The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-07-07
OPPOSED
TO THE WAR.
David Ferris Has the Peace
Society Adopt a ResOlu-
tiOn to This End.


war and determination to petition Presi-
don't Mckinley to grant cessation Of
hostilities was the only outcome OF meet.
ing Of the Delaware Peace Society last
night. Tho resolution was drafted and
offered by David Ferris. 1t was followed
by lively Discussion and was finally
adopted by vote of IL to 2. The oppo-
pents Of the resolution were Rev. William
W. Campbell and William Norris
The action was characterized by Mr..
Campbell as unwise, impolitc and un-
Christian and during the debate he spoke
of he resolution as being ridiculous. The
resolution, which was given three read
ings Is as follows:
Resolved, That feeling the most un-
happy and inconsistent positan Of our
President and government in demanding
the unconditional submission of Filipinos
to our arbitary rule;
believing. That such demand Is con-
t:ary to the foundation principle of our
government rs set forth in our Dscara-
tion OF Independence and in the Constitu-
tion Of the United States and also con-
trary to the solemn declaration of Presi-
dent Mckinley, that such a course would
be criminal aggression; therefore.
"Resolved. That we earnestly petition
our government to grant cessation of
hostilltiesto the Fiiipinos, with tho in.
teation to acknowledge fully their right
to seli-goyernmcut; Offering oil our part
to endeavor by peaceable international
agreement to protect them from outside
interference
"Mr. Campbell at once opposed the reso.
luton, taking the ground that the policy
of this government is right and just to
the Filipino people.
Mr. Ferris defended the resolution with
an address, in which he said that every
thinking citizen of the United State
realized the unhappy position of the
United States Government in the Philip
pine Islands. He said tho Filipinos had
not offended until our government had
demanded arbitrary submission to its
rule Agoncillo had been sent to WASH
ington rs their cmssary lmploriug recog-
milton, which he was, in justice entitled
to. Mr.. Ferris quoted from letters of
Agoncillo, The language of which ho
said was that of an able statesman anxious
for goodwill between his government and
ours.
He was condemned and ignored au d no
other offer than that of unconditional sub
mission to our imperial domination has
been made to him. Aguiraldo sought 10
establish neutral zone between our
forces and his, but General Otis said:
Tho fighting cree began must go on to
the grim end" There Is buo ono way
out OF the position and that is to retraoe,
grant liberty and justice and withdraw
our arbitrary demand. This would be
noble and patriotic on our part and s.op
the awful waste Of life and treasure and
save our country's liberty. Every de-
fense OF our position isan attack upon the
principles that made our country great.
Mr.. Ferris called upon the membsr, to
protest against the ruinous war. EVERY
bullet, he said That pierces the brown
skin of Filipino let's the blood out of
our constitution"
The Rev. Mr.. Campbell took the most
prominent part in opposing the resolu-
tion. He vigorously upheld tho govern
ment, claiming that Its policy is the only
one that could DO followed consistently
and said the responsibility for the gov
ernment Of ths Philippine Islands has
been thrust upon us in the course of events
The speaker said we had purchased
ALASKA. part of Mexico, Florida and the
Louisiana tract and their populations had
come under our government without
their consent and by a monetary consiu-
GRAFTON,
Mr.. Ferris read letter that he had
written to President Mex kinley protesting
ngainst the war in the Philippine Islands. |
He received a reply from ]. Addison Pcr-
ter, secretary to the President
A protest against encouraging the mill
tary spirit among boys ia tho churches,
enlisting them in bigades, was madc by |
Mr.. Morris. Tho oncampment at Brandy
wine Springs was given as an example.
The porteSt was approved by Mr., Rhoads.
The discussion was ended by Mr. Morris |
saying; "lf the present policy OF the gov.
,rnment Is followed wo will end in des-
ootism. Our own liberty is at stake"