The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-12-08
THE FIRST IMPERIAL CONGRESS-.

THE FIRST IMPERIAL CONGRESS.
In it's leading article under the
above caption the Chicago American
of last Sunday said in part:
The Congress that meets tomorrow
is the same body in membership rs the
one that adjourned last summer, but
in spirit and conduct it is likely to
prove entirely different. For the first
time the American people in a Presi-
Dental election have given n decision
that may he construed as verdict in
favor of Imperialism. We do not be-
lievc they really meant that, but the
Republican leaders have assumed that
they did. and Congress will act upon
that theory. The brakes have been
thrown off and we shall coast toward
the empire without that restraining
fear of the popular wrath to come that
has always held back reckless politi-
clans heretofore
Sinister indications of the new spir-
it crop up everywhere. For instance,
the other day. a Republican organ, ex-
ulting over the triumph of militarism,
told of the long struggle of Represent
alive Hull for larger regular army,
with it's early failures, and remarked
scornfully: Ills colleagues had post
offices to build and harbors to inn
prove"
There speaks the contempt Of the
French milit;iry gang for the "pckin"
who earns the money the army spends.
There is the point of view of the swag
gcring German officer who crowds
women off the sidewalk into the mud.
and runs Ills sword through the I'M
armed civilian that accidentally iostlcs
him in cafe
Post offices and harbOrs are merely
Instruments of intelligence and of
They promote the ends OF
sOrtlid peace. Along with schools they
represent the means by which the
American Republic has grown great
Until November 6. 1900, n Representa-
tive could have devoted himself to
nothing more likely to bring him into
favorable notice. Now the way to adj
we are told, is through the
effort to reproduce on this continent
The European military systems whose
absence has been hitherto Americas
chief pride.
1t will be the duty of the Dcmocratl.
minority in Congress to watch and ex-
pose every step away from the tradi-
tional principles of our republic. Tho
Democrats will not make an obstruc
tive resistance to measures which the
Republican majority is determined.
after full discussion to carry out, but
they will see that the country under
stands thoroughly what Is being done.
and that the entire responsibility is
placed where it belongs.
Among the fruits of the election
which the Republicans in Congress
may be expected to gather IN at this
session are:
a great standing army.
A system of colonial government.
An isthmian canal under European
A shipping subsidy law.
A Pacific cable owned by subsi-
died corporation.
1t may not be possible to beat these
things, but they can be exposed. anu
discussion may lOp off some of their
most repulsiye features. A few days
ago it was intimatcd that we might
have n regular army of 100000 or 20O.-
600 men. The reception of that sug-
gestion was such that nothing more
has been heard of it, and the present
plan is said to be for an army with an
elastic limit, ranging from maximum
of 100000 to minimum of $4,000 men.
If the Democrats keep up the attack
they may make the normal strength
$4,000 with a provision for an Increase
to 100000 in times of great emergency.
That will be n wonderful Improvement
on the inflated plans cherished by the
in the intoXication of tile
first election returns.
1t will be the duty of the Democrats
in Congress to make these points clear.
1t will be their business. too. to de-
mand for the people of our new pos
sessions an American instead of a
European form of government. They
will have to fight for an American Mic