The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-04-12
FIERCE.

The old Republicans of Boston and
New England seem to be energetically
opposed to President Mckinley and the
war in the Philippines, and they place
their opposition upon lofty grounds OF
principle. The following quotation illus
trates this:
Boston, April 5-A mass meeting I'M
der the auspices of the Anti-Imperialist
league was held in fremont Temple last
night and was attended by large and
enthusiastic audience. The principal
speaker was ex-Secretary of the Treasurer
George S. Boutwell, He said:
The president has entered systematic
ally upon colonial policy in imitation OF
the colonial policy of Great Britain. The
prosecution of tho war against the Filipi-
nos is an offensts to every producer and
every laborer and every taxpayer in Am
erica Our demand must be this: With
draw the troops from the Philippines.
Leave the islands to the inhabitants. Let
them set tip government for themselves
The next step in the career OF public
crime on which the country has entered
is the creation of mercenary army, to be
composed of men, with whom, for the
most part, we are unable to have any
personal intercourse who have no knowl-
edge of our institutions and who will be
bound to us by no tie except that which
may be established between the oppressed
and the oppressor. Mercenary armies
have been the curse of every country in
which they have found employment
The president occupies the position in
reference to the Philippines that Russia
occupies in regard to Poland. and a posi-
ton kindred to the position Austria occu-
pied to Hungary in IS48. when Kossuth,
was carrying on a contest III behalf OF
self-government, in which all Americans
sympathized.
What sort OF government is the pres
ident setting up in the Philippine islands?
The answer must be this: A military gov
eminent set up over a people who have
been subdued by military power. The
president asserts a purpose to use all the
powers ever claimed by any despot. In
fine. there is no middle ground in princi-
pie between the republicanism of the de
claration of American independence and
the broadcast claims that were ever put
forth by the car of Russia.
Resolutions condemning the policy of
the administration we're adopted.
This detection is a serious one. as it
comes from men who are not effected by
the distribution Of patronage, or any I'M
worthy motives 1t is an effort to pre-
serve the republic upon the lines on
which it was established by the fathers
What use the Philippines are to be
to the people of this country it is difficult
to see The climate is not fit for white
people, and the islands are densely pop
ulated by packs OF n-Christian savages,
Mohammedans and pagans. 1t would be
a crime against God and man to permit
such creatures to vote with us, at the bat
lot box
And Our form Of government based on
the rights of the citizen, is scarcely suited
to hold such people in everlasting subjec-
ton.
And what glory can it be to this great
republic to hold territories, with millions
of inhabitants, on the other side of the
globe? We may be able to get little
commerce from it, but wherein will that
help the mass of our people? In the
meantime thousands Of Our young men
are being killed or MANNED for life in the
ignoble struggle with savages for moth
ing. |. d.