The San Francisco call., 1899-05-05
M. M. ESTEE'S BLUNDER.


character But Mr.. Estee seized the opportunity OF
his selection as one OF the speakers Dewey day"
to deliver an unjust vrulent and nexcusabe TRADE
against millions OF Americans who oppose the policy
OF foreign annexation or conquest His address was
as papabe violation OF the propreties OF the
sion as the philippe OF Senator Stewart at Oakland
in 1860 in favor of the Chinese which desecrated
national anniversary.
Mr. Estee is the Handy Andy OF the Pacific Coast
He can be safely relied upon to commit any possible
blunder upon any public occasion During the last
session OF the Legislature he batanty advocated the
candidacy OF Dan Burns, and thus invountarily
helped the public by contributing to his defeat He
has up a non-exsting administration policy,
and by his unsolicited contribution to the numerous
misrepresentation OF the attitude OF the Government
has furnished nutritious arguments against his own
opinions.
It would be tedious to follow Mr. Estee through
his labyrinthne illumination. But few OF his SEN
tences may be prohtaby segregated and their alb
surdity exposed Evidently msled by the Examiners
perversons OF Thomas Jefferson, instead OF deriving
his information from original sources, he directly
that great statesmans expressed opinions and
presents him advocate OF expansion in foreign
countries. He then oraculary states that 'the nation
will grow fastest which offers to the world the best
government and the greatest amount OF good unoc-
cupied land" This correct proposition, the most OBJ
vious argument for adherence to our constitutional
system, and for the development OF the American re-
public this continent, is one OF Mr.. Estee's rea-
sons for insisting upon Asiatc expansion! What rot!
1t is beyond controversy that unless revolutionzed by
the imperalists have the best government in
existence, and that there is abundance OF good un-
occupied land" in California, in Texas, in Arizona
and in the greater part OF the Union We have land
and resources that would easily support five hundred
millions OF Americans, living in harmony and in
prosperity under their constitutional Government.
As the Philippine archipelago is far more densely
populated than the United States even if the climate
not prohibtory to our farmers and our hort-
cuturists, there is for them in that unin-
viting and distant group OF Asiatic remnants.
Mr. Estee also follows the monotone of expansion in
attempting analogue Our unsuccessful manag cement
CT few scattered Indian tribes in this continent
to the task OF subduing and governing millions of
Fipinos. II our own concerns are insufficient to
satisfy our energy and cupidity and there is
demand that this Government should become pot-
cal missionary, extending freedom by the of
tllery would be preferable to take up the cause of
the Armenans or the Firms and enforce our civiza-
ton upon the Turks and the Russians.
In another part OF his address he wantonly abused
every American citizen who. in opposition the
policy of Asatic expansion. has exercised his inalien-
able rights, guaranteed by the Declaration of Inde-
pendenCe and by the constitution. He paraphrased
the observation OF General Merritt that we have out
grown the constitution" into the weaker expression
that have grown beyond our youthful restraints"
and characterized millions of Americans, who are
simply loyal to their institutions the enemies OF
country He also falsfed the record by saying:
I'VE would have had with the Filpinos if
dissatisfied Americans had not sought to make the
ha1.a A. +1,o
sion" This is a nice assertion to make and nice
doctrine to be proclaimed by aspiring politician
who has frequently and unsuccessully solicited the
surages Of his fellow citizens In 1882 and again in
1906 Mr. Estee should have announced his opinion
that dissatisfaction among Americans and the free
discussion OF questions affecting their constitution
and their national policy should be suppressed be-
they tended to encourage semi-barbarism six
thousand miles away to resist invasion their own
soil. He was twice and Overwhelmingly beaten as it
II he had revealed his conversion to despotism
his first defeat would have been his last.
Finally Mr. Estee uses the mercenary argument as
a sort OF climax to his partisan harangue on day
sacred to American nationality: I'VE have bought
these islands and paid for them when we could have
got them by conquest" We purchased the abstract
pretensions of Spain to the Philippines and found
that had secured element OF title not even
naked possession. We are now engaged in the ap-
pication OF imperial precedens in the distinct line OF
conquest. This may have been forced upon us by
the treaty of Paris. But, il had been contented
with the crushing victories Spain had returned
to ordinary business OF charging and improving
citizenship had maintained the Monroe doctrine had
adhered rgidly to own principles and had CON
secrated ourselves aresh to the fulfllment Of our
legitimate mission the Filipinos would have been
puzzled by their relegation in their home to the
ranks OF rebels" and insurgents" and there would
have been effort to ingrait imperial shoots the
American vine, rooted in revolutionary epoch and
yielding delicious fruits to humanity.
Mr.. Estee is welcome to his witches caldron of
contradictory sentiments. The Call prefers its
Americansm and the peaceful expansion of consti-
tutona liberty.
BACKING THE PEACE CONFERENCE