The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-20

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this administration for political or
party purposes 1t alone is responsible
for results and should receive as it has
thus far, ready and willing support
from all parties. The subject affects
TOO vitality the future of this republic
to be made a political, party question.
All the people, regardless Of party af-
fliations, are vitality interested in the
results, and while I have said that it
may or may not, as each member must
decide for himself, be eXpedient to be
committed for the future see no rea-
son why we are not all at liberty to
consider the past.
Now, assuming, without stopping to
assent to or deny that the war with
Spain was inevitable, every one viii
agree that it was declared for a special
purpose, under grave and authorita-
tive proclamation and pledge Of the ma
tons faith and honor. 1t was to be
war, not for territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT
but for humanity, to protect the prop
erty and lives of Cubans from further
onslaught and murder which the Span
iards were carrying ON against the in
surgents under the guise, preteXt and
name of war. And in order that the
position of our government might re-
main undisputable and undisputed
congress declared what the purpose Of
the war was to be, so far as we were
concerned, IN ltle following ClGdIs us
tinct and unequivocal terms.
" The United States hereby disclaims
any disposition or intention to exercise
I sovereignty jurisdiction or control over
| said island, except for the pacifcation
| thereof. and asserts it's determination
when that is accomplished to leave the
| government and control of the island
to the people.
And what was true of Cuba was
I "a he lt4
lation to all other Spanish possessions
The war was not then in any event to
be war for conquest. plunder or an
/ neXatiOn, but simply that Cuba could
be free
Now if this was the purpose of the
war sOlemnly declared, when was that
| purpose changed? After the war was
ended and terms of peace by treaty
/ We're to be agreed upon we find the adj
/ miniStratiOn demanding that the Phil
ippine islands should be ueded to US
upon the payment of twenty millions
of money. / ask upon what theory or
principle of war or peace is this de-
mand made? Do we demand these isl
ands as an indemnity for cost and ex-
pense Of treasure in freeing Cuba? II
So why do we not say so. Who has fixed
upon a fair and just amount Of In
demnity for our loss and cost? Why
do we throw in the sum of twenty mil
lion dollars rather than ten millions or
forty millions? What is the twenty
million dollars for?
rs it the amount we have fixed as a
fair compensation for what Spain has
expended upon public works in the
Philippine Islands? And if so, what
does Spain say about it? And even II
1t has been ascertatned that 1t IS q
fair amount for the money expended
why should Spain be paid for her pub
&c
ands themselves? Both were hers, and
are not the islands as dear to her as
the improvements upon the ISLANDS
Again. if we are to take those islands
in any event, why pay anything 10
I Spain?
Upon what principle OF equity OF
Justice do we determine that they small
accept this amount? Aguinaldo. the IN
surgent leader, asserts that Spain has
lost her sovereignty, and If anything
is 10 be paid it should be paid 10 the
PHILIPPINES.
cor is il because Germany has lien
upon the islands for money advanced
to Spain and we are soleltous lest un-
4 pleasant controversy may arise as to q
real or imagined cloud that may exist
unon the title Of our newly found an
/ nexo 1t occurs to me that this arbl-
trarv demanding Of the Philippines par
takes neither Of the fairness nor honor
of a contract, where have always I'M
derstood that two parties must agree
nor of the courage or boldnesS OF pun
der by right of conquest
ct took occasion a few months since
to saw that I believed this government
should hold Porto Rico and any otnef
/ islands she chose until Spain fully IN
Identified us and rot a minute longer
The Boston Herald vas klnd enough
to note my position, but 70 adc that II
tNHYrf 6 n
| effect. I have a high regard Tor the
Boston Herald and read it more ire
ouently perhaps than any other paper
! published in Boston, yet despite lhe
/ Herald's suggestion of the indefinite
ness of my position, ] have not yet
seen any good reason to change my
views then stated, although the Herald
has changed its POSITION ana views
most radically upon the entire question
! of annexation ] see no reason why
! Spain should not indemnify us for our
! loss. and il Porto Rico and the Phil
! ippines are only a proper and equitable
| indemnity and no other win be made
! by Spain, then 1 DO not see why we
| are not justified in taking them.
But my query is, # this is the tact,
| why do we not say 50 and put the de-
mand upon that ground? What has
! been the approximate loss and COST TO
i us and What the approximate value OF
! Porto Rico and the Philippines?
1 Are we alone to determine each OF
/ these questions and permit Spain TO
! have no share in the computation? Bu5
are we really taking them for this pur-
pose? Who knows but in the near fu-
| ture, under one pretext or another, We
shall conclude to have Cuba and so take
| it? In fact, would it be any guar
antee that we will not take it, in view
| of our recent declarations relative to
the purpose of the war if we should de-
| clare that we did not ever intend to?
Who would believe us? We made sim
! liar declarations relative to Spanish
| possessions at the beginning OF the
war, only to violate them thus early.
q have referred TO these matters
! chiefly for the purpose of showing the
! Inconsistency, insinceritT and duph-
4 city of our position. / have not re-
| ferred to the constitutionality Of the act
of taking the Philippines and whether
| they are to be held by US as a colony
or a territory or for sale
/ ct have not alluded to the immortal
| principle incorporated into our consti-
J tuition that our republican form of gov
eminent rests upon the consent of the
| governed. I have not referred to what
/ effect the taking of the Philippines will
! have upon the wage earners and labor
/ interests of this country, when there
J will be unskilled and ignorant labor in
vast quantities coming into competition
with our skilled and intelligent labor.
Neither have I alluded to the effect
this taking will have upon the business
interests of this nation, whether 1t be
established upon the open door or
| golden gate theory.
What I now do object to is the APP
parent inslncerity and hypocrisy Of our
position at the present time in demand
! ing these islands in the way we have
! as compared with the purposes declared
w. A. England's extensive jewelry
, establishment was crowded all day yes
terday ana eveniDs<Eith Christmas buy