The San Francisco call., 1899-10-18

soldiers and brave Filipino patriots have died
and are dying. And when shall we see the
end of William McKinley's war?
Hon. Whitelaw Reid, Senator Davis and Sen
ator Frye. three of the five commissioners who
made the treaty with Spain, have defended it
heartily on the ground of pecunary and COM
mercial advantages likely to result to the
United States from our possession of the Phil
lpplnes. The welfare of the Filpinos has not
occupied prominent place in their thoughts.
Not destiny and duty, but dollars, put into
Mlllionaires aud syndicates will secure any
small gains which could just as easily be OBJ
tanned without enforcing our sovereignty. Mil
honaires and syndicates virtually saying to
our common soldiers:
You stop the bullets and we'll do the rest"
The proclamation issued at the beginning of
April by the American Commissioners to the
philippines declared that hostlities had broken
OUT m because OF the pure aims and purposes Of
the American Government and people" had
been mislnterpreted'' If this means that the
Filiplnos misunderstood the Presidents pre-
IT; that was the trouble, and I challenge any
body to understand 1t differently.
j. Sterling Morton presided at the even
ing session and upon introducing Carl
Schurz, who delivered the address of the
evening, spoke as follows:
After 1900 years of Christianity intellectual
growth and of a constantly improving civilza-
tion, in which the tender kindness and loving
teachings of the gentle Nazarene have been
thrown like light into the uttermost parts of
the EARTH we witness the most phenomenal
paradox in government which the race has eyer
experienced. The Government of Russia a
government with the largest standing army in
the world declares for disarmament and pro-
poses universal peace. But the great republic
Of the United States, founded by Washington
Franklin Jefferson and their compatriots de-
clares for war conquest subjugation and an
nexation. Russia would be the peacemaker
the United States the warmaker. In all history
there is not another striking and inexplic-
able antithess.
Mr.. SchurZ, in his speech, said:
confidently trust that the American people
will prove themselves too clear-headed not to
appreciate the vital difference between the ex-
pansion of the republic and its free institu-
tions over contiguous territory and kindred
populations, which all gladly welcome If
accomplished peaceaby and hon6raby-and
Imperialism which reaches out for distan.
lands to be ruled subject provinces; too in
tellgent not to perceive that our very first
step the road of Imperialism has been a be-
trayal of the fundamental principles of de-
mccracy followed by disaster and disgrace;
too enlightened not to understand that mon
archy may do such things and still remain a
strong monarchy while a democracy cannot
do them and still remain a democracy; too
wise not TO detect the false pride or the
dangerous ambitions the selfish schemes
which often hide themselves under that de-
ceptive cry of mock patriotism: "Our country,
right or wrong" They will not fail to recog-
nize that our dignity. free institutions and
the peace and welfare of this and coming
generations of Americans will be secure only
as we cling to the watchword of true patriot
ism: Our country-when right to be kept
right; when wrong to be put right"