Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-19
BRYAN LECTURES
ON IMPERIALISM
He lnStructS Students of Ann
ArbOr.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME
Tho President In His Boston Spccch
Admitted All That Opponents. of
imperialism Have Contcmdcd For
Tho Cart before tho Horse
Whcrcthe Responsibility Rests FOR
the Bioodshed Around MauiIn.
tBy Telegraph to v,rsinlan-Plo,3

(By Telegraph TO v,rEinian- Pno,)
Ann Harbor. Mich. Feb. 1S.-Colonel
William Jennings Bryan lectured on
Imperialism" tonight before an au-
diencc OF students. members of the Uni
versity OF Michigan. faculty and cIti-
zens. which taxed the capacity of the
big university hail. 1t is seven years
since the present leader of the silver
Democracy has visited this city. and
the, students of all shades of political
opinions gave him a noisy and enthusi-
astic welcome on his appearance.
Colonel Bryan's declarations in favor
of Independence for the F'ilipinos under
an American protcctorate brought out
considerable applause.
COLONEL BRYAN'S SPEECH.
THE President. In his Boston speech.
has declared that the future OF the
Philippines is in the hands of the
American people. This is all that has
| been contcnded for by the opponents of
the colonial policy outlined by those
who have demanded the forciDle and
permanent annexation OF the Philip
pine islands.
IF the matter is in the hands of the
American people. then il is Il subject for
discussion by the American people. and
the only question to be considered and
decided IS whether the permanent re-
tention of the Philippine islands is de-
sirablc. And in considering what is de-
sirable We must consider what is best
for the people of the United States. and
what is best FOR the Filipinos. Those
who oppose the colonial policy deny
that the adoption of such IL policy by
this nation would be beneficial either TO
the United States or to the alien race
over which our sovereignty would be
extended.
CART BEFORE THE HORSE.
"The sooner the question is settled
the better. 1t is putting the cart be-
fore the horse 10 say that the nation
cannot reveal its purpose until the
Fiipinos lay down their arms. If the
nation would declare its intention TO
establish n stable and independent gov
! eminent in the Philippines and then
| leave that government in the hands
of the people of the islands. hostilites
would be suspended ut once. and fur
Their bloodshed would he avoided. What
would our colonists have thought of IL
demand on the part of England that we
| first lay down our arms and surrender
to the King, and then trust to the
| decision that lie would make. Now
| wat Nilt treaty liS Dttll IalllltN anu
| Spain eliminated from the question, the
| American people are free to take such
action as the circumsta require.
| Shall our nation enter upon II career
| of conquest and substitute the doctrine
! of force for the power of example and
| the influence of counsel? our fore
| fathers fought for independence under
Il banner which was inscribed the
motto Millions FOR defense. but not one
cent for tribute And so those who
! to-day not only desire American in
dependence. hut are willing To cncour-
age the idea of independence and self
| government in other races can fight
under II banner upon which is inscribed
a similar motto: Millions for defense.
but not one cent for conquest.
WHERE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS.
Some of the advocates OF a colonial
policy have sought to lay upon those
who opposed tile ratification of the
! treaty the responsibility for The blood
shed around Marila While | be-
l!eved and still believe that it was bet
| ter to ratify the treaty ana make the
fight for Philippine independence be-
/ fore the American people rather zlnn
through diplomatic negotiations with
! spain deny that the Senators who
| opposed ratification were in any way
responsible for the commencement of
| hostilites.
The responsibility rests not upon
! those who opposed the treaty. but
| upon these who refused 10 disclose the
nations purpose ana left the Filipinos
! To believe that their fight against Spain.
! instead of bringing them independence.
! had only brought them change OF
| masters. l. WAS the desire II be inde-
| pendent that led the Eilipinos to res.s,
| American authority. ana their desire
! Tor Independence WAS not inspired by
/ \ ~. 81 Haal -. .aH
! OF the treaty. Ii will be remembered
| that the Filipinos issued a declara-
| ton OF Independence last summer he
| fore the treaty was negotiated. 0pDo-
sition To the treaty: therefore. could not
! have caused a desire for independeuce
which MAS expressed before the treaty
| was maze.
If il is wrong for anyone in this
| country 10 inspire in other races 4 de-
! sire for government. the lmperial-
| lists cannot coniine their reprolches to
the living They must lay the blame
! upon American statesmen long since
/ dead. Patrick Henry was responsible
| 10 some extent because the sentiments
/ expressed in his speech have found a
/ Judgment III the hearts of all the races
Washington must also be blamed for
! When he drew his sword in defence OF
/ the rights of the colonists he gave In,
| spiration 10 ali similarly situated. JEFF
! ier'on was largely TO blame because the
/ declaration of Independence. the work
| OF MS pen. has been an inspiration Ia
| the lovers of liberty in every cline.
| Ahraham Lincoln cannot escape his
/ snare OF blame, II those are TO be
| oiamed who have aroused among the
! oppressed ii desire FOR participation in
| When the great emancipation delivered
| MS speech at Gettysburg and appealed,