Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-10-19

Il
that our forces ought not to be in the
Philippines but as they are there you
wish the entire subjugation of Aguin-
aldo and his cut-throat clan; that our
present fight against them is contrary
to the Declaration of Independence
but it is now too late to hsggle over
the present conditlon-we must either
be victorious or retreat in disgrace.
II we consider the Philippine ques.
tion in the light of true statesmanship
we would fear be obliged to discard
your maxims.
True craftsmanship is guided by the
eternal principles of truth and justice.
To true craftsmanship, that alone is
wise which is just; that alone endur.
ing which is right. The true states.
man builds his superstructure on q
solid foundation. Beneath the
quarrels and discussions of men he
would seek the natural law, for he
knows that the reign.of natural law is
not confined to the physical world, but
thatit just as certainly embraces the
social and moral universe, and that
social life and development have their
laws as fixed and uohengeable as
matter and motion. He knows that to
make social life healthy and happy
those laws must be discovered and
human enactments made to conform
to them. Hel knows that those
laws always conform with the moral
law and that in the life of nation
justice infsalfbly brings Its reward and
injustice Its punishment. If the
present administration of our govern
ment, by our public servants is wrong
in waglng war in the Philippines then
1t 1.-The bounden duty of every patri-
otic citizen to do what lies in bis
power to Get lt.right. The administra-
lion is composed of ordinary Ame7i-
[csn citizens AID are not infallible
YOU asem- to confound the administra-
tion of our government with our
country. No more dangerous maxim
was ever uttered than: "Right or
Wrong My Country" A republic that
would adopt and follow such q course
would soon evolve anarchy and bring
destruction. There is but one safe
and sure guide for the citizens of q
republic and that is the moral percep-
tions. There is a school of philosoph-
ers who contend that the moral per-
ceptions do not as certainly revolt
against iniquity as the intellectual per-
ceptions do against absurdity. Yet
those very same philosophers when
cornered in argument appeal to the
very tribunal they have attempteg, to
discredit, and talk of right aud w4oag
justice and injustice
If you believe the policy Of the ad-
ministration is wrong is it not your
duty as 9 patriotic citizen to use what
influence you possess to oppose that
policy? Because the administration
adopted an unjust policy at the be-
ginning is no reason why 1t should
continue it. If 1 robbed you yestes-
day must continue the robbery until
I have taken your last cent or else re-
tire in disgrace. That after our flag
waves in triumph over every foot OF
the Philippines, then you say let the
people form government of their
own. But why not let them form 1t
now, and stop this unjust and cruel
war? They are as capable of self
government now as they will be after
their subjugation. Let us not forget
that the gospel of deliveIanoe is the
gospel of love, not of hate. Liberty,
equality, fraternity: write them on
our national emblem; let them stand
for sign and countersign; let them
stand forth to lead the worlds hope
lead the worlds progress. Not by
"criminal aggression" and "tyranicsl
subjugation" but by examples of love
and justice. There is something
higher and nobler than the acquisition
Of dominion and the subjugation Of q
weaker people:
IF drunk with sight of power we looso
Wild tongues that have not .ied In avs
Such toAatibg ~ the Gentiles use
Qrleaser breeds without the law
Lord God of hosts be With us yet,
Lest W forget-Lest we torgetY
T. =. MoNAIiAN.
Washington. d. G.