The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1900-08-22
anti IMPERIALISTS
Discuss the Course THY Should
Pursue In the Campaign.
MAY NOT NOMINATE 4 1.sErI
Cheers Greeted the Suggestion Enns
9ympathiaers Of the MoNcrAeIb
ShOuld Give TheLB ehP-
port 70 BBySn-


indianapolis, Aus I5.-Tla first seS-
sion of the anti-imperialistlc conHen-
tion met in Tomlinson hall ut IL a. IN.
Between 300 and 400 delegates were
present when the call to order came.
Besides the regular members of the
league many members of the national
party were present. The session was
open and many visitors occupied seats
in the galleries.
George q. Mercer of Philadelphia
called the meeting to order and after
prayer by Rev. Herbert s. Blgelow of
Cincinnati, the Declaration of Inde-
pendence was read by Prof. Albert III.
Tolman of the University of Chicago
Edwin Burritt Smith of Chicago was
selected for temporary chairman and
Erving Winslow of Boston and w. j.
Nike of Chicago for temporary secre
taries. The committees on resolutions
and credentials were then appointed
Chairman Smith in taking the gavel
declared this nation had reached a
crisis in the progress of liberty. After
denouncing the administrations atti-
tude toward Porto Rico, Cuba and the
Philippines, Mr.. Smith said:
The supreme issue in this campaign does
not turn upon the fitness of the Porto
Ricnns or the Flllplnos for self govern
ment. II Is not they, but ourselves, who
are on trial. 1t often happens that the
character of the strong Is brought to the
test by their treatment of the weak. Do
we stIll believe In democracy Do we still
hold that the principles of the Declaration
of Independence are of universal appllca-
ton; that all men as such are entitled to
freedom, chat no man Is good enough to
govern another without that others con-
scnt;' that liberty Is "the heritage of all
men In all lands, eVcrywhercI" If such Is
~ -f..p0t Ia
must withhold their approval of what Nc
KInley has done, Here lies the Imperative
duty of the hour. Mr.. Mckinley may be
the willing tool of special interests. but
he is not the helpless instrument of blind
fatnlIsm. He must be held responsible for
his official conduct.
The American people must once for all
put away the imperial crown Mr.. McKin-
ley proCIcrs them A self-governlng people
can not acquire and hold power to rule
others. The might of n people, no more
than the might of king, is II warrant to
compel obedience without consent. The
proposal that the people of the United
states are or can be source OF govern
ment, whether good or bad, Tor pnr-
chased or conquered people, wholly Ignores
the basis of the republic and does violence
to its most cherished ideals. They are or
gnniZcd to govern themselves. Their gov
ernmcnt is an expression, not source OF
authority. Neither they nor their govern
ment can exercise legitimate authority
over any but citizens of the republic. There
Is place for none but citizens beneath the
American flag 1t follows, therefore, that
all who cherish American liberty, who be-
lleve in the universal application of the
principles of the Declaration of Indepcnd-
ence all who would preserve the suprem-
acy of the constitutions all who, with Abra-
ham Lincoln, would repulSe "the vanguard,
the miners and sappcrs of returning dcs-
potism." Should iii tho coming election
withhold their votes from Mr.. Mckinley.
The last six presidential elections lave
been determined by independent voters.
These voters are today united In their oppo-
SltIOn to the approval of Mr.. McKinlcy'S
course II they cooperate at the coming
election they will compass his defeat and
bring the republic back to Its true course.
The nntl.mprrlHlst leagues of the coun-
try In large measure represent these vot-
ers, and congress of more than 600 mem
bers is called to consider the situation and
fnd n basis for the largest possible co
operation of independent voters In their
EFFORT to defeat McKInlcy's reelection.
In conclusion Mr.. Smith said the
anti-imperlallst leagues correspon-
dence showed that many Independent
voters would vote directly for Mr.
Bryan while others deem 1T best to
have n third ticket to withhold votes
from Mckinley; but there has been no
attempt to anticipate or control the
action of the convention.
Throughout the delivery of Mr..
Smiths address the applause was gem
erous, but it reached it's greatest vol
ume when the temporary chairman
suggested that many of the swmpa-
thizers with the movement were dis
posed to give their support to William
j. Bryan. The cheers and shouts which
greeted this utterance lasted two or
three minutes.
A motion prevailed providing for
committee on platform and resolu-
tions to consist of 25 members. Nine
are to be selected, one each from the
anti-imperialist leagues, of Chicago,
Boston, New York, Philadelphia. Gin
cinnati, Washington, Minneapolis, Ia
dianapolis and Sioux Falls; these nine
to select the remaining 10 mOmbers OF
the committee. At 1890 the conyen-
tion took recess until 2 p. M.
The committee ON permanent organ
izatfon reported in favor of ex-Goyer-
nor George s. Boutwell,. of Massa-
chusetts, for permanent president of
the convention. Much regret was ex.
pressed by the delegates at the alb
bence of Carl Schurz and Bourkc
Cochran.
LETTER FROM COCHRAN.
Opposes Third Ticket and Advocates
support of Bryan.
indianapolis, Aug. 15-Bourke Cock
ran being unable to attend the anti