Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1898-07-08

dence? The two islands are side by
side. and their populations are sub
stantially the same. A victory over
Spain can not take from the people
Of Porto Rico the rights which we
have called 'inalienable.' Why
should Cuba, with it's 100000 of
people, have a right to freedom and
self-go yernment, and the 100000 OF
people who dwell in the PHILIPPINE
Islands be denied the same right?
How can we justify the annexation OF
Hawaii, whose people outside the
small fraction now kept in power by
us, are notoriously opposed to it?
Across the path Of our proposed ag-
gression blaze rot only the words of
Washington and Lincoln and all the
great founders and preservers of our
Government, but our own declaration
not two months old, and last of all
the great commandment, Thou shalt
not steal .' 49,
"But it is said that there is a war
necessity, or that we need indemnity.
Can we exact our expenses from the
enslaved people Whom we interfered
to help? Is Porto Rico more indebt-
ed to us than Cuba? Is the comman-
dent Thou shalt not steal qualified
by the prOviso unless it is necessary?
Necessity is the tyrant's plea. It is
merely the will to take which is thus
disguised. No necessity can justify
US in disregarding the rights of
others, especialI, weaker nation.
Nothing can wipe from our flag the
disgrace if it floats over any but a
FREQ people. 1t should be enough
that, if we adopt the policy of con-
quest, we are false to our principles
and false to our express promises.
"But the case does not end here
We not only abandon the b)asted
Monroe doctrine upon which, with it's
recent extensions, we were insisting
few years ago. We not only dis.
regard that wise policy of our uon-
intervention in European troubles
which Washington preached, and
which until now we have followed.
We become Il military power, bur
dened with d standing army and ar
enormous navy, threatened with COM
plications thousands Of miles away,
and exposed to constant apprehen-
sions. We take up the bur lie n which
is crushing Europe.
"Our domestic difficulties will be
neglected, for our attention will be
divided. Our taxation must increase,
our currency become more disorder
ed, and, worse than all, the corrup-
ton which threatens US can not fail
to spread. When we undertake to
govern subject peoples separated
from us by half the world, let US re-
member how we despoiled the indians
at our doors and how impossible it
has been to keep that service pure.
Let us not forget the carpet.bag gov
eminent Of our own Southern bro
theirs, whose complaints fell on deaf
ears. though they spoke our language
and wc heard them every day. What
think you shall we hear Of wrong in
Manila orthe Ladrones, and how can
we reform abuses the:e? Such a sys-
tenn meansgreat increase otwealth and
fresh fields for corruption. 1t means
the growth Of class little accustom-
ed to respect the rights of their in q.
feriors. 1t means the epoils system
enormously extended. 1t means not
only imperialism abroad, but imperi-
alism at home. When Rome began
her career Of conquest, the Roman
republic began co decay. The spoiIs
OF the provinces debauched the Sen
ate and the people, and the govern
ment which conquered Hannibal fell
at the touch of (heaarn