Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-12-20
WEDNESDAY EVENING. DEC. 20, 1895
Tur DEMOCRATS in the Senate are in

THE DEMOCRATS in the Senate are in
decided minority and even among
tbose classed as democrats there are
savaral who abandoned their party ID
1896 and helped to bring the repuoii'
cans into power. Such was their re-
torn TO the party that had honored
tbem far above their deserts. And
now we have Others who are so anX-
ions to establish or rather TO recognize
the empire Of Mckinley the First, that
they vote with the republicans IN ia
hing q resolution of enquiry as to cer-
tain facts of the war, lest that should
imply thereby right on the part oil
Congress- to review the policy OF the
President. Never were American pol
itics so degraded as at present. 10 TINS
crisis o. our affairs it is pleasant tc
know that there are other Senators
who are ready to stand up for the Con.
stitu;ion and the rights of the people,
and to oppose this iniquity OF the Poll
ipoiue administration policy of con-
quest and annexation. Among these
senators Messrs. Tilman OF South Car
dina and Bacon of Georgia have come
to the front with resolutions defining
the proper policy ofthe o. s. covert
ment in the Philippines. Mr.. Tillman
declares that under the Constitution
the federal government has no power
to rule over colonial dependencies,
but is restricted in its operations TO
States as integral parts of the Union
and to territories intended for future
States. Therefore the retention OF the
Philippine Islands is opposed and con-
demned. Mr.. Bacon's resolutions also
strongly oppose the idea of maintain
ing permanent dominion over the Pall-
ippine Islands. Both resolutions con-
template applying to the Philippines
the same policy as has been formally
announced 10 respect OF Cuba and SOL
elmply pledged to its people by all the
powers of the government before the
world. Both Senators are to speak on
the subject. We honor them for their
efforts to oppose the infamous and cen
Trailing policy of imperialism. They
show that the spirit of liberty and the
love of constitutional freedom will yet
be maintained 10 the q. s. Senate, &c
spite the power Of administration pat
ronage. The great body OF the demo
cratic Senators will support these re-
solves. The democrats OF the land,
with few exceptions, chiefly traceaole
to recollection of past Presidential
fayors and keen sense OF favors to
come, are heartily in accord with the
spirit of these resolves. The people OF
Virginia are in favor of them. They
are not inoculated with the idea OF
British imperialism and OF subservency
to European methods and practices.
They are opposed to standing armies
and they have the sense to know that
imperialism distinctly and surely in-
wolves both great standing armies and
burdensome taxation. They do not
favor an increase, but speedy reduc-
ton of taxation. There is not dollar
of profit and nothing of honor for Vir-
ginia in all this vile business of colo
NAL empire. 1t is the duty of our Sen
ntors and Representatives to voice this
sentiment at the earliest opportunity.
The General Assembly of Virginia
should also speak out on this subject
and on all the other abominable repub-
lican policies of the gold standard, a
contracted circulation, trusts, combines,
great standing armies, and British al.
lisnce. The people should mark the
man who is neutral or silent on these
questions.