Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-06-30
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
THURSDAY, JUNE so, 1898.
WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THEM ?


There can be no denial that the Ameri-
can people are united in determination
to drive Spain from control of all her pos
sessions in the West Indies. 1t is also
plainly their purpose to never surrender
the Philippines to Spain if we once take
them into possession. The United States
went to war reluctantly for the purpose OF
freeing Cuba from Spanish oppression;
and in the effort to accomplish that end
finds it necessary to take possession of the
Philippines and also of Porto Rico. The
war has been in progress less than two
months and the American flag floats
bravely on Cuban soil and triumphantly
at Manila bay. Without the war isspeedily
concluded, by SPAN suing for peace, it will
be but short while before the United
States army and navy will attack and take
San Juan. If the plans Of the Govern
ment are carried out and we do get
control of all the colonial possessions OF,
Spain, the question will have to be deter
mined ''what will we do with them?"
Shall they be turned over to Spain again
that it NAV continue the barbarouS treat
ment of the inhabitants which has pro-
voked this dreadful war? Or shall they
be disposed of IN such manner as I'M
friendly European monarchies may die
tate? Shall they be placed under the
management of the inhabitants for self
government until it shall be determined
whether they are capable of managing
their affairs? Or will the United States
annex them as territory acquired by right
of conquest?
If we succeed in whipping Spain these
questions will Immediately present them
selves and will have to be settled. How
they shall be determined will have to re-
main unsettled until the war is concluded
and our Government is completely trlum-
plant.
Certain politicians in the Democratic
party are already beginning their efforts
to make the question political one.
They pretend to believe that the an
nonnced purpose Of our Government
never to permit Spain to rule her colonies
again, and not to submit to European die
tation as to what shall be done III the
premises is proof of IMPERIALISM" on the
part of the Mckinley administration and
the Republican party. These politicians
(among, them Mr.. Bryan and MIR, Cleve-
land) are little premature. What we
will do with the Philippines cannot now
be considered as a question for specific
settlement. When the emergency arises
the Republican party, if in power, will
bravely meet the issue and determine the
question with its usual good sense and pa
triotism. So far as the annexation OF new
territory is concerned when it Is good
II - .....o.- - I'LL ,,o% hesitate RI do
so. This it is nov endeavoring to do in
the case of Hawaii. Some of the Demo
Gratis affect to believe that 1t is contrary to
the traditions of our government and
wrong in principle to annex or acquire
new outlying territory. Both as matter
of principle and policy the Democrats are
greatly divided in the matter. Some OF
the most influential papers that stood by
Mr.. Cleveland through all his political
trials have already announced themselves
favorable to what he calls "Imperialism;"
and some of the most powerful free coin
age newspapers that champiOned the cause
of MIR. Bryan have taken their stand for
holding the Philippines by right of con-
quest.
The Republican party will be solidily
for policy that will be right ane for the
best interests of our country. When the
time comes that party will settle the vexed
question in way that the great mass OF
the people will endorse.