The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-21

Ravenna. Au~. Is. 1850

Ravenna. Aug. Is. 1859.
To the Editor: There il q diversity OF
opinion. even among Republicans. on the
question Of the holding IT the Philippines.
as evidenced by interviews which have
appeared constantly In your paper In the
Passing Throng" column. I desire to be
placed on record on this great question:
question Of such magnitude and import
ance 10 the Pacific coast. and especially
TO Seattle and our promising state OF
Washington. There II ono class at the
old school. no doubt honest men. who
were opposed TO the treaty of peace. and
It's ratification by congress, who. with
Nashington's farewell address in their
minds. and their sentimental. sympathet-
ic views. have believed that our constitu-
tional form Of government was In dan
ger. our liberty and independence ana
union in jeopardy. by purchasing, hold
Ing and governing vast possessions. not
contiguous to our mainland. beyond seas
on the other side Of the world.
There Is another class OF men who be-
lieve that the Philippine group are not
worth what they will cost us-that We
never wanted them. But now, as they
are ours by purchase and treaty. We must
put down the rebellion in Luson island
at any cost OF life or treasure. Mr.. Edi-
tor. permit me tn say that l belong to
still another class Of men who believe
that the Philippine archipelago - neces-
sary to achieve the proper commercial.
military and naval greatness Of this grand
republic: that 1t 10 the future destiny OF
this nation. under the guidance OF the
God of heaven. to send civilization. hb-
erty and Christianity all over the Ameri-
lean continent. yea, into Asia on the other
side of the Pacific. Our government went
into the war with Spain with no promise
of reward. purely for humanity and lib
erty to the oppressed: and without one
defeat, with little loss Of life, in few
months drove the despotism of Spain
from the American continent-yea, al
most wiped that proud monarchy from
the face of the earth. God performed a
miracle I'm Manila bay. May I. 1855. using
al an instrument our beloved Dewey.
when the whole Spanish navy In those
waters was destroyed. with no loss to
ours and that starry emblem was first
unfurled in triumph on the seas of Asia
Who will say that the mysterious powers
Of the universe have not planted our
banner over there. which. supported by
the loyal, progressive, patriotic people of
our nation. will carry liberty. civilization,
education and happiness to the 100000 of
that vast archipelago.
Aside from our duty to humanity, and
may say to God, we want these islands to
give us power on the sea. Their possession
and control are necessary to our CONNER
cial greatness. We want a foothold there
in the center of the worlds dense popu-
lat.on. Those people will. when they learn,
use our wheat and corn: they will use our
manufactures which are already enor-
nous. We want command Of the Pacific.
which, with these islands, the Hawaiian
group and the coaling stations We already
own, we will have.
Let me say In conclusion to those in
doubt. as the opposition is lining up for
the political struggle for 1900 and are try
ing to formulate a platform, between sill
Yer and DISQUALIFICATION and expansion.
remember the experience of the Viliand-
inghams Of 1864. who declared that the
Union could not be preserved by force,
the constitution was being violated and
that the war should cease. Where are they
now? Politically dead and buried, forever.
Remember their fate, and lay aside party
stand and vote for progression, advance
ment, expansion and the glory and great
ness of our republic Stand by Mckinley
and the present administration In crush
ing Agu.naldo and his savage followers.
and shun the Bryan band wagon and
his anti-expansion, unpatriotic. unpro-
gressive followers.
Consent to be governed" is a humbug
as applied to savageS. our government
bought the territories OF Florida. Louis.-
ana, Mexico and Alaska We have ever
been expanding Did we ask the consent
Of these Spaniards and Indians to be gov
erned? We have driven the Indian from
the face OF the earth. Did we ask their
consent to be ann.hilated? In the words
OF Henry Watterson, let us all say:
Where the star Of destiny leads. I follow.
Where our flag Is planted. even on the
SANDS of Asia or Africa. / go with IT,"
NJ. F. JONES.