Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1900 — IMPERIALISM A HOAX. [ARTICLE]

IMPERIALISM A HOAX.

PRESIDENT M’KINLEY SO DECLARES IN A SPEECH. Nation Will Not Shirk Its Reaponaibilities—Future of the Colonies, He Says, la the People’a Question—Denies Alliances with Other Nations. ‘There can be no imperialism,” said President McKinley, addressing the Ohio Society’ of New York city the other night. “Those who fear are against it,” he added. “Those who have faith in the republic are against It. So that there is universal abhorrence for it and unanimous opposition to it.” The President was the guest of honor on the occasion of the fourteenth annual dinner of the society and his brief address, delivered Informally, but large with significance in its references to current political developments, was the feature of the dinner. The reference quoted at the outset was delivered with the most fervid earnestness and it evoked thb heartiest expressions of sympathy from the distinguished company present The list of speakers on the program included the President, Gov. Nash, Solicitor General of the tfnlted States John A. Richards, Lieut. Gov. Wood - ruff and James 11. Hoyt. There were no fixed toasts, the speakers having 'subjects allotted to theist as they were called upon. Although President McKinley came with the understanding that he was not to be called upon for a formal speech, he agreed to speak briefly. Short as was his contribution to the evening’s oratory, he discussed national Issues pithily and forcefully, and it is doubtful if the Presidept ever made an address In New York city that was more thoroughly effective.

His ffianner was quiet and impressive, but w’heu he came to speak of imperialism bis voice rang full and clear in the words; "There can be no imperialism.” Another important declaration of the President w’hlch was received with prolonged cheering was when he said with significant emphasis: "We are neither in alliance nor antagonism nor entanglement with any foreign power, but on terms of amity and cordiality with all.” When he resumed his seat, it only for a moment, for in the midst of the cheering the orchestra struck up "The Star-Spangled Banner,” and he rose and stood while, as a fitting climax to his speech, the whole gathering sang the anthem. President Southard of the society presided and began the speech-making by introducing President McKinley, who was greeted with great applause. He said: Mr. Toastmaster and Gentlemen—l appreciate your welcome and thank you for this renewed expression of your good will. It is proper that I should say that the managing board of the Ohio Society has kept the promise made to me that I would not be expected or required to speak at this banquet. I shall not be guilty of reflecting on their good faith or breaking my own resolution not to speak if I indulge in some observations while expressing in the briefest manner the pleasure which I have in greeting my old friends of the Ohio colony in New York. There is a bond of close fellowship which unites Ohio people. Whithersoever they journey or wherever they dwell, they cherish the tenderest sentiment for their mother State, and she in turn never fails of affectionate interest in her widely scattered children. It has been some years since I was your guest. Much has happened in the meantime. We have nad our blessings and-our burdens and still have both. We will soon have legislative assurance of the continuance of the gold standard with which we measure our exchanges, and we have the open door in the far East through which to market our products. We are neither in alliance nor antagonism nor entanglement with any foreign power, but on terms of amity and cordiality with all. We buy from all of them and sell to all of them, and our sales exceeded our purchases in the last twoxyears by over $1,000,000,000. Markets have been increased and mortgages have been reduced. Interest has fallen and wages have advanced. The public debt is decreasing. The country is well to do. Its people for the most part are happy and contented. They have good times and are on good terms with the nations of the world. Talks of Peace and War. There are unfortunately those among us, few in number, I am sure, who seem to thrive best under bad times, and who, when good times overtake them in the United States, feel constrained to put ns on bad terms with the rest of mankind. With them I can have no sympathy. I would rather give expression to what I believe to be the nobler and almost universal sentiment of my countrymen in the wish not only for our peace and .prosperity, but for the peace and prosperity of all the nations and peoples of the, earth.

After thirty-three years of unbroken peace came an unavoidable war. Happily the conclusion was quickly reached, without a suspicion of unworthy motive or practice or purpose on opr part, and with fadeless honor to our arms. I cannot forget the quick response of the people to the country’s need, and the quarter of a million men who freely offered their lives to their country’s service. It was an impressive spectacle of national strength. It , demontsrated our mighty reserve power, and taught us that large standing armies are unnecessary when every citizen is a “minute man” ready to join the ranks' for national defense. Out of the recent events have come to the United States grave trials and responsibilities. As it was the nation’s war, so are its results the nation's problems. Its solution rests upon us al). It is too serious to stifle. It is too earnest for repose. No phrase nor catchword can conceal the sacred obligation it involve*. No use of epithets,' no aspersion of motives by those who differ will contribute to that sober judgment so essentia! to right conclusions.

No political outcry can abrogate our treaty of peace with Spain or absolve us from its solemn engagements. It is the people’s question, and will be until ft* determination is written out in their enlightened verdiet. We must choose between manly doing and base desertion. It will never l>e the latter. It must be soberly settled in justice and good conscience, and it will be. Righteousness which cxalteth a nation must control in its solution. No great emergency has arisen in this nation’s history and progress which has not been met by the sovereign people with high capacity, with ample strength, and with unfaltering fidelity to every honorable obligation. Partisanship can hold few of us against solemn public duty. We have seen this so often demonstrated in the pasft as" 1 to mark unerringly what it will be in the future. The national sentiment and national conscience were never stronger or higher than now. There has been a reunion of the people around the altar consecrated to country newly sanctified by common sacrifices. The followers of Grant and. Lee have fought Under the same flag and fallen for the same faith. Party lines have loosened and the ties of union have been strengthened. Sectionalism has disappeared and fraternity and union have been rooted in the hearts of the American popple. Political passion has altogether subsided and patriotism glows with (inextinguishable fervor in every home of the land. The flag has been sustained on distant seas and islands by the men of all parties and sections and creeds and races and nationalities, and its stars are only those of radiant hope to the remote peoples over whom it floats. Abhorrence of Imperialism. There can be no imperialism. Those who fear it are against it. Those who have faith in the republic are against it. So that there is universal abhorrence fpr it and unanimous opposition to it. Our only difference is that those who do not agree with us have no confidence in the virtue or capacity or high purpose or good faith of this free jieople as a civilizing agent, while we believe that the century of free government which the American people have enjoyed has not rendered them irresolute and faithless, bnt has fitted them for the great task of lifting up and assisting to better conditions and larger liberty those distant peoples who have through issue of battle become our wards.

Let us fear not: There is no occasion for faint hearts; no excuse for regrets. Nations do not grow in their strength and the cause of liberty and law is not advanced hy the doing of easy things. The harder the task the greater will be the result, the benefit, and the honor. To doubt our power to accomplish is to lose faith in the soundness and strength of our popular institutions. The liberators will never become the oppressors. A self-governed people will never permit despotism in any government which they foster and defend. Gentlemen, we have the new care and cannot shift it, and, breaking up the camp of ease and isolation, let' us bravely and hopefully and soberly continue the march of'faithful service and falter not until the work is don£. It is not possible that 75,0CX),000 of American freemen are unable to establish liberty and justice and good government in our new possessions. The burden is our opportunity. The opportunity is greater than the burden. May God give us strength to bear the one and wisdom so to embrace the other as to carry to our distant acquisitions the guaranties of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” At the conclusion of the President’s speech the diners arose and cheered him vigorously. Gov. Nash, of Ohio, was next introduced. He spoke on the Governors of Ohio, going over the historical list, beginning with the first Governor of the Northwest territory. When he came to the name of McKinley there was again cheering for* the I’resident. Lieut Gov. Woodruff responded to the toast. “The Empire State.” In response to repeated calls Got. Roosevelt arose and spoke briefly. These three years that our President has been in the White House, Gov. Roosevelt said, have been three great years. President McKinley found the nation stumbling in some of the darkest paths it had encountered in its history. He undertook to defend its honor at home and abroad, and every pledge that he made he has kept to the very letter. If you approve of what he has done for our finance, if you approve of his placing the flag where it never stood before, then stand by him in the future as you have in the past. I speak to you as Americans, and I ask you to stand with me when I tell the guest of the evening that New York stands to-day where it did four years ago. It stands behind President McKinley, as he works for the honorable solution of the problems that confront us abroad, so that our flag will i»e the symbol of honesty wherever it floats. Following the dinner the President held an informal reception for about fifteen minutes and then retired.