The San Francisco call., 1899-07-07
THE ADMINISTRATION.

papers in the Union, seems to have lost patience
with the administration and has turned upon 1t
with vigor that must be attributed to very deep
conviction attack OF temper unusually severe.
The Oregonian has favored Governor Roosevelt 5
idea OF proper Americansm which is that we must
have war continually upon our hands as an urgency
to the strenuous life" which the hero OF the Rough
Riders regards as necessary.
The Oregonan now complains that President Nc
Kinley has no policy that he is guilty Of indecls1on
and seems to prefer to follow public opinion rather
than create and educate it. All this makes serious
Indictment but perhaps its severity may be miti-
gated by little examination of the facts The Pres-
dent and all thoughtful in the country toresaW
the results OF a war with Spain and sought, with
honor, to avodit Mr. Moorefeld Storey early in 1890,
showed clear vision when he said that the republic
could endure any reverse misfortune or disaster,
but that our free institutions would probably not
vive victory in foreign The President cOmpre-
hended this clearly. Its truth is becoming daily more
and more apparent The Oregonian is lmperlallst
organ and avors expansion into the tropics and the
ruling there of subject races. The same political
sovereignty cannot have both citizens and subjects
under its flag for long period All will become sub
jects or all will become citizens There is no half
way ground AS result of the Spanish war about
twenty millions Of tropical people have been brought
within the zone OF imperialism. They have been ex-
plotted by than European nation, prlnci-
pay by Spain, and always to the loss, deerlorat1on
degeneration depletion and weakening at home OF the
Government that controlled them. They effected the
final ruin of Spain power which at the time OF their
acquisition was as great as England is now and with
as widespread domain.
Whatever the absolutism of tfe home Government
the colonial establishment always worse, and
those who were trained in its administration, when
+1,o he
and tyranny acquired in bearing the white mans bur
den in the colonies to tncture the domestic admin
istration with autocratc ways
That the effect will be the same upon us
sonable man doubts. That the physical and moral
and political poison, generated in ruling subjects in
the tropics will weaken the free purpose OF Our peo
pie is beyond question. That we buy them sub
jects or take them as the spoil OF war against
solemn pledge is such departure from every proper
purpose and aim OF republic to appeal to all who
choose to think Having held them subjects, they
can never be promoted to citizenship. Subsection is
no school in which to learn sef-government.
Turn which way You will the problem is black with
disaster Now the President may we'll hesitate. He
may well fater He may we'll pause in the hope that
the organs OF public opinion. the upholders of con
stitutiona freedom, will turn again to the policy
OF the republic and lead the people to follow.
If we may assume to advise the Oregonian will
venture to suggest that it turn from the path has
already followed too far and uphold the President in
respecting the oath he has taken support the
stitution Let it declare that free shall hold
slaves and free Government shall rule sub
iects and stick to it. and the President will soon ap-
pear to it to have policy that conforms to the pre-
cepts OF liberty.
The American people must in this matter set them
selves right, for will do it for them. The
F1fr0Oean mowers fCrp ieaO11s IF rrO0resc
desired that take upon us the handicap and clog
of national ambition and the fatal thirst for glory
We have already done things in outrage OF inter
national law and comfy which they would not have
tolerated in one OF themselves The Filipinos and
Cubans and Porto Ricans will turn in vain to Europe
for a champion OF their rights The dis
respect those rights and violate word the better
pleased is Europe. VIII the Oregonian help the
American people to right themselves?