The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-24
THE TIMES: RICHMOND. VA SATURDAY. DECEMBER

the law Of nations. which enjoins upon
every nation tho observance OF justice
and equity In it's dealing with other ma
tons, and denounces. as vicious. actions
suggested by tie violence OF the pas
siOns--Dy the arrogant desire Of COM
mand, the ostentation of power. the
thirst of riches. the avidity OF conquest,
hatred and revenge The admirable
Vatte further admonishes the conouer-
or that he should eyer bear in mind that
the doing of harm to an enemy Is no
further authorized by the law OF nature
than In the precise degree which Is no
cessary for justifable self defense, and
reasonable security for the time 10 come.
What peculiar rights or interests OF tho
people OF the United States were there.
that could be in any manner affected or
endangered by SPANS continued domin-
ion in the Philippines How could the
the defense and safety OF the United
States be I'm any degree promoted by
the possession OF those remote Islands?
What motives. then, impe those who
clamor for holding on to the Philippines?
Whatever reservations may be justly
made in favor If our amiable AMI be-
nevOent President do we not find the
motives OF the great bulk OF his fol-
lowers correctly characterized IN the
above extract from Vattel. 1.-The arro-
CANT desire Of command. the ostentation
OF power. the thirst Of riches, the avidity
Of conquest?
Humantarianism is. indeed. put forth
as a reason for holding on TO the islands.
In the progress Of the war. II g. said.
these islands have fallen into our hands.
AMI hums nifty requires Us 10 hold them
and give their benighted inhabitants the
blessings of our benign institutions. IN
vain may they protest against our be-
nignant purposes in vain may they as
sert that they want none Of our humani-
tartan expectations over there Possibly
they have heard something OF the fate
Of the poor Indians amongst ms. and IL
may be that the lesson taught by the
famous fable Of the wolf and the LAMB.
or Of the spider and the fly ha@p'Te-
tratel their brains, "The flag has been
hoisted there. and who will pull Il down.
asks the President. Because II was
hoisted there I'm the prosecution of a le-
climate object. that has been accom-
phshed Il must stay there: because there
IS no one to make us afraid TO keep II
there,
As 10 the protests OF the natives. why.
they know not what is Tor their own
good We are embarked I'm the great and
ennobing enterprises Of broad ana
Astounding philanthropy, especially TOR
and i'm the interests Of peoples who are
TOO weak to resist our loving embraces
and whose commerce may minister to our
cravings for wealth and empire, glory
and renown
our desire 10 do them good shall rot
be frustrated by their insane protests.
we must set over them military satraps
after the fashion Of England IN india.
and keep huge standing armies and mag
nifcent naHes among them, and whip
and keep whipping them as dis
tinguished general Is reported 20 nave
lately said. until they learn 20 appreciate
and be grateful for our goot insiitu-
lions and Offices An, Humanity, what
crimes are committed I'm thy name, What
outrages are sought to be covefe1 py
thv cloak
''Who will pull II DOWN. The Fresi-
dent of the United states. by whose COM
rnand III was hoisted. is the party by
whose command II should be taken oo"h.
He was authorized to have II hoisted
o,,l,, as q means TO an end. That end
achieved. the authority 20 keep II there
ceases The declaratory resolutions or
Congress prescribed. authoritatively, the
object to be attained by the war The
President has no right 10 20 beyond tnat
object. no right 20 indulge in any schemes
Of conquest or Of a supposed philan-
thropy. This would be a clever peryersion
of the power with which he was inirus,-
ed.
The proposed treaty IS, then. IN inc
respect adverted to. violauye Of the reso-
lutions of Congress. violative Of the laws
Of nations. ultra wires and void. II Is
hoped that the Senate. IN the exercise OF
its constitutional prerogative will advise
and insist upon the elimination Of every
provision concerning the Philippines ana
save the country from entering upon
a career OF conquest and expansion so
perllous TO the liberties of the people. in
the admonitory language of tattei:
"Opulence and extent of dominion 90 not
always constitute the happiness of states.
The Roman republic ruined herself 10y
her triumphs-by the excess Of her con-
quests and power. Rome when mistress
OF the world but enslaved by tyrants and
Impressed by a military government. had
reason To deplore the success of her arms
and 10 look back with regret on those
happy times when her power did not ex-
tend beyond the bounds Of Italy, or even
wher her dominion was almost confined
within the circuit of her walls
W. b. PETIT
Palmyra, Va. Dec. 49, 1898.