The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-02-10

The question, sir, whether Il flag
should be lowered depends very
largely upon the purpose for whicn
il was raised. When tlag is car
ried from home for a particular pur-
pose, and that purpose ba5 been en-
tirely accomplished, | can not see
that there is any dishOnor in bring.
ing it back. Our flag was not raised
over the city of Manila for the pur.
pose of annexation. 1t went there
to strike a blow for the Cuban peo-
pie, who were struggling for their
freedom. lG did not 60 there TO
subiugate another people, who were
also struggling Tor theirs. Ap.
plause.
You think it is a glorious thing to
plant our dag in that tar. distant
country, but you do not intend that
any freeman's eyes shall eVar be-
hold it; that any freeman shall ever
stand beneath its folds. You intend
that it shall be separated forever
from all the noble principles and
aspirations with which it has been
associated from the hour in which
it's glorious cOlor5 first tioated to the
breeze. Applause. Would [ take
it down? [ answer that when / fiud
the flag of my country an exile from
its native land, languishing in an
uncongenial cline, dropping above
timid serfs and crouchlng slaves,
1000 miles from the nearest free
man, [ would take it down and |
would bring it home to wave over
free men in free country. Loud
applause on the Democratic size.
You say that the people of the
Philippine Islands are not fit for
American freedom. | answer that a
land that is not fit for a freeman's 5
home is not fit for freeman's flag.
Prolonged applause.l Yes, sir; [
would take it down. 1t has accom-
plished all it went there to do. 1t
Is "a stranger and an alien there-lts
home is here. There it is an emblem
of force and conquest; here it is an
emblem of liberty and of law.
Upon the very first page of the
history Of that war is recorded the
solemn declaration of this Congress
that we would never do the very
thing which is now being attempted
! Upon that same page Pre- e>ident
William Mckinley has written the
words "criminal aggression" against
the policy which President McKin-
ley is now seeking to consummate
with all the power and influence OF
his Administration. ".
ut is but trifing with this ques.
tion to say that the language of Con.
gress and the President had refer
ence only to the people Of Cuba. 1t
was the statement of a general
principle and a general purpose, and
it was so understood and accepted
by Congress and the country. II
was so understood and accepted by
the distinguished gentleman from
Maine Mr.. Dingleyl in the speech
to which [ have before referred Ii
that speech, addressing himself tt
bis immediate constituents assem-
bled in convention, the gentleman
referred to the fears entertained by
many that
"The people of this country may be 81
intoxicated with a demonstration o
their power as to change the peaceful
and unambitious policy which has here
I
try to enter upon the policy of aggres
sion, colonial expansion, aud empire.
"He declared that he could fully
appreciate the gravity of such fears
but he assured his audience that
"Nothing has thus far occurred t.
change the declaration of Congress
when this war was accepted, that ou
purpose in waging it is not territoria
l.ttf 20. 70 In tnsD
of humanity and liberty.
"Sir, the distinguished gentleman
from Maine understood the Ian
guage of Congress to signify a sol
emn declaration against territOria
expansion, and he congratulated hi
audience that up to that time II,
step had been taken in that direc
tion. "Thus far" he tells us, moth
ing has occurred to change the de
claration of Congress. Thus ia
nothing has been done to dishonO
the solemn pledge we have made Il
the American people aud to man
kind. Thus far the President of tn
! United States has not become con
vert to the policy of fOrcible annexa
, tion. Thus far our word is unbrOk
en- and our honor unstained.
Thus could the gentleman frOr
Maine speak to his constituents il
/ the month of JIly, 1898. But "for
) chile annexation" is now throne
r and crowned as the imperial polio.
of the Administration, but with tn
l brand of crime placed there b
= President Mckinley still hissin
upon its brow. [Applause on tn
; Democratic side.
r But, Mr.. Chairman, il such cor
{ sideratiOns are of no avail, we ma
g at least consider whether, from th
r most cold -bloOded standpoint
/ self-interest, we should enter upo
? this career. Before we adopt th
| policy Of criminal oppression" |,
T Us at least estimate the profits OF tt
j., crime. Before we break OF
: plighted word and trample und,
e foot all our noble aud masnanimoU
e professions, let US at least inquir
g What are the wages of dishOnOl
Y How much do we get for the wisdoI
n of the fathers, for the traditions ,
d the Republic, for the principles +,
L American liberty? What is q
J. price OF the Declaration Of Indepent
h ence? IL we are to give up Wasl
q ingtOn aud Jefferson for McKinle