The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-02
FULL OF DANGER.
Senator George f. HOar Fears
the United States
Is About to Become Like Other
Nations Of the Earth.
SAYS WE MUST LEAD
And Not Follow England or Any
body Else.
Sounds a Warming Note About
the Senate's Power.
SAYS WE MUST LEAD

~S O~A~@N~ = - ~
Worcester Mass, NOVA large and
enthusiastic audience greeted Senator
George F. Hoar, Congressman William
H. Moody and Speaker John L. Bates
in Mechanics hall last night. Three
hundred Republican leaders occupied
seats upon the platform with the speak
ers. Senator Hoar presided and was the
principal speaker.
After making reference to local issues
IN the campaign, Senator Hoar said:
This year has been crowded with
history and crowded with glory. 1t is
also to my mind, crowded with danger.
The flag of SPAIN formerly the proud
est power on earth since the day of the
Roman empire, has gone down in dark
ness and in blood before the victorious
navy and army of the United States.
The flag of the United States has arisen
in the eastern sky like a new constella-
ton. Let US not accept the duties and
responsibilities Of this victory in any
temper of vulgar glory, still less of a
vulgar greed of power or gain. The
United States came to these oppressed
people, east and west, as a great de-
nverer. To deal with this great Occa-
sion by talking about coaling stations
and trade advantages degrades and be-
Titles it. We have not overthrow
Spain, we have not periled the precious
lives of our sons, that we may add to
our possessions, or that we may make
money out of our new relations.
But yet the first duty of the Ameri-
can people is to themselves, and when
I say this, say it in no spirit of sell
dshness or of indifference to the welfare
of mankind.
ION the contrary I believe that the
highest service the American people can
render to mankind and to liberty is to
preserve unstained and unchanged the
republic as it came to US from the faith
ers. It is by example and not by guns
or by bayOnets that the great work of
America for humanity is to be accom-
plished. And in my opinion we are to-
day in great danger-a greater danger
than we have encountered since the Pill
grims landed at Plymouth. The dan
ger is that we are to be transformed
from a republic, founded on the declara-
ton Of Independence, guided by, the
councils of Washington, into vulgar,
commonplace empire, founded upon
physical force.
Il for one, am not dazzled by the ex-
ample of England. The institutions of
England have enabled her to govern
successfully distant colonies and SUBJ
jects- The United States are founded,
as Mr.. Gladstone pointed out, on the
doctrine of equality. If we are to out
strip England in national power it
must be by pursuing our own path and
not by following in hers.
1T as said that Porto Rico is already
ours. 1t may be that Porto Rico is to
become ours. But there is now no auth
Ority under the constitution of the Uni
ted States to acquire any foreign terri
tory, save by treaty approved by the
senate, by a tWo-thirds vote, or by an
act of legislation in which the president,
the house of representatives and the
senate must unite
1T is said that the Philippine islands
are already ours by the right of con-
quest. For one, deny this alleged right
of conquest. Human beings-men, WO-
men, children, peOple-are not to be won
as spells of war or prizes in battle It
may be that such a doctrine finds place
in the ancient and barbarOus laws OF
war, but it has no place under the
American constitution. 1t has no place
in the code Of morals of the people Of
the United States. I have stated else-
where the conditions which in my judg-
ment warranted the acquisition of Ha-
wall Hawaii came to us with the con-
only government capable OF main
tanning itself there for any consid-
cradle length of time. In the case of
the Philippines we are asked to subject
nation and hold it in subsection We
set them by conquest and mold them by
force. In the case of the Hawaiian is
with their lawful government.
Some of our good friends have said
IhoughtIeSsly in their zeal that where
the American flag floats it must stay.
But surely they cannot wish to commit
the country to that doctrine we
planted it in the City of Mexico Rut
no man demanded that it should stay
there If the war goes on we shall
plant it on the coast of Spain, bue we
nave no desire to hold permanent do
minfOn there.
IF the Philippine islands become
ours, then under the late decision of the
supreme court every child herea fter
born in them becomes an American cftI-
zen, free to come and free to go. Are
you going to hold them as Subjects
Are you going to have a trained ana
governing class? Are you going to have
the nauonal tax gatherer the most fire.
quent and best known visitant to every
American house? Are you going to in
crease many fold your national debt?
Ihese things are involved in this
wild and impassiOned cry for emDire.
For myself, I disbelieve and hate fba
notion that the American people are to
submit to such transformation
Congressman Moody assured his hear
ers that the management Of the war
would be thoroughly investigated at the
coming session of congress and if blame
We're found no officials would be spared.
high or low.