The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-08-31


pies who are oppressed, or are threat
ened with oppression. And what coun-
try is it that is not threatened with
spoliation by the European powers?
England speaks for all Europe when it's
premier says it is the destiny of weaker
nations to be absorbed by the stronger.
On the other hand, if we join with
Spain in the partition of the Philip
pines. we sink to the low level Of Eu-
rope, both as matter of fact and in
the eyes of the world. South America
us. China and Japan will see that they
can hope for nothing from us. Our
claim as the champion of human free
dom is an absurdity, and the world will
so regard it. We must fight the Fill
pinos and incur their everlasting en-
nifty, as Spain has done. And it is to
be remembered that the subjugation of
5000, 900 people on the other side of the
globe is rather large and doubtful I'M
dertaking.
Republican journals are trying to i'm
press it on the people that it would be
very unfortunate if the elections this
fall should show the world that this
people is opposed to- expansion and
spoliation. Nothing, however, more
fortunate could happen this country. If
the administration is not restrained by
popular rebuke this fall, we are. morally
certain to be involved in a war with the
F1llpinos, and possibly with Cuban pa
triots. Hundreds of thousands of our
citizens must be sent to the Philippines
and Cuba to die of disease and in battle.
And no man knows who must go. The
draft must be resorted to, for no large
number of. our citizens, after the ex-
perience of this war, will volunteer to
fight Cuban and Philippine patriots be-
cause they yearn for independence.
Those who are already in the army, and
those drafted, must go in this unholy
crusade against freedom. It were bet
ter to rebuke the administration this
fall, before the thing happens, than af-
terward in 1900.
But how do you know that the admin
istration will involve us in war? Well.
four-ffths of the Paris commission are
expansiOniSts. 1t SENS to have been
pretty well understood with the presi-
dent and the commission that we must
have Luzon. The Fiiipinos will say, if
you take Luzon, you had as we'll take
the balance. but you must fight us for
what you get, and perhaps Germany.
who is furnishing us with arms.
Even if the administration comedies
independence to the Filipino and the
Cuban, it seems determined to do it in
way that must result in war with the
patriots who have fought for independ-
ence. 1t has been quite customary for
those who fight for the independence of
a country to form it's government. and
10 run tnat government for time at
least. Evidently Cuban and Philippine
patriots will give trouble when McKin-
ley attempts to put what he is pleased to
call the "best citizens" in control. re-
CARELESS OF whether they have fought
for or against Cuban and Philippine in
dependence. What Mckinley regards as
best citizens in Cuba and the Philip-
pines may be known by what he regards
as the best citizens of this country
men of great wealth and large affairs.
money lenders, manufacturers and great
commercial and TRANSFORMATION cornora-
tons. The Cuban and Philippine patri-
OTIS DO not fall largely under any of
these classes, and will not take kindly
to their domination in the new govern
ment. If Mckinley, in the settlement
OF Cuban and Philippine matters. at
tends at all exclusively to the wants of
men of great wealth and large affairs in
the cities. he is morally certain to mis-
take the situation and have trouble
with the other people of these islands.
just as it is possible he may have some
trouble with the great common people
OF this country in the election this fall.
1t were we'll for the best citizen to gov
ern, but the best citizen is not always a
man of great wealth and large affairs.
Indeed, in a republic the best citizen is
the majority, since republics are formed
by men and for men, and not by dollars
and for dollars.
The government don't seem to recog-
nize good thing when it has it. By
encouraging the Filipino and the Cuban
In their aspirations for independence
all manner of good would flow to this
country. And this country is in mag
nlflcent shape to give this encourage
ment The administration throws away
this opportunity, and Germany. France
and Japan take it up by furnishing the
Philippine insurgents arms to secure
their INDEPENDENCE France. Germany
and Japan can onlyi hope for gratitude
and favorable trade relations, possibly
a naval station. Wefconld ncye all that