Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1904-06-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
fFrom our Regular correspondent,

Washington, ID. u, June ll.-Sena-
tor German has been here this week in
close communion with several other
Congressman, who have gathered at the
party rendezvous at the Riggs. They
generally agree that the Democratic
candidate, whoever he is, will make
great inrOads in the East, probably
carrying New York, Connecticut, and
New Jersey. But they do not conceal
the fact that they are very anxious
about the middle West. Whether Ill
inois is likely to be the more fruitful
field of effort, they are uncertain. Ii
the labor vote can be swung to the
Democratic candidates, as it was in
1892. there will be big Democratic
majority in Chicago, which the Re
publicanism of the rural districts could
not overcome. To this end 1t might be
desirable to take on Marshal Field for
President, or perhaps Williams
or Folk. Many small factories are
closing; the coal mining industry is not
fourishing; the railroads are discharg-
ing their hands by the tens of thou
sands. and their are grave signs of dis
satisfaction among the masses.
If it is decided to make dead set at
Indiana. there will be different deal
with the cards. Representative Miers
and b. F. Shively are mentioned for
Vice-P President and even John R. Nc
Lean, in spite of the unending quarrel,
has large following. and his assistance
will be sOrely needed.
The arrival in this city yesterday of
the called honorary commissioner
from the Philippine Islands caused a
perceptible furry of interest. The Re-
publicans who pay their hotel bills and
railroad bills rejoice greatly at the
gratitude which these subjects express
to their American entertainers. Your
correspondent called upon DR.. w. A.
Croffut, President of the Washington
Anti-Imperialists, and asked him how
this Filipino invasion would affect the
cause his league represented. He said
sIt will defeat and crush their cause,
if it convinces the American people
that the FilipinOs have been hypOcrites
through the war of invasion which we
have made upon them, or that they have
repYdiated the principles which they
announced when they began their de-
fensive fight. 1t would be sad thing
if it should convince the American
people that battle for self-government
is quixOtic and foolish and that no
people have right to be free till they
got the consent of their masters This
merry junket will certainly convince
everybody that Mr.. Tavera and his
comrades are personally not fit to gov
ern themselves, because, obviously, no
people are fit to govern themselves I'M
til they wish to do so. Of course we
know that there are multltudes of in
telligent, upright, enlightened and
fearless patriots In LuzOn and Samar
who holly repudiate not only the sem
timents of these tourists but the repre-
sentative character which they have
assumed, patriots who have enshrined
in their memories the immortal words
of Patrick Henry and in their hearts
the truths of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence and who feel that they do not
need to be apOligized for because OF
their steadfast adherence to either.
The deputation from Ireland to the
throne room thanking the King for his
beneficient sway and laying at his feet
the written protestatlons of the loyalty |
and devotion CT the people of Ireland
has never yet deceived the monarch
or the subject.
Replying to the question, what effect
this demonstration by Secretary Taft's
band would have on
the Anti-Imperialist League Itself, |
DR.. Croffut said, Governor Boutwell,.
Carl Schurz, Winslow Warren. GArri-
son, Story, Birney, and their ten thon-
sand associates will no doubt be de-
pressed by it, but not dismayed. The
principles of liberty and self govern
ment for all men will not be in any way
affected by this picnic of tories who
come to apologize for having fought for
their homes and firesides. When No.
vember arrives all Anti. Imperialists
in this country will be found voting
as they have talked and will cast their
ballots for the party whose platform
will endorse their principles.
The tendency to make this city the
organic center of every national move
ment and cause has found expression
this spring In laying the corner stone
of dozen different Federal Associa.