Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-10-31
TWELVE PAGES
TUESDAY. ocropEE 81. 1899.
THE ANTI-IMPERIAL LEAGUE.

The Anti-Inpcrial League, although
comparatively small in numbers, in
cludes some OF the br;iincst men in the
country. II Is doubtful if any other po-
litical organization of the present or
past has ever borne upon its rolls so
large proportion of the names OF men
who have achieved enp.ncnce in pub
lie life. In fact the distinguishing char
acteristic of the league, SO FAR us the
public has been made acquainted with
IT. is that 1t has II mitch greater array
of leaders than followers: more men
Who have been accustomed 10 lead
by the divine right of superior ability
than of those whose natural habit is
> 10 be led. George Il. EdmundS. George
Il. Hoar, George s. Bnusweil Carl
SEIZURE have all been, and one OF them
still remains. among tia most conspic-
uous members CT the U,l,.cd States
Sennte. TWO Of them have served the
republic In the Cabinet successfully and
honorahly. Other statesmen OF good
repute and several distinguished cdu-
Gators are enlisted in the anti-cXDan-
sion cause. II must, therefore. he con
coded that the league is not lacking in
rcsnectahil!ty: that However MISTAKEN
its policy may be, its members are
above suspicion aus TO motives; that
however sharply their plans and pur-
poses may clash with the general trend
OF sentiment. they are still lovers of
their country and have the moral cour-
age to stand u2, In face % rerruach
and derisann, TO contend for what they
Believe to be for the good OF the re-
public.
The Post has expressed the belief
that millions Of good Americans--pcr-
haps n majority would be glad to have
our position as 10 the PHILIPPINES put
back 10 tho ante-hcl!um status, II that
We're pIactica ble-,if 1t could he accom-
pliShad without auy sacrifice of me-
tional honor through tlesertion OF ma
tional duty. The Post has carefully
scanned the publications. of the league
and the speeches delivered by its men,
bcrs to discover by what means they
proposed to get the United states out
OF the Philippines. At the convention
an Chicago LAST week Carl Schurz made
the following propositions:
Let there be ~ once an armisticc
between our forces and the Fllinjnos
Let the Philippine Islanders ut the same
time be told that the American people
Will be glad to see them establish an
3 andependent government, and to aid
them in that task as far as NAV be noe
essary; that il the different tribes
composing the population OF tho Psi
uppines are disposed, as Mt least most
of them. If not ALL are likely to be. 10
attach themselves In some way to the
govern1nent already existing under the
presidency OF Agunaldo, we shall
cheerfully accept that solution of tho
question. and even. If required. lend
our good offices TO bring It about: ana
that meanwhile we shall deem IL our
duty to protect them against iuterfer-
ence from other foreign powers
It Is assumed that the President In
tsls message to Congress. will rccon,-
mend tho establishment or the author
MY or the United States IN the Philln
pines by the employment OF all "thc
force that may be needed. that ii h.,
main tained permanently that the civil
government follow tho military at thn
earliest possible moment, and that wide
latitude he allowed tho natives I'm local
), SELF nt."--Washington Post.
OF course the Post opposes Schrry
dlis great American associates and his
scheme, and stands by Mckinley and
his plan; yet THE VIRGINIAN.
PILOT, being American and Virgirian
dntus ct in cute. and Democratic in
fact and name. approves Mr.. Sch,lrz's
proposal as at least American and
and in recognition OF the rights of mcu
and nations. and opposes Mcl(tnlrv,s
as the formula of cruel ana absolute
tyranny, abhorred OF God and man
and in utter negation and violation Of
everything American, Nirgnian ana
Democratic ever proclaimed in this
country by our Statesmen and ratified
by our people.
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