The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-10
!. TEN PAGES TODAY.
rHe cnY OF "rREAsoN.n

There IS certain class in this country
that IS constantly yelling treason a,
eyeryons who viii not meekly endorse
the administration in its every act in
connection with the present war in the
Philippines.
Mos; o. this class seem to vie one with
the other IL claiming that Mckinley can
do no wrong. II is treason, with them,
to eriticise anything he does. To use the
only unpatriotic. but abominably wicked.
The Post feels sorry for these GROWERS.
On this subject the National Christian
Citizenship League very truly and aptiy
says:
Let us examine ourselves, therefore. IN or
der that We may clearly see where, as a
Nation. We stand today. Is it well with US!
Can We haunt the nag with patriots prile
and at the same time stand unabashed in
the presence OF Godl
Let us remember that it was OF George Ill
and not of Cleveland or Mckinley, that the
coonsts complained: For depriying Us. In
many cases. OF the benefits OF trial by tuIy, "
Yet today the operation OF government by
Injunction constantly Iobs Americans OF
the rights of Jury trial,
II was the administration of George III In
their conduct toward tine colonies and not
OF Mchinley's in dealing with the Filiplnos
that complaint was made FOR suspendinS
our own legislatures and declaring themselves
invested with power to legisAte for us in all
cases whatsoever
1t was said: He has plundered our seas,
rasaged our coasts, burned our towns and
destroyed the lives OF our people,
All OF the ringing indictments made against
George in that declaration are lust. Yet both
the American and Filipino people would be
justified In charging Mckinley Tor his ad-
ministration) with the scif-same wrongs which
were CHARGED against George I2S years ago.
II this is true land who can refute IT'D il Is
neither patriotic nor Christian 10 rejoice over
1t We have recently seen quoted with par-
rot-like iteration the sentiment which the
writers seem TO think particularly fine:
My country NAV she always be right
but right or wrong, my country
Now. this is sheer atheism. III II mean.
anything 1t would Indicate approval of what
ever is done In the country's name flor III lse
who made the quotation take pains to show
that they think the country and the admin
istra;ion are convertible t7rmsI: In short.
they hold that this administration cmb ode
the qualities formerly Inscribed to monarchs
Tho king can do no wrong" II. therefore.
our conscience recognizes that wrong Is ho-
ing done 1t must be stfied
Commenting on this the indianapolis
Seminal urges, and with force, that the
very object of n republican form of gov
eminent is to have the people control the
policy OF the country, and II you assume
that 1t is the duty OF the people to indorse
everything that the administration does
you might as well abolish popular govern
ment altogether, The presidency OF the
United States Is high and dignhed posi-
ton, but 1t Is so because he is the agent
the servant-of free people. He is no,
tyrant over race of slaves. Every one
faf 10 l.,
voice in his own government, and as there
Is no obligation legal or moral that he
shall think as the president thinks. so
there is none that forbids him to speak
as he thinks. Each citizen has voice in
the government, and he cannot escape
the responsibility OF his power. He can
not be held blameless because he prefers
to accept the presidents ideas as his own.
and blindly follow wherever the president
leads. He has duty to himself To his
fellows, TO his country, that is higher
than the temporary allegiance he owes to
the officials In power, 1t is his duty
to obey the laws. II he considers them
authorized, or. IL not, to contest them
lawfully In the courts. 1t is not his duty
to support violation OF laws by officials.
And there is where the cry OF treason
becomes childish and silly. This is Nc,
kinley's war. He saw NJ to bring 1t on
According to the constitution congress
has the right to declare war, but congress
did not declare war against the Filipinos
It 10 true that congress approved the
treaty with Spain by which the Philippine
Islands We're coded to us, but that treaty
WAS forced on Spain by the president, and
almost equally forced on the United States
The whole pl .er of the administration
was used to secure the ratification OF the
treaty by congress. and the payment To
Spain OF $20.0Oo,Oo0 for her lost title to
the Islands. We should have been as
much iustined In purchasing from Spain
her title to Venezuela. Bolivia or Peru.
after they had achieved their independ-
ence. and asserting our own dominion
over them. But the earlier presidents
ware made OF different stun from Mr. Nc.
Ktnley. They were not willing to do n
;WfoRs. or TO violate the principles ON
Whiee our own government is founded.
eyen y order to get second term Of Of
A.. They were americans who believed
~ he American principles Of independ-
49, ard not In tho land Grabbing system
~ Great Britain and Russia. No Amerl-
- an lose caste BY adherlng to their
nqlples ana initiating their virtues.
~ -
amigrant Commissioner Powderly says