The Irish standard., 1899-05-27

criminal aggression. For our war
against the Filipinos gives the lie to our
professions and history for one hun
dred and twenty years, it repudiates
the principles OF our Declaration of In
dependence, it condemns the guiding
motives OF Our war OF emancipation, it
undermines the groundwork OF Our ma
tional existence, it is opposed to the
teachings OF Washington, of Jefferson
and OF our own immortal Lincoln"
Cheers, loud and prolonged, again
burst from the audience, which gave the
speaker close attention.
"Our bungling course has already
produced irreparable damage" the
speaker went on. "The glamor of VIC
tory will not dry the tears OF the moth
ers, widows and orphans whose dead are
buried in Asatic soil The survivors OF
our army will bring home filthy diseases
that will faint the blood OF coming gene
rations. But the greatest damage is to
our national honor, to Our reputation as
a humane, ireedonl-lovirg and Christian
nation. The yellow press is frantic with
delight because the poor Filipinos are
begging for peace. But has it counted
the cost OF this victory, if victory it
should turn out to be? l am reminded
Of Pyrrhus, the Sabinian king, who after
defeating the Romans in fierce battle
with enormous losses in his own ranks
cried out: One more such victory and
| am lost | love my country as love
my life, but I say: Heaven grant that
America be saved from more such VIC
torious wars. Heaven grant that there
shall be no further descent on the to-
boggan slide Of national degradation!
Some time ago the imperialists began
to realize what a mess they llade made OF
this whole miserable business. The
dread reality OF the situation awakened
them from their dream OF aggrandze-
ment. The administration, | am in
formed, has been anxious for some time
to let go Of the Philippines, but were
praying for somebody to show them
how. Will they take the opportunity
offered by Aguinaldos seeking peace?
Or will our pious imperalists say that
the God OF Battles who has given them
victory has bid them put their iron heels
upon the nccks OF the vanquished?
There is yet time to make honorable
amends. Let not foolish pride or the
consideration OF politics keep this great
rlation from acknowledging that I'M
perialism is an awful mistake for lis.
Let justice be done though the heavens
fall. Let us have no thought OF treating
the Philippines as 4 subject colony. Let
congress at the earliest practicable mo-
ment pledge this country to the recog-
milton OF the independence OF the Fill
pinos upon just terms and conditions
and as soon as they can establish an
orderly government. Let us, by diplo-
matte agencies, procure the common
consent OF nations to keep hands off the
Islands. Let us stand by them, not as
their rulers, but as their friends, while
they need our protection and while they
recover from the wounds we have in
fiicted. If we do this, we shall yet be
able to procure all the commercial adj
vantages which the ownership OF these
islands could possibly secure to lis with
out any OF the burdens OF governing
them. Let them be happy in their own
way and let lis not enforce upon them
happiness according to our standard
Let us remember our own struggle for
independence and have sympathy with
them in theirs. Let us not in Asia make
distinctions OF race and color which our
fathers have shed their blood to stamp
out at home.
What William Lloyd Garrison said
in the cause OF abolition is equally true
today in the cause OF anti-imperialism:
"Thay tell ME, liberty, that in thy name
| may not plead for all the human race,
That some are born to bondage and dis
grace
Some to heritage OF woe and shame
And some to power supreme and glori-
Gus fame
With my whole soul spurn the doc
trine base
And, as an equal brotherhood, embrace
All people and for all fair freedom
claim.
Know this, o man! Whate'er thy earth
ly fate
God never made tyrant nor slave.
Woe then TO those who dare to dcsecrate
His glorious ilnage-for to all he gave
Eternal rights which none may violate,
And by mighty hand the oppressed
He yet shall save"
GREATLY SURPRISED.