The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-11
UNITED AMERICANS

In the Lincoln conference between
members of the Executive Committee of
The Democratic National Committee and
representative leaders of the Populist
parry. AT which Mr.. Bryan. Mr.. Steven
son and Mr.. Towne were also present,
the most notable feature in evidence was
the earnest determination of all 10 work
ia harmony for the one great end of in
surihS the safety of the Republic from
the machine tons of the plotters for En-
pire.
Whether or not Mr.. Towne wIthdraws
from the Populist ticket 10 make way
Tor Mr.. Stevenson as the Vice Presjdeu-
tai nominee of that party. the fact re-
mains That the Democrats and Populists
are Ill thorough accord. and that their
respective campaigns will he conducted
along tie same general lines. The enc
great and paramount issue OF anti-im-
perlaiisin uniteS them as faithful and
consistent Americans The leaders of
Doth parties realize that in such a crisis
as now exists III American history the
hrst duty of Americans is To stand to-
gether iii solid formation in defense of
the principles upon which the great and
free United States Government is found.
.d.
tolncldent with the DEVELOPMENT of
the Lincoln conference comes the news
OF the confidently expressed belief of
Secretary ordway of the Anti-Imperial-
list Leasle that this organization will in
dorse the Democratic National ticket and
platform At its conference In Indianapo-
lis on August II. Mr.. ordway justly
argues that the Democratic declaration
making anti-imperialism the paramount
issue OF the campaign appeals irresisti-
bly, for the support Of the Auti-Imperial-
Isl League. and that the most effective
way OF thwarting Mr.. McKinley's efforts
to transform the Republic into an En-
pre- Is 10 vote the Democratic ticket
nominated on the anti-imperialism issue.
This expression of league sentiment is
significant indeed.
1t is becoming apparent that the true
American spirit is aroused by the peril
now menacing the Government. No mat
ter what arguments of loot may be adj
vanced to tempt us to rule the Filipinos
by force against their will, we have
been too long taught as Americans that
constitutional Governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the
goyerneC TO sanction sin So surely
destructive of our national integrity. No
matter what selfish reasons may be
urged for the continued denial to the
Porto RicanS of their rights under the
CONSTITUTIONS denial based upon the
theory that the American flag waves
over that island as a colony, not as an in
tegral part of the United Slates-we
know as Americans that "a Republic
can have no colonies" And as for the
remarkable Iecessitatcd feat of attempt
ing TO exist as a Republic On the Amer
lean mainland while ruling as an En-
pire in the Philippines and Porto Rico,
every American knows in his soul that
this Government cannot exist half Re
public and half Empire
1t is for these good and valid Amer
lean reasons that the Democrats. the
Populists, the Silver Republicans and the
Anti-imperialist League are now draw
ing close together for the great fight of
1900. 1t is a life-anddeath fight. The
existence of the Government is depepd-
ent upon its issue. The slogan of the
united assault on the plotters for Empire
is, Save the Republic-'