The evening times., 1899-12-15
FRIDAY. DECEMBER Is, 1899.
The Democratic Policy to the
Philippines.


as some people do, we should say this
morning that apparently insane antics like
the Mississippi Williams resolutions pledg-
ing independence to the Filipinos, and de-
nouncing the temporary arrangement with
the Sultan of Suiu, really represent a
deeply rooted conspiracy on the part of
certain alleged Democrats to save Mr.. Nc
Kinley from all trouble and expense in Sc
curing his denomination, and in going
through the form of an election next year.
The Ohio Democratic platform makers
did their handsomest TO march the party
into Stormberg and Modder River Beer
trap, and they have TO thank themselves
for the November slaughter OF Democratic
hopes which happened in consequence.
The course pursued by some of the party
leaders in the State elections of last au-
tumn could only have been dictated either
by paresis or secret desire to injure
Democratic prospects in the Presidential
year. Whichever furnished the motive
power, the act itself was just cause for
giee in the camp of the enemy; because it
meant, if backed by the party generally, a
determination 10 fight Republicanism en-
trenched behind the plainly universal sem
timent in favor OF expansion, with a cor
poral's guard of provircials armed with
Gecayed cornstalks.
The Ohio performance was so depressing
in its results, it was to be hoped that the
people who put it on and saw it hissed OF
the stage, would take the lesson to heart,
and warn all their fellows to avoid any
thing like it in future. We may admit
in excuse for the Buckeye platform butch
ers. and the Atkinaldo orators who repre-
sented the scenery, properties. and nearly
the full strength of the company, that they
really believed they had an issue. alive,
roaring but perfectly contented with its
cage" that would tickle the fancy or erect
the back hair Of the masses, and that by
judicious stirring with long pole it would
ultimately break loose and show Mr.. Nc
Kinley. Plat. Dick, and the - Hanna,
what was ealing them. These Ohio blum
derers at least had the courage of their
ignorance. and possibly may be pardoned
for not knowing that they could not have
found in all the world another policy SO
helpful to the Republicans or so hurtful
10 Democratic interests.
1t was a disastrous but perhaps not an
irremediable mistake: but il was one The
smallest hint at repetition of which in any
quarter should have been provided against.
The original blunder placed the PARTY in
an unpopular position before the country.
The fit thrown by the williams resolutions,
unless they be promptly disavowed by re-
1ponsible leaders in Congress, will subject
It to general ridicule and contempt.
The Administration press has been quick
10 see the opening offered by this exposition
of individual foolishness, and TO make home
thrusts at the party assumed to endorse it.
The New York Tribune under Washing
ton Gate of December II, refers to the cpl
code in this suggestive way: Two joint
resolutions were introduced in the House
today by Representative Williams of Mis-
sissippi. which are the result of conferences
among a number of Democratic leaders,
and are understood to express their position
on the Philippine question" OF course we do
not accept this fling at the leaders as even
probably justified; but it is perfectly nat
ural one for the Tribune" to indulge in
They will have right to, however, if the
matter is allowed to rest without specific
denial by the recognized minority leaders,
None of the Administration managers could
ask for two better Republican campaign
documents to present to American voters
than these Williams resolutions. The fact
that after the bloody Malay mutiny in
LuzOn had been crushed, and its armed
forces resolved into banditti, rOSbing and
numbering non-eombatants, men, women.
and children. even one Democratic Repre-
sentative could be found TO demand the
surrender of our Eastern possessions to
these unorganized bands of cutthroats in
the name of Liberty, will be worth mil
lion extra votes to William Mckinley. il
the Democrats in Congress are not careful
TO disown the offence and place the party
right in the eyes of the American people.
Should this be not done, and should the
leaders of Democratic opinion in the SEN
ate and House allow the inference to spread
that the Williams resolutions represent
the views of any considerable portion Of the
party organization, it will then be only
necessary to remind the National Commit
tee that it would be waste of money and
effort to call national convention, or to
think of putting a Presidential ticket in
the field in 1900. The party which does not
deAounce stuff such as the Williams Fill
ipino resolution is already whipped, dead,
and buried.