Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-07-07
What the Flags Mean,


In your paper of the 10Th there APP
peared this note:
LET it be understood" writes a
citizen, "that some of US leave our
houses undecorated. not through accident
or Indifference. If we raised our flags
at all, they would be at half-mast, 10
mourning and honor for the brave
men,-the white men and the brown
men.-who are being slaughtered In the
Philippines
| Withheld my signature simply because
1t seemed unnecessary to obtrude my
personality on the public. The allusion
to half-masted flags was of course a
figure of speech. To follow it literally
would be a discourtesy which certainly
should not approve. But | see no dis
courtesy or improperly in declining to
Join In the honors to President Mckinley.
and in giving the reason. | have no
word of criticism for my neighbors
whose flags are identifying the town.
Some of them share my political senti-
ment. and the difference between US on
this occasions Is not in itself worth dis
cussing. But | speak my own feeling.
Today and every day my heart is heavy
with grief, shame and anxiety, when |
think of our country. We are waging a
wanton and wicked war. We are
abusing our national strength to subdue
a weak people CALAMITY struggling for
its liberties. We are sacrificing our sons
and brothers; we are spreading murder
and desolation among a people guilty
only of fighting for their independence
as our forefathers fought Now there
comes among us the man who as
president is distinctly and unquestion-
ably the responsible author and support
er of the war in the Philippines.
cannot find it In my heart or conscience
to pay him honor. He is public guest,
Jet him have formal and official
courtesy. But beyond that, stern
silence and Withholding of display or APP.
plause would most fifty express what
ought to be expressed. We are told. no
doubt correctly, that President Mckinley
is sensitive to public opinion, and in
going among the people is anxious 10
learn their views. Very good let US tell
him what we think of his public course,
in fit and civil fashion, but so plainly
that he cannot mistake 1t. Let the
citizens who approve his policy,--very
numerous, many of them very excellent
and patriotic men,-let them crown him
with college doctorates, and throng his
receptions, and cover their houses with
the nation cOlOrS. Inc natural mean
ing of it all is; 1--WE honor and ap-
prove your course: go on as you are
going Who can blame HIM If he so
interprets it, and goes back to Washing
ton confirmed in the belief that the
people of New England will support him
in pushing on the conquest of the
Philippines: That is Just what his po-
litlcal supporters want him to understand
by all these demonstrations of honor.
But why should those of US whose
deepest convictions and sentiments are
hostile to his present polcy,-why
should we swell the volume of applause
which will be understood in a sense
directly contrary to our desires?
am familiar with The distinction be-
tween the president In his official capacity
as the head of the nation, and the presi-
dent in his political policy, and | know
that this is the ground on which many
of his opponents unite in these demon
STATIONS. 1t is at any rate an amiable
impulse which controls them. And in
this whole bushes there is great deal
of the vast, unbounded, easy-going good.
nature which characterizes the AmerI-
can people. That, think, is partly the
light In which we must view today's
pageant. Our people are intensely fond