The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-16
INDEFINITE OPPOSITION.

Mr.. Bryan, as the lawgiver of the Demo-
cratic party to-day, has lost no time in de-
clariDg against the general policy Of an
nexation He does not want the earth, and
he does not want the Philippines to become
a part of the United States There are many
who will agree with him. Indscriminate
expansion, or an earth-hunger. which covets
land regardless of location and occupation,
would be misfortune We cannot make
citizens of such peoples as dwell on the Phil
ippines. The mingling OF races naturally an
tagonistic is shown to be incompat ible in
the case of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
The Philippines, however, are sure to be in
our possession as the result of war. After
Admiral Dewey's success in that quarter Of
the world there was no alternative left us
but to take temporary charge of the coun-
try. In the adjustment of the results of the
war nearly every reason which led to
make war in behalf of Cuba holds in regard
to the Philippines. Spanish rule is a system
Of oppression and injustice in colonies. It is
as much so in Manila as in Havana This
being the case, now that we have the mat
ter in hand, when we are through with
Spain it must not have colony to Cypress
Taking away from Spain her colonies
does not, of necessity, involve annexation
by the United States. Nor would we be war
ranted in taking them from Spain and leav-
ing them to themselves when the war is
over. Neither can we permit them to fall
into the control of other countries. Both of
these evils are involved in the nonannexa-
ton and noninterference policy announced
by Mr.. Bryan. If the inhabitants of the
Philippines are to have an independent gov
eminent it is the duty of the United States
to insure it to them; more than that, it is
the moral duty of this government
to instruct the inhabitants of those
nothing more of government than
the violence and outrage of Spain,
years may be required to prepare
these people to sustain a government of
their own. The same is true of Cuba To
drive out the Spanish is only part of our
duty We must see that the people of that
island have a stable government republican
in form. Now that it appears that the al
legged republic of Cuba is a republic only in
good government in Cuba than we have
imagined it would. 1t would be worse than
Spanish rule to leave the people of the late
Spanish colonies to become Central Ameri-
cas-. AS a leader in the worlds civilization
the United States cannot be instrumental
in causing the people of any territory to re-
lapse into condition of barbarism.
If Mr.. Bryan goes to Manila he will come
under the command of General Merritt
whose recent words regarding national ag-
grandizement have attracted wide attention.
If not an advanced Democrat, General Mer-
rift is known to be in sympathy with the
old leaders of that party. The military gov
ernor of the Philippines and his distin-
guished subordinate may be able to devise
a plan for the better government of such
colonies, which may be made the policy of
the Democratic party. 1t would be novelty
for the leaders of that party to have a pol
icy other than mere objection to the poll
cieS of their onn0Oeptc