The Irish standard., 1898-07-02
IMPERIAL POLICY OF CONQUEST.

For a country like the United States
which proclaims in its declaration Of in
dependence the dogma that govern
ments are instituted among men, deriv-
ing their just powers from the consent
Of the governed" it is strange to hear
so much said in favor of Selling SPAIN
colonial possessions and governing its
rebellious subjects from Washington.
We do not object very much TO the
acquisition of the Hawaiian islands as a
military outpost, but the fiat of congress
is not sufficient unless it is Endorsed by
a majority of the Inhabitants of the is
lands to he annexed. There should be
no compu!sion used in securing them,
and when secured the people should be
allowed to exercise self-government as
much as possible.
So far as Cuba is concerned, the Unit
ed States when declaring war against
Spain disclaimed any disposition or i'll
tention to exercise any control over it
except for its pacification. At some
future day the inhabitants of the island
may seek annexation with us, but until
they do so they ought to be permitted
and encouraged to govern themselves.
They may make failure of self-govern-
ment. but they are entitled to try the
experiment. They are as likely to sue
coed as the people of the South Amer
lean republics, whom they equal In in
telligence. We cannot ignore the pledge
we made in our declaration of war with
Spain.
AS regards Porto Rico, the Philippines
and other Pacific possessions of Spain,
VIC think it would be wrong for this re-
public to retain them for occupancy and
control after Spain has lost them. The
FilipinOs were in rebellion against the
mother country when Dewey entered
Manila harbor and destroyed the Span
ish fleet. 1t Is since his great victory
that the permanent occupation Of these
Oriental islands is under contemplation.
What shall be done with them after
Spain is whipped is question of far
reaching consequence. If we keep them
sacrifice OF REPUBLICAN principles and in
disregard of trc Monroe doctrine. Self
government is the inalienable right of
all men, whether they can govern them
selves we'll or i'll. Is ii right and prop.
er that the United States should hold
an imperial sway over the Monaghan
races OF the East? Decidedly no. What
then shall be done: Leave the country
in the hands OF the rebels? 1t is certain
they cannot govern themselves, and it
would take this country a long time to
teach them. Shall we sell the islands to
tho highest bidder among the European
nations? The highest bidder would
surely be England. for she is the
wcalthiest among the powers. and an
ENHANCEMENT with her European rivals
may grow out of the transfer to Great
Britain. Shall we hand them back to
Spain after all our trouble In gaining
possession of them? That would APP
pear ridiculous and would displease the
rebels who act with us as allies Any
way we look at the question, difficulties
and Inconsistencies present themselves.
Some of the ablest statesmen in all
parties are outspoken against an I'M
perial policy of conquest. Among the
Republicans are John Sherman and
Thomas b. Reed. Among the Democrats
are Grover Cleveland and William j.
Bryan. They believe that a republic
that holds to the Monroe doctrine, and
was willing to fight England to enforce
it, has no right to exercise sway over in
ferior races in the Eastern hemisphere,
especially as we cannot give them a
Democratic government, but one in di-
rect antagonism with the principles up
on which the founders of the republic
waged a successful war against Great
Britain. They believe that on a proper
solution of this important question de-
ponds the stability Of Republican in
situations. May God guide the nation
safely at this critical j,lncture.