The Irish standard., 1899-05-20

CONQUEST, because from them are re-
cruite:d the brave rank and file who are
always paying the cost of war with pre-
cious lives. Moreover, on them falls a
heavy part of the expenditure for war
and expansion. The hundreds OF mill
ions OF dollars which the Philippine is
lands are costing us must be paid for by
taxes on OUR shoes, our clothing, our
hats and on our tools of industry. If,
then, the laboring class and the taxpay-
er must pay for this war, who gains?
| answer: Only the few favored ones
who may obtain public office or con-
cessions for banks, special franchises to
build and operate street railways and
other similar commercial privileges.
That is, the workingmen and the tax
payer are to be impudently asked to
offer their lives and property that syndi-
Gates may have few more chances to
fill their purses. How long will we go
on patiently submitting to this exploita-
ton OF the country for the good OF those
who are influential in politics? ZAP
plause)
"Commercialism has sunk its fangs
deep enough into our political life 1t
cannot go much farther without stirring
the righteous indignation of justice-lov-
ing Americans. Too long has public
office been given, not to selected fitness,
but to service in advance OF personal
ambitions.
Great fortunes, rather than great
craftsmanship, too often fill the senate.
Arrogant wealth buys legislation, which
should be cheap for the frugal consumer
as for the powerful producer We send
up an appeal-which will be followed
by shout of approval from the Ameri-
can electorate-for equality in treatment
OF all, both rich and poor; and for just
ice to the weak, whether white or
brown.
Il have shown that we would have no
more trade by owning the islands than
we would have without them, since our
success in foreign markets depends
upon home conditions; that the only
commercial gains by conquest go to the
lew at the expense of the workingman
and the taxpayer; and that if we could
buy more trade at the expense OF human
life it would be immoral.
They tell us that we must 90 on
with the war until the Filipinos are
thoroughly subjugated. 1t is as if a
great bully should be allowed to go on
beating a child until the victim is help
less. No, l say, stay the blows Of war
until we know that right aims the blow.
You know, everyone knows, that if we
were to say to the Filipinos that our
flag is there as a symbol OF protection,
that we are there solely to insure to
them free and independent govern
ment war would cease instantly; not
another life would be sacrificed. But
what is really meant when it is said that
the war must go on until the natives are
crushed, is this: We insist upon assum-
ing that we have right, if we please,
to govern the Philippines in Our way,
against their will; that we will make
them acknowledge that by force; hence
go on with the war to show that we are
big and strong enough to force them to
be governed against their ongings for
freedom and independence Further war
is unnecessary except On the assump-
ton that we have no intention to give
them an independent government.
Approach the problem any way you
may, it ever harks back to a question
whether it is Our policy to subjugate
Or to free the islanders. We are opposed
to all further war because we are OPP
posed to the subjugation OF the people
under foreign yoke; we propose
cessation of slaughter, because we be-
lieve that the Filipinos are and OF right
ought to be free and independent I'M
der a protection by the United States
which will save them from foreign ag-
erosion.
"They tell lis there is nothing now to
be done. Is it nothing to change war to
peace? Is it nothing to stay the horri-
bic slaughter OF natives? Is it nothing
to stop the operations by which Our
brave fellow citizens are killed by bullets
and by equally deadly disease? The as
SIM otio,, that t1,e ,vor &c inev;+,1,1a &c
gratuitous. If we have not promised
the natives free and independent gov
ernment try that at once. That is the
crux OF the whole matter. So, when
they tell us there is nothing now to be
done, l say the principal thing remains
to be done-to assure the Filipinos as
to the policy OF the United States in re-
gard to their liberty. When Burke was
laundering in the commons for the con-
citation OF the colonies King George
held that nothing could be done until
the American colonists were subdued
Had King George granted lis local self
government there would have been no
war OF the revolution. There was a
great deal that King George might have
done that he did not do. Indeed, there
is a great deal for the United States to
do, now and at once, in the Philippines,
unless we wish to repeat the obstinacy
OF the house of Hanover.
They tell us we are disloyal if we