The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-08

opportunity now. but they are not inn
proving it. The trusts will fall when
the gold standard is overthrown and not
until then. The gold standard means
falling prices and falling prices will
create trusts more rapidly than any gold
standard party can destroy them.
The second point of attack is the
ratio. Why insist upon 16 to I, / ask?
| reply first because it is the best ratio.
and. second, because its opponents have
no other ratio to offer. No free coinage
law can be enacted until ratio is agreed
upon because the ratio is Il part of the
law. Suppose we had majority in Con-
gress favorable to bimetallism, but diff
fering as to the ratio? Some would fa-
vor Is to /, some "A to !, some 80 to /,
and some even higher ratios: how could
we make progress under such condi-
tons? Affirmative relief is necessary,
and those who favor remedial legislation
must secure a majority in both House
and Senate for some definite proposition
The gold bugs understand this; they
know that an ambiguous platform is
equivalent to gold standard platform
Mr.. Cleveland was elected in 1892 upon
q platform which declared for the use
of gold and silver as the standard money
of the country, and for the coinage of
both gold and silver without discrimina-
ton against either metal or charge for
mintage. and vet Mr.. Cleveland found
no difficulty in supporting the single
gold standard. The Democratic party
will not return to the days of uncertain
ty and evasion. When the opponents of
16 to / agree upon another ratio it will
be time enough to compare the merits of
the new ratio with the merits of the old
ratio. But they will not be permitted to
suspend the party in mid-air. out of the
reach of 1G to / and out of sight of any
thing else To surrender the ratio is to
accept the gold standard as final.
''The Chicago platform was good when
it was adopted; it grows better with age.
1t was strong in 1896; it is stronger now
But enough Of old issues; what of the
new questions? Our party cannot ignore
the issues raised by the war. 1t must
speak out against militarism now or for
ever hold its peace. A large standing
army is not only an expense to the peo-
pie but it is a menace to the nation. and
the Democratic party will be a unit in
opposing it. -
"a word in regard to- Imperialism.
Those who advocate the annexation of
tlle Philippines call themselves expan-
sionists. but they are really imperialists
The word expansion wcufd describe the
acquisition of territory to be populated
by homogeneous people and TO BE- carved
into States like those now III ex-
istence. An empire suggests
variety in race and diversity
in government The imperialists do not
desire to clothe the Filipinos with all
the rights and privileges OF American
citizenship; they want to exercise SOW
ereignty over an alien race and they
expect to rule the new subjects upon
theory entirely at variance with consti-
tutiOnal government. Victoria is Queen
of great Britain and Empress of India:
shall we change the title of our Execu-
tive and call him the President of the
United States and Emperor of the Phil
ippines?
''The Democratic party stood for the
money of the Constitution in 1896; it
stands for the government of the Con-
stitution now. 1t opposed an English
financial policy in 1896; it opposes an
English colonial policy now. Those who
in 1896 were in favor of turning the
American people over to the greed OF
may now be willing to turn the Filipi-
nos over to the tender mercies of mill
tary governors and caepet-bag officials.
''rhose who in 1896 thought the peo-
pie of the United States too weak to
attend to their own business may now
think them strong enough to attend to
the business of remotAand alien races;
but those who in 1896 fought for inde
pendence for the American people viii
not now withhold independence from
those who desire it elsewhere.
I'VE are told that the Filipinos are
not capable of self-government; that has
a familiar ring. Only two years ago ]
heard the same argument made against
very respectable minority of the people
of this country. The money-loaners,
who coerced borrowers did it upon than
theory; the employers who coerced their
employees did it for the same reason.
Self-government increases with partici-
patton in government The Filipinos
are not far enough advanced TO share
in the government of the people of the
United States, but they are competent
To govern themselves. 1t is not fair
to compare them with our own citizens
;
educating themselves in the science of
government for nearly three centuries.
and while we have much to learn, we
have already made great Improvement.
The Filipinos will not establish a per-
feet government, but they will establish
government as nearly perfect as they
are competent to enjoy. and the United
States can protect them from molesta-
tion from without
"The Reublicans of Illinois, of course
will not expect the Filipinos to select
Legislature equal to the last Reublican
Legislature in fidelity to the public we'd
fare. Illinois became State nearly a
century ago and the Legislature which
enacted the Allen law was as it We're
the ripened fruit of long experience.
Give the Filipinos time and opportunity
and, while they never will catch up with
MS. unless we cease TO improve, yet they
may some day stand where we stand
now
What excuse can be given for the
adoption of colonial policy? Secretary
Gage disclosed the secret in
his Savannah speech. | think we might
be justified in calling Mr.. Gage the
key-hole of the Administration because