Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-11-11

diplomatic power of this country, and II
was unbocoming in them to indulge in
bitter and singing invectives against
Spain, whether such invectives were
just or unjust. But l don't feel in
clined to judge these uttcrances severely.
Something. as Burke said, must be par
Ioncd TO the spirit OF liberty. and those
utterdnces. though in my judgment un-
fortunate. came from brave. humane and
liberty-lovins souls
Continuing, the senator says that down
to Jan. /, 1899. the American people and
the Republican party were committed
to the doctrine that just government
rests upon the consent of the governed
and that every people had the right to
dissolve al will the political connection
that binds 1t TO another people.
In dealing with Cuba" says the
writer we acted upon these principles.
but the treaty of peace disclosed diff
ferent purpose as TO the Philippines the
inhabitants OF which were much nearer
independence when the treaty of peace
was signed than ever had been the peo-
pie of Cuba, Their leader had been
brought over to the islands in United
States ship by the United States au-
thorities, and was in arms at the head of
his forces, with our full concurrence
and corporation. If the statement at
tributed to a high official in one of the
departments, who is sometimes called
upon to sit i'm the cabinet with the presi-
dent. was actually made, their leader
had been offered by President Mckinley
the high Office OF colonel in the regular
army of the United states. an Ofte:
which itself is Il sufficient rcfutatioE OF
All the charges against him. They had
framed a provisional constitution, a
model Of its kind, establishing dictator
ship like those established by Bolivar in
South America, to give place to a re-
public as soon as the military condition
should make it possible. Looking back,
can any sane man doubt the wisdom of
those who desired to amend the treaty
and to deal with the Philippines as we
did with Cuba, to compel Spain to re-
nounce her sovereignty; to keep off all
foreign nations. and to aid the islanders
in establishing their own government
according to their own desire"
The senator refers to the epithet
traitor and other harsh words applied
to those who voted against the peace
treaty. and asks: When the president
said that forci5le annexation, according
to our American code of morals, would be
criminal aggression. was he a copper
head? Was he disloyal to the flag?
Was not he a Republican? Was there
even an utterance SO calculated to give
courage to Aguinaldo and his people as
that?"
AS to our future attitude toward the
Filipino people. Senator HOar writes:
THE time has come to make up your
mind now. II you are to declare that
you do not mean to subjugate them or to
,nslave them, that you will act toward
hem on the principle and in the spirit
Of your own Declaration Of Indepen-
dence,, the war can be ended in an hour.
1he refusal to make this declaration in
the beginning of this war, and your
refusal now to declare yourselves is
what is alone responsible for its con-
tinuanCe.
Now we have got to settle the Ques-
ton which the president has repeatedly
declared is for congress or for the peo-
ple-whether We will undertake to gov
ern them as subjects or serfs. or whether
we will aid them to become selfgov-
erning nation. either as republican, as
they seem to desire or as a limited mon
archy, like Japan, Or whether they shall
exist hereafter as an absolute monarchy
after the fashion in which We are main
tanning in power today tn. Sultan of
Sulu. with his slaves and his harem.
The American people. the brave and
lust people. who made the immortal
Declaration Of Independence, and who
maintained it with life and fortune and
sacred honor, who established our won
derful constitution, to whose Monroe
doctrine is due the freedom of the
American continent from the Rio Grande
to Cape Horn, have not changed their
character OF their principles in twink
ling of an eye. under the temptation
of any base motive or personal advan-
tage. or under the excitement of war
They are subject, doubtless, as all mass
es of men are subject. however intelli-
gent or however upright, to great waves
Of passion.
But their sober second thought is to
be trusted. Their deliberate action will
be wise ana just. The great. passions
by which they are stirred and by which
their Judgment is now clouded are gem