Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-12-14

Amsricauism Is Not Imperialism.

Americanism Is Not Imperialism.
The charge Of imperialism against
President Mckinley ought not 10 be
confourded with the doctrine OF an
nexation Of territory originally be-
longing TO or since purchased by the
United States Imperialism means a
kingly government; government in
the interest Of the crown at the ex-
pense Of the people. No act or word
Of President Mckinley has limited TO-
ward a doctrine Of that kind. On the
contrary, every word and act OF the
president has been the idea of Ameri-
canism; that Of self-government by the
American people and for the American
people, and this doctrine as shown by
the official record Of the president is
applied as much to our newly-pur-
chased possessions in the Philippines,
as in the original IS colonies, or in the
territory acquired by the Louisiana
purchase, the Gadsden purchase and
the territory acquired from Mexico
1t should be borne In mind that the po-
sition Of the president in his dealings
with the Philippines and the native IN
habitants OF those islands has simply
been the time-honOred American doc
trine of "enemies in war, in peace,
friends.
December 81, 1898 President McKin-
ley addressed letter to the secretary
of war, which may be found in full in
volume 10, Messages and Papers OF the
Presidents of the United States, page
2l9. from which we take the following
extract: with the signature OF the
treaty of peace between the United
States and Spain on the 10th inst, the
failure control, disposition and govern
ment Of the Philippine islands are
ceded to the United States. In fulfill
ment of the rights Of sovereignty thus
acquired and the responsible obliga-
lions of government thus assumed, the
actual occupation and administration
of the entire group Of the Philippine
islands became Immediately necessary,
and the military government hereto
fore maintained by the United States
at Manila is to be extended with all
possible dispatch to the whole OF the
coded territory.
"In performing this duty military
commander of the United States is en-
Joined to make known to the inhab-
itants of the Philippine islands that in
succeeding to the sovereignty OF Spain,
in severing the former political rela-
lions of the inhabitants and in estab-
fishing new political power, the su-
thority of the United States is to be
exerted for the security OF the per-
sons and property Of the people OF the
islands and for the confirmation of all
their private rights and relations"
Now will some gentleman, who is Ia
boring under some temporary aberra-
ton Of mind caused by the ghost of i'm
please state what more they
could ask from President Mckinley
than to guarantee that the authority
of the United States shall be exerted
for the security of the persons and
of the people OF the Philip
pines and for the confirmation OF all
their private rights and relationsY
In that letter to the secretary OF war,
the president further says;
ut would be the duty of the COM
mander of the forces in the Philippines
to proclaim in the most public manner
that we come, not as invaders or con-
querors, but as friends, to protect the
natives in their homes, in their en-
and in their personal and
religious rights. All persons, who,
either by active aid or by honest sub
mission cooperate with the govern
ment of the United States to give effect
to these benefcient purposes will re-
ceive the reward of its support and
protection. All others will be brought
within the lawful, rule we have as
sumed with frmness, if need be, but
without severity SO far as may be pos
sible."
The president further says in that
letter: Finally, it should be the
earnest and paramount aim of the mill
tary administration to win the conf
dence, respect and affection of the in
habitants Of the Philippines, by assur-
ing to them in every possible way that
full rule of individual rights and liber-
ties which is the heritage of free peo-
Piles, and by proving to them that the
mission of the United States is one OF
benevolent assimilation, substituting
a mild sway Of justice and right for
arbitrary rule. In the fulfllment OF
this high mission, supporting the tenn
perate administration OF affairs for
the greatest good of the governed,
there must be sedulously maintained
the strong arm Of authority to repress
disturbance and to overcome all obsta-
cles to the bestowal Of the blessings of
good and stable government upon the
people of the Philippines under the
free flag of the United States"
1t will be noticed that the doctrine
laid down by President Mckinley for
the government Of the Philippine
islands is precisely the same doctrine