The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-19
IMPERIALISM BRYANs TEXT.
PHILIPPINE QUESTION SHOULD BE
SETTLED AT ONCE.

the People Is the Contention of
Anti-COIonIalists - United states
Cannot Carry ON n Colonial and n
Free GOvcrnment-Wbere RespOn-
sIbility belongs.
Ann Arbor. Mich, Feb 1s,-~Coi William
Jennings Bryan lectured on Imperial
ism" tonight before an audience of stu
dents, members Of the University of Mich
igan faculty, and citizens which taxed
tho capacity Of the big university hall.
1t Is seven years since the present leader
OF the Silver Democracy has visited this
city, and the students Of all shades of 20
ltical opinions gave him a noisy and en-
thuslastlc welcome on his appearance.
Col. Bryan's declarations I'm favor of in
dependence for the Filipinos under an
American protectorate brought out con-
siderable applause. Col Bryan said in
part:
1.-The President in his Boston speech has
declared that the future OF the Philip
pines Is In the hands of the American peo-
pie This is all that has been commended
for by the opponents OF tho colonial policy
outlined by those who have demanded
the Philippine Islands. II the matter Is
in tho hands of the American people, then
IL IS a subject for discussion by the Amer
lean people, and the only question to be
considered and decided Is whether the
permanent retention of the Philippine ISL
anda Ia desirable. And In considering
what is desirable we must consider what
Is best for the people of the United States,
a nd uJhu T.. hag far fHhnGsa
who oppose the colonial policy deny that
the adoption of such a policy by this ma
ton would be beneficial either to the
United States or 10 the alien race over
which our sovereignty would be extended.
should settle the Question.
THE sooner the question is settled the
better IL Is putting the cart before the
horse to say that the nation cannot re-
veal its purpose until the Filipinos lay
down their arms, If the nation would
declare It's intention to establish a stable
and Independent government in the Phil
ipplnes and then leave thaL government in
the hands of the people of the islands, hos
tlities would be suspended at once ana
further bloodshed would be avoided.
what would our colonlsts have thought
of demand on the part of England that
we FIRST Jay down our arms and surrender
30 the King, and then trust to the de-
csslon that he would make. Now that the
treaty has been ratified and Spain elm
mated from the question, the American
people are free to take ouch action as the
circumstances require. Shall our nation
enter upon a career of conquest and SUBJ
stitute the doctrine of force for the power
of example and the influence of counselY
Our forefathers fought for Independence
under a banner upon which was inscribed
the motto, Millions for defense but not
] cent for tribute And so those who
to-day not only desire American inde-
pendence, but are willing 10 encourage the
idea OF independence and self-goyernment
in other races can fight under a banner
upon which is inscribed similar motto,
Millions for defense, but not / cent for
conquest
Where Responsibility Lies.
Some Of the advocates of a colonial poll
Icy have sought TO lay upon those who
opposed the ratification of the treaty the
responsibility for the bloodshed around
Manila. While believed and stiIi believe
that II was better to ratify the treaty and
make the fight for Philippine independ-
ence before the American people rather
than through diplomatic negotiations with
Spain, deny that the senators who on
posed ratification were In any way respon-
sible for the commencement of hostilities.
THE responsibility rests not upon those
who opposed the treaty, but upon those
who refused to disclose the nations pur-
pose and left the Filipinos 10 believe that
their fight against SPAIN instead Of
bringing them Independence, had only
brought them change of masters. Ir
was the desire to be Independent that lea
the Filipinos to resist American authoritv
and their desire for Independence was nor
inspired by any American opposition to
the terms of the treaty. 1t will be re-
membered that the Filipnos issued a dec
laration OF independence last summer be-
fore the treaty was negotiated. Opposl-
ton to the treaty, therefore, could no,
have caused a desire for Undergraduates
which was expressed before the treaty
was made.
Carries Blame Way Back.
"If 1t Is wrong for anyone IN this co,,n-
try to inspire in other races a desire To-
self-government the imperialists cannot
conhne their reproaches 10 the living
They must lay the blame upon Anericar,
statesmen long since dead. Patrick Henry
was responsible to some extent, because
the sentiments expressed In his speech
have found Judgement in the hearts az aIl
the races. Washington must also be
Blamed, for when he drew his sword in
defense of the rights OF the colonists ha
gave inspiration to all similarly situated.
Jefferson was largely to blame because
the declaration of independence the work
of his pen, has been an Inspiration to the
Lincoln cannot escape his share of blame.
IL those are TO be blamed who have
aroused amous the oppressed a desire for
participation In the government under
which they lived. When the great eman-
cIpator delivered his speech at GETTYSBURG
and appealed TO the people OF the United
States to so act that "a government of the
people, for the people and by the people
shall not perish from the earth, he did
more to stimulate the desire for self-gov-
eminent than has been done by any other
public man in half a century.
Cannot Lead a Double Life.
1.-THE American people cannot apply the
European and monarchial doctrine of force
in the subJugation and government of alien
races and al the same time stand forth as
a defender of the principles embodied i'm
our declaration of independence and con-
stitution A man may live a double life
when only one Of his lives Is known. but
a.