Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-12-30
SHALL THE TREATY BE RArlFlEp9


The crisis In the history of the Amer
lean republic, which decides whether it
shall continue as beacon light for |
Liberty and Freedom, or, putting out
these fires, join the monarchical and arts
tocratic nations of the world In blazOn-
ing the path to empire, comes most |
rapidly upon us.
With the question of the ratification of
the treaty with Spain by the senate is
indissolubly connected a far greater
question, whether the great American
republic shall continue or not. For it is |
the most infinite folly to suppose that
the republic can live when its principles |
have been abandoned. 1t was Lincoln. |
we believe, that said the country could !
not continue half slave and half free.
This was true. The unavoidable con-
test between the two conditions finally
came and was decided for Freedom. Lit
tie did we then think that within a few
short years the republic would be at
tackled, and its existence threatened, by
far more insidious, and hence far more
dang erous enemy, lust for power.
1t is no more true that this republic
could not remain half slave and half
free, than that it cannot continue half
free and half vassal. The source of
the republics strength is shown in
the declaration upon which it was
founded, that governments insti-
tuted among men derive their just
powers from the consent of the gov
erned. Does any one suppose we could
have passed successfully through our
civil war, unsustained by that immutable
principle of right and justice? Because
we believed in a republic was the re-
public saved.
But it is said it will not do to fail to
ratify the treaty of peace. That depends
entirely upon what treaty of peace we
are asked to ratfy. 1t would not do to
ratify any treaty of peace that under
took to hold the Philippines in subiuga-
tIon, no matter with what sugared
phrase the attempt was covered. Any
treaty which does not recognize the
political rights of the eight or ten mil
lions of people inhabiting and owning
the territory in question, ought not to be
ratified. The time to meet any such
attempted course of conquest is at its
inception. 1t is the only time when 1t
can be met successfully. When the
administration learns that the senate will
not ratify treaty which not only over
looks but undertakes to destroy the
fundamental principles upon which our
government is founded, 1t will cease to
undertake to force it, but will be content
with one which the ratfying body is
able to accept-One that will acknowledge
the right of the people inhabiting these
islands to choose the government they
desire, and see that those wishes are
respected. OF course this does not
mean a recognition of any right of Spain
to this territory, but 1t does mean a
distinct statement that we make no
claim to any rights over the territory
ourselves, and interfere only to enable
the inhabitants to choose and establish
such form of government as they desire.
In doing this we might afford to donate
500, 100000. We certainly cannot afford
to give that sum and not do this. AS we
have entered the field of knight errantry
we might as we'll play out the role and
J settle the bills.
The fight for the Republic is on. The
citadel is the senate, where two-thirds
vote is needed for the passage of any
treaty. Let every Vermonter strength
en- his senator's hands TO meet the fight
successfully. Let New England every
where do the same. The thing to do
now is to save ourselves, not others.
In Justice to our principles, we cannot
afford to take the Philippines except as
we shall make them an equal part OF
the republic This for prudential reasons
we cannot afford to do; waving the ques.
ton of distance, they are not fitted for
/ statehood and never can be. There.
fore as conditions are, their independence
must be recognized.