Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-11-17
LEVEL HEADED DEMOCRATS.

The opposition tothe Philippine policy
of the government finds no sympathy
with a great majority of the level headed
and clear minded democrats. This is
well illustrated III the case of the Phila-
delphia Times, Col. McClure's demo-
cratic paper. He says:
The four commissioners appointed by
the president to make careful examina-
ton and report on the condition of the
Philippine Islands and the policy to be
adopted by our government have just re-
ported to the president. The commission
dispassionately reviews the circumstan-
ces which led to wal with the insurgents
under Aguinaldo, and for the first time
we have a complete and unanswerable
presentation of the treachery of Aguin-
aldo, and the anarchy that would surely
prevail in the islands if the Aguinaldo
government was recognized.
The report of the commission is very
carefully prepared. and the fact that its
recommendations are unanimously ap-
proved by all of the commissioners, in
Guiding Admira! George Dewey, will go
far to resolve the doubts of many good
citizens in favor of the policy of the ad-
ministration in prosecuting the war and
holding the Philippine Islands az an
American colony.
Norman understands the situation there
better than Admiral Dewey, and no
mans judgment will carry such weight
with the American people. He is posi-
tive in the declaration that the war was
causeless on the part of Aguinaldo; that
it must be prosecuted until Aguinaldo
and his power are destroyed, and the
surrender of the Philippine Islands, or
any part of them, is a question that can
not be accepted without remanding the
Philippines back to anarchy. and with
out our dishonor in the estimation of
every civilized nation of the world.
The statement of the commission as to
the value of the islands will be received
with very general confidence by the
American people. They point out their
inestimable value to this country be-
cause of the immense commerce and
wealth they would produce under a
stable government, and in view OF the
probable complications growing out OF
the efforts of other nations to enter
China, the Philippine islands are the
most important strategic point we could
hold. While now, as ever in the past
there are intelligent and conscientious
men who grumble at the expansion OF
our territory, the great mass of the
American people are more than willing
to hold on to the Philippines, not only
because of the many material advantages
they offer us, but also because it has be
come our duty to give them free govern
ment and the fullest protection to per
son and to property.
The Philippines were won by the valoI
of the American army and navy and tn
treaty of peace that followed the victor
les of our flag in the far East, and tn
party or the public men who propose tx
haul down our flag and remand the
boundlcss wealth of the Philippines t.
the barbarians who have ruled in mur
der and theft for more than three cen
turtles will be overwhelmed by the patri
otto sentiment of the country. The Phil
ippines came to us without seekinI
them. They are ours by the doubl
right of conquest and purchase, and the
are ours also for the performance of
great national duty-that of ending tn
fendish anarchy that has ruled ther
through many generations, and that ca
be halted only by establishing the hu
name government that will relieve tn
people from oppression, and give oppol
tunity to the better elements of tn
natives.
What Admiral Dewey advises abou
the Philippines will be heartily accept
ed by the nation, and he is emphatic j
demanding that we shall vigorousl
prosecute the war against the insurgent
and overthrow the barbarous anarch
that insurgent authority would give t
the long-sutfering people of the island'
The flag will stay in the East.
SENATOR M,cuMBER IN WAst,