The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-15
THE ANXIETY OF col. BRYAN.

i am IN faVor or the Maine law, out OPP
posed to its enforcement" was the declara-
ton of d military hero known as Ensign
Stebbins. Another man. whose military
fame has come to maturity. declares: Il
would vote for the Spanish treaty, but will
fight what its ratification brings" This
means that Colonel Bryan would oppose the
ratification of the treaty if he dared, but
nc does not dare, and so will fight any policy
hereafter that follows the treaty as nat
ural result To ratify the treaty is to accept
the Philippines. Thus accepting, we shall
be under obligation to the world to that
they have better government than they
have had under Spain. To this Colonel
Bryan seems to vehemently object. He is
opposed to a colonial policy for the United
States. 1t is SO easy to be prophet of calam-
ity that Colonel Bryan sees in the governing
of a few millions of more less civilized
people as colonies the sure downfall of the
Republic. In passing it may be remarked
that many good and few great men, in sea-
downfall of the Republic many times during
the past one hundred years. but the Repub-
lie, not needing such prophets was never APP
parently in so sound health as it is to-day.
1t is so vigorous that the government of a
few millions of undeveloped people cannot
affect it's greatness, its sturdiness nor its
honor. The truth is Colonel Bryan is not
acquainted with the Republic.
Abraham Lincoln once said: THE United
States cannot remain half free and half
slave" which leads Colonel Bryan to say
hat oo I,oIf ,x,;t
popular and half a part with colonial
government. 1t is unfortunate for d man
of such an intellectual outfit as Mr.. Bryan's
friends claim for him that he cannot see the
difference between the condition of slavery
and that of a colonial government which
secures to the people of any locality much
of self-government they able TO eXer-
else consistent with the safety of life and
property. Fortunately most other Amer
leans can see a wide difference between slav-.
cry and self-government.
Colonel Bryan makes an observation about
the wickedness of governing people without
their consent. 1t is, it is true, not an ideal
proceeding, but when dealing with peoples
who are not ideals the thing best suited to
their conditions must be adopted. With this
theory of government by the consent of the
governed before us, have not applied it
to the Indians. Jefferson did not apply it
to the early settlers of the Territory of In
diana. We have held New Mexico in es-
sentally a colonial relation since 1859. We
did not obtain the consent of the Alaskans
when we purchased that country, and we are
governing them to-day as it seems to the
administration and Congress to be best for
them and the United States. 1t is much bet
ter than If they were left to themselves. 1t
is proposed to govern Hawaii without the
consent of all the governed, because the
majority of its people do not know what
is best for them in the way of government
1t is probable that we shall be able to ascer-
tain what is a safe and liberal government
for the jewellers of the Philippines in due
season
In conclusion, the Journal calls the atten-
ton of Colonel Bryan and those who share
his anxiety regarding the future of the Re-
public about 1.-The consent of the governed"
to the case of Mississippi. The colored men
were a majority of those to be governed in
that State. They were voters, but those
claiming the intelligence and owning most
the property objected to the government
of the majority, SO they called constitu-
tionAl convention, adopted constitution
dsfranchising the colored majority and put
it in force without the consent of the ma
jority, who were deprived of any voice in
the government. There are two other States
which have pursued the same policy with
reference to the majority of the governed.
Possibly Colonel Bryan has not heard CT
these cases. Because the consent of the
majority of the governed in the three States
referred to has been ignored, Mr. Bryan IS
sure that their electoral votes will be for
him should he be presidential candidate
in 1909.