The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-26

the equal right of all to life, liberty
law, limited only by such government
restriction as is necessary to enable men
to live together in peace; the freedom
of every man to worship his own Cod
after his own fashion,; unrestricted COM
mercial intercourse between the states:
peace with other countries, being rem
dered safe from attack by our over
Whelming strength increasing every dav
and hour, while that OF other nations
is relatively sinking from the crushing
burden OF militarism. 1t is these things
which have made US what we are.
'All these traditions we are asked to
give up and embark on new and un,
known career. One distinguished gen.
eral tells us we have outgrown the con-
stitution. What then is it we are grow
ing into? Is it military empire like
that of the first Napoleon? Or a royal
and aristocratic government like that of
England in. the eighteenth century? Or
a series of revolutions and military die
tators as in Central America? Gallant
officers like Capt. Dyer, of the navy. de-
clare that those who criticize the action
of the government should be effectively
suppressed or like Gen. Anderson, that
subordinate officers who have returned
from Manila and go about lecturing
against the war should be put in jail Is
the suppression of free speech a princi-
pie of the new government for which we
are expected to discard the old? A
Declaration of independence was 'the
most impudent fraud ever imposed upon
credulous mankind" 4" What are we to
substitute for it? Is it the doctrine that
men are divided into wholly unequal
classes? That all the good things of
life are to be reserved for high birth,
wealth and education, and that all other
are beasts of burden, whose duty and
happiness 1t should be to minister to the
wants of those above them?
I'VE are asked TO taKe'OlIr nlaca dn7ODcr
the nations, that is to give up our devo-
ton to the arts of peace, the development
and enjoyment OF tranquil lives with in
dividual liberty and Independence. and to
join the ranks Of those nations which are
eXhausting their resources in maintain
ing military caste, without occupation
slaughter, requiring implements more
costly than the most eXtravagant luxlI-
r1es of peace, and certain sooner or later
to entail that last of human calamities
military conscription.
THE MOMENTOUS QUESTION.
This is the question which the people
of the United States will have to decide
free silver or for gold, for free trade or a
high tariff, for Mckinley or for somebody
else; but far above all else their votes
will! determine whether they wish to re-
main free people, or become the practi-
cal slaves of political conspirators backed
by military force.
Little more than a year ego the nation
was plunged into a war with Spain,
which the people were made to believe
was one of humanity They did not un-
derstand that it would cause more suf-
fering than it would relieve; and that the
disaster to this country would involve
more of evil to us and all mankind than
centuries of Spanish rule in Cuba But
the politicians who controlled the govern
ment, instead of eXhauStfng peaceful eff
fort. stimulated the passions of the peo-
pie, hoping by a successful war to carry
the next election. Poor, old~Tatten Spain
was crushed like ali eggshell, but in
ed objects of the war were attained, the
same politicians bought the privilege of
involving the country in another war on
the other side of the globe. Having ac-
pelling the Spaniards from the Philip
pines, a people who, under at least an i'm
piled pledge from us of independence,
were ready and anxious to set up a gov
erEment for themselves, we calmly in
formed them that we had bought the SOW
erefgnty over them and proposed to eXer-
else it. The war for this purpose has
now lasted six months. We hold a small
district around Manila and are compelled
to suspend operations for at least three
months more. The CRY Is going up that
In December we must have an army large
enough to finish the work. Finish what
work? The conquest OF a people who are
fighting bravely for their liberties, with
far more justice than the Americans
fought against England IN 1176. 9re the
An ericans today prepared to maintain
the attitude of England then? To declare
to the world that in their elected presi-
dent, Mckinley, they have deliberately
.,et up a new George the Third, with Lord
North in the shape of Mr.. Hanna?
And suppose we do put down open re-
sistance. We can never stop the guerilla
warfare of revenge such as broke the
power of Napoleon in Spain. What gov
ernment are we to give these islands? We
refuse, them elf-government Can we
pies of the republic? This brings me to
the point that l am much less concerned
Tor the F1ltpinos than for the people of
the United States. Every step taken in
poseIy or not, in training the people of
this country to their own submission to
the arbitrary Will Of those who hold pow
er. A censorship of the press, acquiesced
IN IN Manila, is preparing the minds of
this people for such a censorship in New
England. 1t is just the same in Cuba
and Porto Rico. When we read quietly
that Gen. Ludlow has suppressed by force
a newspaper in Havana. we shall be
much less shocked if we hear that news
paper has been suppressed in Washing
ton; The demand for submission as a
prelude to good government is an OBJ
ject lesson towards the same Conditions
at nome. The political class who hold
the reins at Washington are quite will
ing to Impress the lesson upon our own
people, and l am sorry to say the idea.
is looked upon with too great indifferenee
by large numbers of wealthy and we'll
educated men. The country is Justly
alarmed adrIae l. at the great combinations of
all these are the Philippine trust and the
army and navy trust
The next point for consideration is.
who is to be held responsible for this
state OF things, and what can the people
do about it? Under our constitution
most fortunately, the executive power is
tai5ee Vested IN IN one one man, the president. He
sahes tne once and he must take the re-
spons1b1iity Unless he can show clearly
that his hands are forced by congress be-
yoLd ms power to prevent, he cannot
escape TINS. HOW much more, If he acts
gress. No plea of good intentions. no
plea of Irresistible pressure can avail
him. There seems to be an idea prevail
ing that the president must not be criti-
lsed; that he is the head Of the gov
ernment, is doing the best he can, and
ought TO be supported, especially against
armed resistance. That idea may be suit
ed to Russia or GERMANY hut II is not
to the United States. The president is
an elected official, placed in office for
L@our @ years, and to be judged by his ad-
MI nllinlstration OF the government. If We
VINO voted against him, and have had no
confidence In him from the start. find
MS pursuing course evil in itself and
tending to the overthrow of our institu-
Ilons, II IS our right and our duty to
pursue nm with the sharpest criticism
consistent with propriety of language. To
oeny thS is to declare free government
only an empty name 1t matters not
whether the president has pursued a def
Iidfgog 1nlfe policy di from the beginning or has
Yleided MS own sense of right to the pres
sure of forces which he could NOT con
trol. E II he succeeds, the praise will be
his. If he fails he must bear the blame
INCONSISTENT POSITION.
again, Mr.. Mckinley was not elected
upon upon any ny; question. of war. The issues
upon which his election turHed were those
of currency and and f1naIEe. His fnau-
guraI address contained flb word about
cuba cub =, or Spain. It was not till after a
failed to deal with domestic duestione ues 11ae
that the agitation for war began. The
PRESIDENT posed as denlo,ir,oc ,,-nr o IA l.