Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-02
BRYAN ON PHILIPPINE QUESTION.
Danger of Government by Force and
GunpOwder Gospel.

NEW YORK August William j.
Bryan discusses the Philippine question
in this weeks Independent. He says:
"The Philippine question is important.
because fundamental principles are in
volved in its discussion. There are two
sources Of government-force and consent.
Monarchies are founded upon force; re-
publics upon consent. The Declaration or
independence asserts that governments
derive their just powers from the con-
sent Of the governed, and this is the doc
trine to which we have adhered for more
than a century. 1t is the doctrine which
has distinguished US from European coun-
tries. and has made our nation he hope
of humanity The statue in New York
harbor typifies tho nations mission.
IF the doctrine set forth in the Decla-
ration OF Independence is sound, how can
we rightfulIy acquire sovereignty over
the Philippines by war Of conquest? IL
the doctrine set forth in the Declaration
of Independence is sound, how can We
rightfully purchase sovereignty from a
Spanish sovereign whose title we dis
jects we armed in the Philippines?
WHY SHOULDN'T FILIPINOS BE
FREE?
in the resolution of intervention Con-
gress declared that the Cubans were and
OF right ought TO be free. Why? Be-
cause governments derive their just pow
ers from the consent of the governed,
and Spain had refused TO respect the
wishes of the Cubans. If the Cubans
were and of right ought to be free, why
not the Filipinos?
I'm the beginning Of the Spanish war
Congress denied that our nation had any
thought of extending its territory by war.
III we then had no thought of securing by
conquest new territory in the Western
Hemisphere, why should we now talk or
securing in the Eastern Hemisphere new
races for subjugation?
IAN individual may live a double life
when only one life is known. When both
lives are known he can lead only one life,
and that the worst. A republic cannot
enter upon a colonial policy. 1t cannot
advocate government by consent at home
and government by force abroad. thu
Declaration of Independence will lose its
value when We proclaim the doctrine IA
mihar in Europe but detestable here, that
governments are round in shape. abou.
thirteen inches In diameter, and nred out
of cannon.
For more than a century this nation
has been travelling along the pathway
which leads from the low domain or
might TO the lofty realm of right, ana
its history has been without parallel III
the annals OF recorded time. what VIII
be our fate if we turn backward and be-
gin the descent toward force and con-
quest?
BENEVOLENT ASSIMILATION"
PLEA.
TT is not sufficient to say that the
forcibie annexation OF the Philippine Is
lands is benevolent undertaking. enter
ed upon for the good OF the Filipinos.
Lincoln pointed out that this has always
been the argument of kings. To Use his
words: They always bestrode the necks
OF the people not that they wanted to do
it. but because the people were better or
for being ridden
1T is surprising that any believer In
self-government should favor forcible an
nexation, but still more surprising that
any one who believes in the Christian re-
ligion should favor the substitution or
force for reason in the extension of our
nations influence.
IF we adopt the gunpowder gospel in
the Philippines, how long will it be before
that principle will be transplanted In
American soil? So long as our arguments
are addressed to the reason and the
heart our progress is sure; but can We,
without danger to Christianity, resort 10
the ancient plan Of injecting religion into
the body through bullet-holes?
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.
1.-THE question is frequently asked. What
can We do? Nearly two months elapsed
between the signing of the treaty and
the beginning OF hostilities in the Philip
pines. During that time the President
and Congress might have given the Fill
pnos the same assurance OF independ-
ence that was given 10 the Cubans. Such
assurance would have prevented blood
she'd II the doctrine OF elf-goyernment
is sound. the F1lipinos are entitled 10
govern themselves. and the President can
now promise them independence as soon
as a stable government can be establish
ed.
IF the President Is not willing TO take
the responsibility OF enforcing the doc
trine set forth In the Declaration OF In
dependence he can call Congress together
and let them take the responsibility. A
special session would be less expensive
than the war, not TO speak OF the prin-
ciples involved
Our nation Is protecting the republics
OF South America from outward inter-
ference while they work out their destiny
We can extend the same doctrine to the
and. having rescued the In
habltants from a foreign yoke, We can
guard them from molestation while they
develop a republic In the Orient they
will be our friends instead OF our ene-
mics. ve can send school teachers TO