New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-15
people will back up contest with the free Re
public OF America.
TOR HUMAN FREEDOM.

In an address M the laying OF the corner
stone OF the Pennsylvania Capitol bu'ldihg D"
"Wednesday Colonel Mcclure made some re-
marks which probably expressed Inc 'oh'ic-
tiops of many millions Of citizens. WIN rea-
son he dcplorod the scryility of many ntelli-
cent voters TO the dicatiOn Of party. so That inc
master becomes the servant. and illustrated his
own indoncndencc by discussing the so-cailed
imnerial tendencies Of the time in fashion
which must be shocking in the last degree TO
such Democratic leaders as Colonel Bryan ana
Senators Jones and White He treated az RI
dculous abe cry of imperialism heard in every
stage Of progress in the history Of the Repub-
lie which assailcd Jefferson when he acquire"
Louisiana. denounced the acquisition Of Flor
ida. predicted National discord and disln'egra-
",on when Pacific territory was acquired from
Mexico" This same cry. he said. was III
tended 10 halt this Nation in its subllmest un'y
and dearest destiny" War came because inc
sovereign citizens of The Nation demanded an
end OF Spanish barbarism. The same supreme
power will demand that ''thc United States nag
shall never I've furled in any Spanish province
where il has been planted by the heroism OF
"Our Army and Navy.
That This is Imperialism of the most abomina-
bic typc in tho eyes of the ''halting conserva-
lives" Colonel Mcclure fully comprehcnds. but
he declares that Il is not inspired by the lust OF
conquest, In his view "the highest and noblest
"imperialsm demands the extension Of our flag
land authority over the provinces of Spain
solely that government Of the people. by the
people and for the people shall not perish from
THE earth" This states The case all the more
accurately because il includes no prediction
what the form of future government shall ne
In Spanish provinces acquired. Government ny
the people iss not necessarily carried on ana
con, rolled 10y such local fragments of them rs
are not lit for that duty Government OF the
people is not that OF divinely crowned hcredi-
tary monarchs. nor yet of any arlstocrauc class.
nor yet Of the Academia! Majority at given
time in every locality; but such government as
the whole body of the Nation originates ami
supports for the benefit of all. Government Tor
the people does not mean government cxch-
svcly for the benefit Of those who may be quail
flied voters. but that equal rights and equal
laws shall protect all. from highest to lowest.
rs well those who are not as those who are MT
70 share the governing power
1t is the very essence Of American hostility
10 Spanish rule that il has ever been completely
regardless of the rights and interests, of the
will. of the people il has held in subjecion
The sure outcome of such rule IS harbarism
more or less complete. oppression of The many
for the benefit of the few, and cruelty because
oppression cannot exist without ii. America
has Witnessed for more than Il century the nj
ter incapacty of Spain 10 govern honestly or
decently the island close 10 it's shores. and by
that experience knows well enough how distant
islands not within reach of civilized opinion
have been governed Starting ont 10 stop Span
ish barbarsm in Cuba. this Nation was led. as
II by providential decree. 10 strike first at the
barbarsm which has long prevailed In the Phil
ippne Islands-a barbnrism more oppressive
and cruel and intOlerabe than that which Cuba
has resisted with much endurance and blood.
shed
1t il the logical outcome of this reasoning
that the United States cannot tolerate, in any
land whore its Government comes 10 have the
power 10 prevent il. the barbarsm which sac
rificcs all the rights OF the people and leaves
them no protection of equal and just laws.
That the flag once raised. shall never be furlrd
IS only the concrete expression Of the Nations
VIII that any other territory or people. once
coming legitimately within the power OF this
Nation, must become IFS wards for protection
forever against all government that is not for
the benefit Of the people TO he defended and
held against all other Powers in the name Of
human freedom. until it's people are prepared 10
establish and maintain a just stable and free
government for themselves.
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