cooper, Jr.. were State Chairman
Salisbury, County Chairman Neary,
Hon. David Z. Marvel, City Council
men Hesley, Willis and Johnston,
Building Inspector Cassidy, President
Ward Of the Board of Health, Owen
Hession, Hon. Theodore Armstrong,
John d. Thompson, George Molntyrs,
John Bonner, John Welsh, Harry j.
Ziegler. Collector of the Port Cooper,
John McCloskey, Francis j. McGoyern.
Carmen Di Mare, Josiah Marvel and
Others
Deputy Attorney General Peter L.
Cooper, Jr., who presided, was INTRO
duced by County Chairman Neary.
Mr.. Cooper made brief address, in
which he called attention to the fact
that 100 years ago the people Of the
United States, led by Thomas Jetfer-
son, repudiated the issues which the
Democratic party Is fighting today.
Senator Bacon, upon being intro
duced by Chairman Cooper, said it
gave him great pleasure to do what he
could to assist the Democrats of Della
ware in their campaign. The people
Of that part Of the country in which he
belongs look with great deal of solicit
tude upon the action Of Delaware. He
emphasized the fact that, as Delaware
has always been Democratic State,
his people cannot think that it will de-
part from its time honoIed custom. He
spoke of Delaware being the first State
enrolled in tire great Union and the
noble Democrats who have represented
In the councils of the nation.
He said the Democratic party con-
siders Imperialism the paramount issue
of the day. Notwithstanding this, no
Republican speaker or newspaper has
attempted to defend the imperialistio
policy, but have contented themselves
with denying it. IL imperialism is
the Revolution. There are various kinds
Of Imperialism. but our fathers rebelled
against the particular kind of imperial
ism which the Democratic party is now
fighting. They are fighting against
government without the consent of the
governed. Great Britain declared that
this form OF imperialism wasright and
that 1t would be maintained by force
of arms in the American colonies, but
tho Americans declared it to be wrong
and fought against 1T and won. The
Declaration of Independence opposes
this sort of Imperialism government
without representation -and the Demo
cratic party is striving to uphold tbs
Declaration of Independence.
1t is true that the great mass O
American people, regardless of party
are true to the Declaration of indie
pendenoe, and il the matter was put tt
vote nine-tonths of the great American
people would rote against undisguiset
Imperialism and in favor of upboldinl
the free institutions of the country.
The Republican party dares not fac
bhe issue squarely, therefore thei
speakers deny 1t. We have had in an,
out Of Congress, on the stump and il
the newspapers, dsnials Of tho princi
Piles OF the Declaration of Independence
The speaker referred to having hi
attention called few DAYS ago by
railroad man to Cooch's Bridge, wher
the flag was first unfurled and min
Delawareans gave their lives in thei
effort to stay the progress of the Bri
ish, who were seeking to force gov
ernment upon the Americans whic
they did not want. Those Delawarean
were fighting against the same kind {
Imperialism that the Democrats al
fighting against today. There Was onl
one issue in that war and that isau
was this same kind of imperialism.
The Republican party has been i
control Of the government absolutel
for the past three years. Take the ca.
of Porto Rico. There is where the X
publican party has acted. They passt
law which fixes the status of Por
Rico and the Porto Ricans and ID wi
remain unless declared unconstit,
tional by the court. Under that la
Porto Rico is not part of the Unite
States and the Porto Ricans are n
citizens of this country.
Referring to President Mckinley
instructions to Congress on the su
ject, recommending that restrictions
removed, he said the House of Repr
ssntatiyes framed bill carrying o
the Recommendations of the PIesldeu
In the Senate a bill was drafted ev,
more liberal, giving free territori
government, aud Porto Rico was nam
as part of the United States and Ii
people of the island were recognized
citizens of this country, with repf
sentation in Congress. 1t met with II
approval OF the Democrats and appear
TO be in d fair way to be passed, b
when it was reported to Congress, d
president oil the Beet Sugar Trust q
himself heard, got the committee
reverse its action and got the Preside
Of the United States to change
mind. He got the Eill reconstructe
SO as to provide for tariff, and VIII
the bill went back to the Senate itIw
.6 pointed out that there could he
tariff If Porto Rico was recognized as
part of the United States, and as
result all features of the bill recoepi
ing Porto Rico as part of this count
and the people as citizens were stricls
out in order to do what the preside
of the Beet Sugar Trust wanted dor
and President Mckinley endorsed /
bill.
The Republican party is an imperi
istic party, because its governmt
sets up Congress and the President
the absolute rulers of Porto Rico, til
establishing an imperialistic Cove
ment. The President should have co
munioated to Congress that be
changed his mind and why he did
What the President, his cabinet q
Congress did in that regard the Rep,
lican party has also done. When
changed bill was pending in Congr
it was almost unanimously condemn
by the Republican press of che count
as well as the Democratic press,