Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24
IMPERIALISM, PLAINLY.
The True Import of the Adminis1ra-
tons Attitude on the Phil
ippine Question.

Insidious methods are always used
for the introduction of that which is
void of merit. Under the name Of pa
triotism venality shelters her hideous-
aess, and under the name of liberty
crime against God and man is often
committed. Nine. Roland once eN-
claimed: ''Oh, liberty, what crimes
are committed in thy name!" She was
mounting the scaffold steps to eXecu-
ton on the block as one of Frances
purest patriots. The crime was COM
mitted in the name of liberty. The flag
is the potential representative of our
country. An appeal for its defense
quickens every sturdy and generous i'm
pulse. On the moment men are ready
10 do and die that its folds shall not
De insulted or its colors dimmed. To
trail it in the dust is one of the capital
sins. TO prostitute it for selfish pur-
poses, to use its significance that per-
sonaI thrift may follow, is to invite
the condemnation of every Hberty-lov-
ing man. To use it against those who
pleaded for its purity and the protec-
ton of its character is but little less
than sacrilege. In this day it is being
used to engraft an imperial policy on
our country. In the name of the starry
banner an effort is being made to de-
stroy people which has been under the
yoke of tyranny for centuries. 1t was
properly used to drive from the Phil
ippine group of islands the decayiEg
monarchy of Spain. Under its ample
folds liberty was enriched. The ty-
rant was driven from Luzon and all
the people of those islands rejoiced.
Under its stars and stripes an attempt
is being made to reenslave the FilipinoS.
To them orr government says: "You
must be dependents. We viii inaugu
rate government for you, and we will
enforce the government which we give
you. You must not question. You
have nothing to do with the matter but
to obey. If you claim that another
system is better suited to your people
you are nsurgents-traitors. You do
not know what is good for yourselves.
The United States does. You shall not
become a part of the great republic.
You must simply and quietly obey. If
q question is asked as to where lies
hidden the basic principle on which
rests our government we answer: Our
people are in charge of the destinies
of your people. We need these islands,
but not to make them sharers of our
liberty and participants in the exalted
glories we are winning. You are uE-
fitted for the enjoyment of liberty.
You are ignorant and debased and need
a master. We will be your master
and you viii be our subjects. In short,
we are about to enter on an imperialist-
ic career. We must commence it by en-
shaving others. You can be made tribIl-
tary to our aims. We cannot take from
our own people single right which
they now enjoy, but we deny to you
whatsoever we may. To appeal to our
people in direct manner to become i'm
perialists would be to have our appeal
rejected with scorn. We must approach
our desire by indirection. You shall be
the instrument by which the path TO
imperiaistic power shall be gained.
We must practice deception. So, under
the plea of patriotism and under the
folds of the flag we will destroy the
republic and take our place among i'm
peria1 powers"
That answer is not strained. 1t rep
resents the true state of the intents of
the administration of William McKin-
ley.
How long will our people remain de-
ceived? When will their patience tire
and revolt? These are questions which
will soon be answered.-Cincinna En-
quirer.