The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-21
Bacon's Philippine Resolutions.
~ HE Bacon resolution declaring
the policy which the United

~ HE Bacon resolution declaring
the policy which the United
States should pursue toward the
Philippines, makes good reading.
The course therein outlined should
commend itself to every person who
believes in the principles upon which
the American republic was founded,
and who has correct appreciation of
the difference between right and wrong.
It effectually meets and explodes every
specious plea that has been made on
behalf of Mr.. McKinleys imperialistlc
plan of conquest, and it can only be
opposed upon the theory that the in
habitants have not now and never will
have any political rights in their own
country.
In brief the resolution declares that
the war with Spain was not waged IN
a spirit Of conquest; that it Is not the
purpose of this government to secure
permanent dominion over the Philip
pines or to permanently incorporate
the inhabitants thereof as citizens of
the United States. but that the obliga-
ton rests upon the American govern
and protect the inhabitants until
stable government can be established;
that when armed resistance to the au-
thority of the United States shall have
ceased and peace and order been re-
stored, it is the purpose of the United
States to extend to the people Of the
islands the same measure of freedom
that has been promised to Cuba, re-
serving to this country only such har-
bors and tracts of land as may be
needed for coaling stations and other
governmental purposes, and to endeav-
or by treaties with other governments
to secure the permanent independence
of the Philippines.
The press dispatch gives the first
three paragraphs merely In outline. but
we take it that there is no reference
to the question of the constitutional
power of the United States to acquire
territory to be held as colony. If
so, it Is eminently wise. for if there
is any such constitutional objection 1t
rests in theory only, and can scarcely
be dealt with in a practical way, for
the simple reason that if the govern
ment chooses to exercise such a power
there is no remedy. Congress may re-
solve that no such power exists, and
reverse itself the next day, or one con-
gress may reverse the action of pre-
ceding one. Each case of the kind
| must, in The nature of things, be dealt
| with separately and upon its own iner-
its. The subjugating policy OF Mr.. Nc
| Kinley should be opposed, not upon
| technical constitutional grounds, hut
| trary to the true spirit of American
institutions.
The policy OF Mr.. Mckinley is utterly
indefensiblc in principle, and, as is the
rule in such cases, it's apologists and
defenders shave resorted to the device
Of misrepresenting its opponents. In
dealing with such question there are
always many differing shades of indi-
vidual opinion as to the details Of the
policy that should be pursued. This
is just as true Of the republican sup
porters of Mr.. Mckinley as it is Of
his opponents.
But the general and organized opposi-
ton has never urged the "disgTaceful
pulling down of the American nag"
and the immediate withdrawal Of the
army and navy" as Mr.. Mckinley and