The San Francisco call., 1899-07-23
THE FAMILY OF NATIONS.


certain obligations as a member OF the family OF
nations, and that these require that we act IN
matters external by using all the powers which belong
to any sovereignty.
The objection to this view is that ignores the char
acter and purposes of Government 1t throws
away the good example Of exact justice and stIlct
national morality which it has been our mission and
policy to show the world When we began govern
ent under the constitution found that every oher
sovereignty in the family of nations claimed aosolue
ownership of its people, its subjects, ana oeed u
them the right off that ownership ana transfer
themselves to the ownership citizenship OF any
other sovereignty necessary doctrine to the exist
ence OF the divine right OF kings "Once sub
iect always subject" The sovereign could sell the
allegiance of the subject another, but the subject
himself could not forswear transfer It Along
with this went the doctrine that might makes rght-'
Under this the stronger sovereignty could, by cause
less invasion and conquest, torclbly seize the ae-
glance and ownership of the subjects OF the weaker
and the church absolved them from any sin IN submit
ting to their new owner who had the divine right to
take them If he could
Our first great international action rose in denial
Of this doctrine that might makes right and that gov
ernments own and can deny them the right OF
expariaon and the privilege OF choosing their domi-
cile Persstenty for more than fifty years pressed
ce but our own birthrght OF free citizenship to the
thrals born under the European system We Tough;
the war OF 1912 mostly in vndication OF that right
and in the Martin Kozsta affair declared our wiling
ness to make war on all Europe in defense OF single
naturalzed citizen
We have in sentiment always denied the right OF
England to hold the Irish by conquest and voice the
protest of Ireland against centuries OF subJecon
to an alien power
We have in like manner decred the butchery OF Po-
land and our literature and politics full OF depre-
cation OF the crime by which she mutlated like
carcass hacked for hounds by the powers around her
because she was weak and they strong. We were
in full sympathy with France when Germany parti-
toned her by conquest and lamented that the victor
did not satisfy herself with the great money indemnity
exacted rather than assert the old doctrine OF the
transfer OF allegiance by conquest. In all OF our
treaties acquiring Louisiana, Florida and what we
took from Mexico we consistently abided by this po
sition and offered the subjects of France and Spain
and the citizens OF Mexico brthright OF citizen
ship or the full protection OF all their rights if they
chose to depart and go the flag under which they
had been subjects.
1t was this position which made this republic the
hope of the oppressed and brought to shores the
reedom-seekers of every nation. We were in the fam
lily OF nations republic denying every monarchical
theory which tSttered OF
OF man to self-government and the privilege to seek
its establishment on the soil that bore him, depart
to its enjoyment where it already administered.
It will be seen that imperialism abandons this
wholesome principle so necessary the continuance
of liberty! And it will be seen, also, that position
in the Philippines is aggravated and radical asser
ton OF the ownership of man by sovereignty and
the right to dispose OF his allegiance without consult
ing his wishes!
Therefore when told that are under obi
cations to the family of nations which require inn
perial policy it is the equivalent OF saying that
not permitted any longer to appear in that family
republic, the friend and promoter of freedom, but
must in that association recognize the thin imperial
principles OF divine right; that might makes right and
man has no personal control OF his civil allegiance,
but is rebel if he refuses to be sold to submit to
conquest.
We have reversed ourselves. and have in year
admitted all that we have denied since issued the
Declaration OF Independence.