The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1899-07-13

and consent. The monarchies of
Europe rest upon force and the
American Republics rest upon con-
sent. In Europe might creates right,
in America might is only employed
in the defence of right.
"If the doctrine of self-government
is sound, and no American has dis
puted it until within the last two
years, then what right have we to
enforce our sovereignty over an un-
unwilling people, merely because we
are stronger than they? 1t is no an
swer to say that we purchased the
title from Spain. because under the
doctrine of self-government sover-
eighty cannot be purchased from a
foreign ruler, and certainly we can
not defend sovereignty purchased
from Spain when we denied Spain's
right to govern the people Of Cuba
and armed the Filipinos against
Spain when we captured Manila.
When war was declared Congress
asserted that the people of Cuba
were and of right ought to be free.
Our Commissioners demanded a
treaty provision recognizing the in
dependence of Cuba, and the Presi-
dent has since assured the Cubans of
their ultimate independence. Our
Commissioners might have secured
independence for the Filipinos, or
if the President thought it easier to
accept the title and then quit-claim
to the Philippines he might have
given to the Filipinos the same as
assurance he gave to the Cubans. If
he doubted his authority to make
this pledge he should have taken the
matter to Congress and asked for the
authority. If he To-Day desired inde-
pendence for the Filipinos he can
call Congress together and recon-
mend such a pledge as he has given
to Cuba. If the policy of imperial
ism is defensible why hide behind
the pretense that nothing can be done
until the Filipinos lay down their
arms? If they are enlisted to inde-
perdence, and we expect to give it to
them, why not make it known at
once and thus end hostilities?
Are we ashamed of the doctrine
of government? Are we afraid
that the rulers of Europe will laugh
at us If we confess our belief in the
principle set forth by the fathers?
Has it come to this that we must so
shape our conduct as to meet the ap-
proval of those who repudiate the
principles of government to which
we are attached? We need not ap.
peal to Democrats. They cannot dis
pute the doctrine of self-government
without repudIating the authority OF
Jefferson. But we can appeal to Re-
publicans who still believe in the
principles of Lincoln. Let me repeat
the words used by him in the speech
of 1858: Now, my countrymen, if
you had been taught doctrines con-
fiicting with the great landmarks of
the Declaration of Independence; if
you had listened to suggestions
which would take away from it's
grandeur and mutilate the fair SYM
metry cf its proportions; if you have
been inclined to believe that all men
are not created equal in those in
alienable rights enumerated by our
chart of liberty, let me entreat you
to come back
Return to the fountain VIII ose
waters spring close by the blood of
the revolution. Think nothing of
me; take no thought for the political
fate of any man whomsoever, but
come back to the truths that are in
the Declaration of independence.
You may do anything with me you
choose, if you will but heed the sac
red principles. You may not only
defeat me for the Senate, but you
may take me and put me to death.
While pretending no Indifference to
earth honors, i do claim to be actu-
ated in this contest by something
higher than aa anxiety for office.
/ charge you to drop every paltry
and insignificant thought for any
mans success. 1t is nothing; / am
nothing; Judge Douglass is nothing.
But do not destroy model emblems
of humanity, the declaration of
American independence"
"For more than 100 years our ma
tion has been travelling the pathway
that leads from the low level of
might up to the realm of right, and
what history it has made in that
time! There is nothing like 1t in all
the annals of recorded time. If we
continue the policy that we have fol-
lowed in the past, the future will be
equally glorious. But what will be
the end if we turn from reason to
force, From persuasion to compul-
sion. What must we expect if we
substitute the javalon and the spear
for the pearls of truth? What is to
be the nations polIcy?. Will we en-
courage by example or control by
Self-government or i'm.
perialssm, which shall it be? Shall
we rule by love or fear? Shall we
convert and educate or shall we de-
spoil and destroy? ~
Let us give the Filipinos the same