The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-09-19
RUMBLINGS ABB BEARD M RBPUA
LTC8NS,

RUMBLINGS ARE HEARD M REPUB-
LTC1NS,
There seems TO be feeling among
the Republicans OF New England, es-
pecially in Massachusetts,, that the ad
ministration has succeeded in placing
on the partys back load that it can
not successfully carry. The lAtlsnts
Constitution says the evidence OF this
feeling crops out in the private con.
versation of prominent Republicans
men who by reason Of their official
connection with the party are com
PEELED TO make it their business to be
in touch with public opinion.
These statements are not made in
the ears of the regular and known
newspaper correspondents, but as
most Of the journals Of the day have
casual correspondents, IL is not won.
derful that limitations of the real sit
uation iind their way into print Thus
we find writer in the New York
Evening Post quoting the words Of a
member OF the Republican state com
mittee to the effect that 'unless Pres
dent Mckinley changed his Philippine
policy, he would make 4. very difficult
for the Republicans TO carry the pres
idential election next year" that "the
policy is drag on the party" and
that public sentiment all over the
country is already rising strongly
against the president Another Re-
publican, joining in the conversation,
insisted that "the party is already de-
feated beyond remedy in the contest
for next year" and that ''itis hopeless
for the Republicans to think Of elect
ing their ticket"
All this, OF course, is mere gossip
among Republicans holding official re-
lations to the party. They are
obliged to be sensitive to public
opinion, and their interest gives them
the knaclS Of promptly noting all the
changes. But II they, in their solicit
tude for success. wholly apart from
any principle involved, are outspoken
enough, even in private conversation,
TO display disgust at the administra-
tiou's policy, what must be said Of the
average Republican voter, who is
more solicitous about real American
principles than he is about the imme-
diate welfare of any party?
The truth seems to be that the dem.
ocrats have a great opportunity before
them II they will only take advantage
OF II. The Republican party has been
committed 10 course In the Phil
ippines that is daily growing more
unpopular. The administration eau
neither advance or withdraw without
iuhicting fatal wound on the party.
The mistake It has made has been in
insisting on a course which has left
the Filipinos no choice between a
continuation Of the war which they
unfortunately began and surrender
Of all their rights. They have no other
ground TO stand on. They believe arm.
ly that the end OF the war will leave
them the victims of foreign conquest.
Is not that, also. the belief of the ma
Jority Of our own people9 Is not that
the policy which the administration
and all its organs and supporters are
engaged in impressing on the country?
Now, in order to properly represent
the aims and objects Of the American
pople, IL Is not necessary for the
American troops to retire from any
position they hold or to cease defend
Ing thier flag with the vigor which
they display on every held. Itis only
necessary for the president, represent
ing the party in power. to announce
that the American flag does not repre-
sent one thing at home and another
abroad that wherever il Is planted
IL stands for freedom and human
rights; that occupation Of the Philip.
pines means the ultimate independ
enee Of the Inhabitants.
This announcement has not and will
not be made by the administration, for
IL is committed 20 polic- o. con-
quest in the aams OF 1rads, The dollar.
mark has been -SrlsteR Aeross che FACE
Of the dag in the Philippines, end this
unprecedented defacemsas OF the sym
Dol Of freedom -'ill be deeplr resented
by the people when they esme to un-
derstand the full,scope and meaning Of
the republican policy. Though con
gress made no declarations with re
speet TO the Philippines when It en-
tered upon war with Spain In the in
terests OF humanity, the omission was
due 10 the fact that no one could fore
see At that time that the duty OF Phil
fppsRe occupation would devolve on us.
The ~,igstions which humanity
thrust up51>us In Cuba are Ia nowise
different from our obligations in the