Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-09-29


Well Known Republican Statesman
shows That the War of SubjugatiOn
Now Being Carried on by the Adj
ministration In the Philippines Is
In Violation of Our National Spirit
and Constitution.
Below we print in full very re-
markable pronouncement against i'm
perialism from the pen of we'll
known Republican statesman, ex-Sen-
ator John B. Henderson of Missouri.
1t is in the form of letter in reply
to an imperialist friend, and is one of
the most able and eloquent indict-
ments against the un-American policy
of the administration that has come
under our notice for long time: Z.
In your very acceptable letter re-
specting the Philippine war you say:
I'VE not only know that the Fill
pinos are throwing away their lives IN
a contest utterly useless for the estab-
lishment of the purpose their leaders
have in view. hut we know also that
if this purpose should be achieved
they would themselves be far worse OFF
than the rule which we intend to bring
them
81 must thank you in advance for a
definition of what you assume to be
the purpose which the Filipinos have
in view They established proV1s-
ional government at Cavite in the
summer of 1898, in the presence Of our
army and navy, and issued to the
world a Declaration of Independence
much in the manner Of our forefathers
in 1776. This proclamation of their
purpose must have received not only
the approval, but the active encourage
ment and aid Of the American officials
then on the islands; for the soldiers
of this government, having been partly
by these officials, took their
places as our allies at the posts Of
greatest danger, with the sole object
seemingly of driving the Spaniards
from their country, and maintaining
the independence which they had thus
"If. therefore, the Filipinos are hon.
estly fighting for the establishment of
a government to be administered by
their own people, and for their own
freedom and happiness, then their
purpose must commend itself to you
as to all other friends CT liberty
throughout the world.
"Your second proposition is that If
he Filipinos were able to achieve
heir purpose, they would themselves
be far worse off than under the rule
which we intend to bring to them
II must take it for granted that you
mean self-government for the islands
that you would follow the unbroken
pledge to these new citizens of the re-
public all the guarantees of the federal
Upon their application
,ou would, no doubt, promptly admit
hem as states on an equal footing
With the As states now constituting the
Union. Their population is sufficient,
md they have sealed with blood their
levotion to freedom on hundreds Of
"The single island of Luzon contains
!, 100000 inhabitants, emitting it, un-
Ter our present apportionment, to II
,r 18 members of congress, and the
wo senators, as fixed by the constitu
ion. If it be your intention to accord
hese people the full rights of Ameri-
an citizenship, you but follow the doc
rines of the fathers.
Congress alone is authorized to de- |
lare war, under our constitution. Con- |
,reSS declared one war, but that was |
IgainSt Spain. That war has long since |
,een closed by treaty of peace. A war |
declared by nobody, but far greater in |
is proportions than the Spanish war. |!
till goes on in its relentless career of |
Hood and ruin. A whole nation of in |
loceIt people are being slaughtered, |
eemingly because their total destruc-
ion is necessary to the enjoyment of |
heir possessions - possessions whose
occupancy by Americans is absolutely |
orbidden by natures God. Why this |
var began is mystery; when it shall |
nd seems to depend upon the .discre-
ion of nerveless president. Unless
pecially called by the executive con-
,ress can not convene before next De-
ember. In the meantime we shall
ontinue to hear but cne side.
"On that side are Senseless appeals
o false pride and brute force-as that
he flag, wherever planted, must wave
orever. Admit this doctrine, and
England is now the lawful owner of
,uba and the Philippine Islands, for
he once took them from Spain and
Dated her flag ever both-if taking a
inge city means dominion over a con-
uuSl lCtdhC NJCAiCO anu SdI-
da. Who will dare haul down the
american ffag? If these people are to
'e American citizens. entitled to all
he civil and political rights given
hem by the constitu .icn. then the flag
o them may be a blessing.
''The flag and the constitution, how
yer, must go together Take away
he freedom which the flag symbolizes,
nd it becomes bloody rag, meaning
othing better than conquest and
lavery.
For what purpose, then, are we
onquering the Philippine people? And
low are they to be governed when
assed under the yoke of subjugation?
'hese are the great questions which
ooner or later we must solve for our
elves, and which the Philippine peo-
lie have propounded to our rulers. be-
inning with the president and going
own to the captains of the companies,
whose only reply has been to NOW
hem down by thousands with the de-
tructive arms OF modern science Shall
hese people be citizens of the United
tates, free to come and go from state
o state? Snail they be governed by
ocal legislatures of their own selec-
ion, represented in the federal con-
ress and clothed with all the rights
American freemen? Tell them this,
nd the war will close in an hour. To
III them less is to deny the theory
our government, to subyert the
OF American liberty, and
, enter upon system of Imperialism
5 fatal and as corrupting TO the gov
ming power as is personal slavery to
lie master
From these people We have con-
la IL. IL,
,ry. We hide from ourselves, and We
ide from them, the judicial interprc-
.tions of our own constitution, and
Ill them with brazen front that the
eclaration of independence and the
institution itself are but glittering