The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-05-26

of Yorktown, and suppose that such
an undesirable elimination had been
precede d by an attitude Of fear, sus
picion and dislike what would have
been the result?
We freely admit that the question
involves very grave issues, issues far
graver than any Of the applauders OF
Aguinaldo have ventured to suggest;
but before they can be settled, before
they can be nationally considered on
their merits, the Americans must dis
p,fe of those rspacious elements
which have involved the safety of our
troops and the peace Of the islands.
The Democrats advocated the rati.
fieation OF the treaty Of peace as con-
dition precedent to the settlement Of
the issues involved; the members OF
the Republican anti-expansion league
not only opposed ratification, but sent
lobby to actively work sgSiost it.
We have never been fully able TO un-
derstand their motives in this matter;
we have never been able to see any
solid or substantial basis for their
wild and strenuous cries.
In this. as in all other questions af-
iecting the people, one thing must be
settled a. time We cannot jumr
faster than events; we cannot cut
loose II ON p position into which event,
have forced us. When did it happen
that the people OF this country coulc
prevailed upon TO settle great ques
tion before IL is brought before then
in its entirety? When did it happier
that they became incapable Of settling
question satisfactorily to themselves
without calling into play a species o
partisanship at one furious and unpa
triotic?
1t is one thing to sympathize. will
the hopes and destinies of the people
who inhabit the Philippine islands
and another and quite different thinI
to permit them and the foreign inter
ests there to fall prey to the scheme
of Aguinaldo. He is highly educated
very completely civilized, it is said
Well. what OF il? We have neve
heard that education or civilization
was capable of tanning the real natur'
OF man Some of the biggest rascall
in our own history have been so high.
ly accomplished that you could serap'
civilization off them with stick, be-
ing as amehable TO removal as any
other species OF veneering.
We re3eat that the question of ex
pansion Is one by itself, AMI bears M
Ieasonable relation to the question
whether we shall compose the present
difficulties on the islands and restore
all interest there to a state OF peace
and contentment. No doubt there are
individuals on the islands who will
refuse TO be composed, and who. tak-
ing the cue given them from Boston,
will continue to regard themselves as
the victims OF oppression But the
question is not one Of indiv dua s, or
groups; II is question involving all
the interests of all the is ands, inter
ests Of fore gners as well as natives.
When this is accomplished then will
arise the que tion Of occupation the
question of expansion, imperialism or
whatever it may be called, Tha. will
be a matter for congress a. the peo-
pie to settle. Should the present con
eress fail to settle IL according to the
American ideas OF right aud jastice,
then it will come before the people
next year, and the issue will be a very
important one, for 1t will deal with
doctrines and principles " hich involve
the fundamental ideas Of our gov rn-
ment. When that time arises Mr. At
kinson and is noisy crowd win be
found acting with the Republicans.