Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-07-26
'ESCH'S ELOQUENT LOGIC.
La Crosse Young Congressman on the Philip
pine Question Prom ! Constitutional Stand

point.
Extract from Congressman John J.
Esch,s Fourth OF July address at White
hall. Wisconsin.
On BIC anniversary of the signing of
| the declaration of Independence, the
question of expansion, in the light of the
principles enunciated in the declaration,
has peculiar significance. Many good
citizens object to the annexation and
government IF the Philippines by our
government as being contrary to the let
ter and spirit of these truths, that hay-
ing a right to liberty they have also a
Eight to self government and that until
their consent is given we are intruders
and oppressors.
In defense of the policy of the gov
eminent and expressing the sentiment
of "a great majority of our people, / con-
tend that we came rightfully into poss-
esslOn of these islands, not by one, but
by all the means recognized by the law
of nations, by conquest, by purchase and
by treaty. through these the sovereign
ty OF the Units. States supplanted that
OF Spain witaual II moments interlude.
There never No ldtlipino sovereignty.
The experl, lce . : mankind here and
elsewhere tel, -~s that there is yet no
such equality In life, liberty and pursuit
OF happiness as contemplated by the
fathers of the republic, that as society
Is at present constituted the right to the
self use of these God-given qualities ex-
lists, but their full exercise is nowhere
to be found.
To make therefore a full exercise of
these rights a test, and condition prece-
dem to the exercise by us of sovereignty
in the philippines is impractical, I'M
reasonable and impossible. Our stand
ing as a Christian nation ought to be a
sufficient guaranty that we will govern
without tyranny, leaving TO them such
liberty as is consistent with their own
well being and the honor of the United
States.
Our history in the past shows depart
ure from u high ideals as set forth in
the declaration. Its author, while pres
ident, purchased Louisiana and gave it's
inhabitants a territorial government
without asking their consent. Florida
and the great acquisitions of territory
from Mexico and Alaska were annexed
to our national dominion and governed
without consent of the native inhabi-
tants. The southern states through the
rebellion, were compelled to submit to
the doctrine that the union was one and
lndlvlslble. A parent does not govern
his children with their consent. A
teacher does not govern his school with
the consent of the pupils. For the same
reasons 1T would be impractical if not
impossible and disastrous to the natives
themselves to govern those with their
consent who are still children in their
ideas of civilization and pupils in their
ideas of government.
No one would be more ready than | to
concede them the fullest measure of
liberty In the conduct of their own af-
airs, but we ought not to relinquish
our control further nor faster than they
show a right disposition and suitable
capacity. Aguinaldo and his govern.
ment, so-called, representing but a small
portion OF the people of a single island
cannot give that consent which would
meet the test required by the declara-
ton. He is in rebellion against the
United States and the word ''insur-
gent" rightly fixes his status. If we
may believe the press he has abolished
his congress and rules as dictator. Shall
we then govern these islands upon the
consent OF one man and he a tyrant?
In the present crisis but one duty con-
fronts all patriotic citizens, to support
the administration in it's efforts to sup
press the rebellion and bring back peace.
When this shal have been accomplished
it will be time to discuss proper means
for the government of our foreign DOS
sessions and to declare our future pol
icy. As for myself / am of the opinion
that these possessions will remain be-
meath our flag and that each succeeding
year will prove the wisdom of our action.
l would not base our retention of
these Islands upon mercenary grounds.
We can occupy a higher position. We
can see In these recent events the first
gllmpses of manifest destiny. The
doctrine of isolation hitherto adhered
to, in the light of u present advance
ment and power is of supreme self
ishness. When Washington and Jeffer-
son warned our forefathers against en-
tangling foreign alliances they spoke to
a feeble nation surrounded by possess
sions belonging to the three greatest
powers of Europe. 1t required time
and peace for this feeble nation to grow
strong. Now that we are strong shall
we hug the Declaration of Independence
and the constitution and say to these
oppressed and benighted races of the
earth, these great instruments OF liberty
were only meant for us, we cannot af-
ford to bless you with them? Now that
millions of the downtrodden race have
come under u flag through the for
tunes of war and are looking to us for a
betternient of their condition shall we
abandon them to their fate or shall we
assume our burden? In the light of our
past history and Judging from the sent
iments which actuate as a Christian ma
ton l firmly believe we are not a race
of towards but a race whose destiny it
IL and shall be PLANT its footsteps or
the @ a and ride upon the storm"