The Irish standard., 1899-06-10
PROTEST FROM THE PACIFIC COAST
Basic Principles of the Republic
Grossly Violated.
THE TREATMENT OF THE FlLIPINOS
The Solution offered For This
Puzzling Problem.

lhe following sermon on the unchris-
tian treatment OF the Filipinos by the
Hanna Mckinley administration was re-
Gently delivered by Rev. N. A. Haskell,
pastor Of the Unitarian Church at San
Jose, California;:
The fundamental principle on which
our republic was founded, which is SOL
cnnly set forth in the Declaration OF
independence is this: "That govern
ments derive their just powers from
the consent OF the governed" l main
tain that our government could not take
one step toward the possession of the
Philippine islands before securing the
consent Of the Filipinos without vio-
lating the very principle in defense OF
which it deemed itself justified in wag-
ing against England its war of indie
pendence.
In this whole transaction the inhabi-
tants OF those islands have not been con-
suited. They have been sold like slaves
in the market. What right have we to
the Philippine soil? We hold it by the
law of might, against Which our nation
has given its protest before the world.
The people of these islands have no evil
dence OF any humanitarian purposes on
our part toward them. They know us
only as another tyrant, more powerful
than Spain, that has come to ensave
them. "Who are these Americans?"
Aguinaldo is reported to ask-"thcsc
people who talk so much OF freedom and
justice and the rights OF man, who crowd
into our islands and who stand as tho
Spaniards did, between us and liberty?"
Speak to them of our kindly intentions
and OF OUR love for them, and they point
10 the ashes Of their burned homes and
the dead bodies OF their wives and chill
dren We are hated as conqucrors when
we might have been honorcd and loved
as deliverers. Our war for humanity
ends in a cruel war OF conquest-a war
as needless as it is cruel-in violation OF
the principles OF our republic and OF
the spirit OF our age.
There is not on the face Of the earth
a people more kindly at heart or more
humanitarian in spirit than the Amcr-
cans-no people more highly cultured,
none who have reached higher attain
ment in Christian virtues Homes for
the sick and suffering are established
all over Our land. If misfortune comes
to any stranger near or far, the hearts
OF this people go out in sympathy and
proffcred help to that one How is it
that these tender-hearted Christians can
give their countenance and passionate
support to war that carries death and
desolation to thousands OF poor Filipi-
nos? And for what cause? If our
homes were attacked and liberties assail-
ed. we would face the horrors OF war
like true patriots in their defense But
why should we sail far away into the
tropics to slay the children of Our Father
in heaven, who are powerless to raise
hand against us unlcsss we voluntarily
seek them out and attack them in their
own homes?
There are effects OF war worse than
the immediate suffering it innicts. The
spirit Of war goes through Our land; it
enters every home; the hearts OF young
men, generous and noble; OF young
women, sweet and tender, are fired with
the spirit of hatred and revenge; our
own natures are brutalizcd by it and
dcmonizcd. The scene OF this carnage is
lar away Could we look into the faces
Of these dying mcn-could we hear the
pitcous cries OF these women and chill
drcn. our hearts would be soitencd, and
we should pray God to forgive our ma
ton for this wrong against humanity.
And now do you ask what solution
can be offered for this tremendous prob
lem? What way can be found that will
lead out of this jungle into paths by
which we may retracc our steps and re-
gain our national honor? The way is
not as difficult as it may seem, and may
be pointed out in few words. We
should end at once this war OF con-
quest. Alfred Wallace, the great natur-
alist, has spent much OF his life among
the Filipinos; he knows their character
and the ir country, and this is the sem
sible solution he offers of this issue in
which our nation has become involved:
DR.. Wallace says: "Surely it is possible
! for the Americans to revert to their first