Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-10-26
WHAT GENERAL WHEELER THINKS.

WHAT GENERAL WHEELER THINKS.
1t is remarkable that 50 many Of the
Democratic leaders of the South are SO
pronounced in their support of the policy
of the Administration in connection with
the Philippines. Ex-Governor Hogg
has spoken very strongly in favor of
the United States holding the islands, and
it seems that General Joseph Wheeler
holds the same views. He wrote a letter
from Manila, dated August 90, 1899, to
President Mckinley, and in a speech
made by the President at Sioux Falls,
South Dakota, on the 18th. inst, he read
the letter, with great effect, to the audi
ence. General Wheeler wrote as follows:
81 am confident that if we would With
draw our army now that Aguinaldo could
not hold himself in power without carry
ing on warfare against other tribes, and
this would cause q constant warfare and
turmoil for years OF course there would
be looting of cities and Selling and de-
struction of property and the business
people and property-holders would apply
to some strong government to restore or.
der For us to withdraw our army now
would be criminal, aud for such an action
we would be arraigned and denounced by
the civilized nations of the earth.
81 believe that when it is fully under
stood that our supremacy is to be main
tanned in these islands, there will be an
influx of population from the United
States and other countries. There is no
question as to the richness of the soil,
and the abundance and richness of gold,
copper, and coal mines 1t is true that
heretofore they have not paid, but it Is
because they have not been properly man
aged. The receipts at this port from Gus
toms Gt is the port of Manila) are aver
aging 100000 per month. This, with the
internal revenue, believe, would in ordi-
nary times pay the entire expenses Of the
government.
can idea seems to be prevalent in the
United States that this is an unhealthy
country, and that white men can not live
here. This is gleat mistake. There is
also an impression that TO retain these
islands would be a burden on our country.
That these views are errors it should be
impressed on the American people
Here is hero of two wars; man uni
versally esteemed at the South for patriot
ism. courage = and sound Judgment; a
man who has been an ardent Democrat
aud supporter of Mr.. Bryan, who endorses
the wisdom Of the policy Of President
Mckinley. His testimony is given after
he has gone upon the field and inyestiga-
ted the situation. This testimony is worth
more than that Of thousand blatent
demagogues of the type Of Bryan and
Bailey; of men who would deliberately
plot to plunge their country into war for
partisan ends, and then seek not only to
escape the consequences Of the war, but to
defeat an honest effort to utilize and han
die such consequences. Mr.. Mckinley
was opposed to going to war with Spain
if it could possibly be avoided; Bryan
and Bailey and most of the so-called anti
imperialists were loudmouthed jingoists.
They now seek to overthrow the Admins
tration because of the necessary policy
that has followed the war they helped to
provoke. Wheeler says the President is
right, Bryan says he is wrong. Wheeler
is true and tried patriot, Bryan is self
seeking demagogue Which will the peo-
pie believe ard follow?