"He referred to the right to keep and bear arms, the right of free speech..."

JUDGE GRANT

Addressed the League.

Interesting Talk on "The
Present Crisis."

Those Present Stirred
by His Remarks.

"Expansion" Was Discussed
by Judge J. A. Kohler.

He Will 'Not Follow Course Mapped
Out by Politicians

   At the regular meeting of the Economic League Tuesday night the members were entertained by the discussion of the topic, "The Present Crisis." The discussion was opened by Judge C.R. Grant, who delivered one of the best addresses ever given before the League.

   Judge Grant took the ground that the policy of the present administration, which is to be ratified by Congress, is to govern the dependencies outside the limitations of the constitution and to deny them the rights provided for in the constitution and its amendments. He referred to the right to keep and bear arms, the right of free speech, free and peaceful assemblage and the right of representation. He pointed out that this policy includes precisely the same principles and in almost the same language, as the circular sent out by the sovereigns of Europe, who constituted the Holy Alliance of Laybach and which conference was the immediate cause of the Monroe doctrine. He claimed that the United States is now committed to a policy to guard against which the Monroe policy was adopted. The underlying cause of this, he believes, is the spirit of commercialism which has been growing over since the Civil War. This spirit has crucified the gospel of humanity and is ready to turn the provinces into deserts for the sake of increasing the dividends on schemes of exploitation. The cant and hypocrisy about the United States being the trustee of the world's civilization and the like are nothing more than the "pandering to the moral element." The money given for the endowment of charities, colleges and libraries generally means nothing more than the giving back of that which has been taken from the people at large under some one of the various schemes of spoilation and for the purpose of quieting the public conscience and stifling its sense of right. The robbery is still going on. The same parting of ways faced us in 1861. Fortunately then the enthusiasm of humanity prevailed over greed. He predicted that it will require some great national emergency to bring back the people to a sense of national integrity and that it will take only a few years of the present spirit of exploitation to bring about this condition. He said that he confidently looked to see the nation roused from its sleep in the lap of Delilah, clothed in its right mind, and ready to battle for the human race instead of plundering it.

   At the conclusion of Judge Grant's address, N. Chalker presented a motion that a vote of thanks be tendered the Judge for the excellent manner in which he had presented the subject to the league. The vote was enthusiastically given....

[Akron Daily Democrat, Akron, Ohio, Wednesday Evening, February 28, 1900. Volume Eight. Number 269 Pg. 4]