The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-25
AN ATTACK ON PRESIDENT
CONTINUED from First Page)

aggressive policy. that of the permanent
annexation to this country of the Philip
pines, and forced it through the Senate
with all the power and influence which
his high office enabled him TO employ.
'"Ihe Presidents first impression was
to demand of the Filipinos simply
coaling station, Il measures amply suf-
ticicnt for all of our legitimate purpos-
es, and the evacuation Of the islands by
Spain without compensation by the tax
payers of the United States. Had he
adhered to this, however, all would
have been well.
''But the President committed fatal
error He wrote into that treaty the
absolute transfer Of Spanish sovereignty
/ over the Philippines to ourselves and
the payment Of S20.000,000 as a consid-
Grafton for the ccSSion. Then he issued
to the people of the Philippines that pro-
clamation in which he Informed them
that the United States had succeeded TO
the title of Spain, declared that the
Government and control Of their terrific
~ belonged to MS, ordered them to pay
their taxes to the Military Government
which he established over them. and
blandly made known to them that our
mission in their midst was one of benev-
B oiNit tNSiiHiittiois
"The President drove the treaty
through the Senate by the unlimited
exercise of all these powers and influ-
ences which the great office he holds
makes possible.
''No one can honor more profoundly
than | do the officers of our regular
army and navy, but their predictions
are naturally for arms.
again we have been assured that the
demand of our peace commissioners at
Paris 10 hold the Philippines is what
induced the President to yield. SO far
as one of the commissioners is concern
ed we know that this is false, But even
if this statement were true, the consti-
tutional power to negotiate was his, not
the commissioners. They were simply
his instruments appointed to carry out
his will The wrong was with the Chief
Executive He, and he alone, is re-
spOnsibe.
Mr.. Chairman. in my humble opinion.
the reason for the change in the Presi-
dental policy was his concession to the
selfish capitalists of the country. his
surrender to their demands. These are
the gentlemen who furnished the money
for his nomination and election and who,
| doubt not have pledged him re-nom-
nation and reelection. These are the
gentlemen who are already Selling upon
valuable franchises in China, in connec-
ton with the English syndicate. with a
member of Parliament from Wales at its
head. These are the gentlemen whom
Lord Beresford has in mind in his cor
dial but not wholly disinterested invita-
ton to an alliance in China with Great
Britain, Germany and Japan. against
Russia and France, the old time enemies
of his country and the old time friends
of ours.
These are the gentlemen who are al
ready grasping special privileges in the
Philippines in Cuba and in Porto Rico.
1t was, | imagine, for their especial bene-
fit that the President created his advis-
DRY board at the War Department. COM
posed of three American citizens, their
object being to farm out valuable privi
leges and immunities which should be-
long to the people of those islands them
selves and in whose disposition they
should have voice, if their government
is to be free and their rights maintained
| have no fault to find with the spirit
Of legitimate American commerce. My
contention is against the spirit of Am
erican greed which cares nothing for the
spirit of American liberty.
and what do these gentlemen pro-
pose? To amass colossal fortunes in the
islands by virtue of their franchises and
upon the cheap labor of the native popu-
lation, not one dollar of which will ever
find a lodging place in the pockets of the
American people To enable them to
do this, our whole population is to pur-
chase their field of operations for them
in the Philippines for the round sum of
S20,000.000 and is TO be taxed intermin-
ably and excessively in the creation and
maintenance of a great army and navy
which is to conquer and hold the Fill
pinos in subsection and defend the is
lands after they have been extensively
fortified against the assaults of the
great European nations with which our
new foreign policy will be certain to
bring us into frequent contention.
What else is upon the programme of
these gentlemen? The open door in the
Philippines, making it totally impossible
forever to discriminate in tariff duties
there in favor of the products of the
American farm and the American shop.
What is the other sacrifice that is
required? That the annexation of Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines, absolute
ly sure to come at an early day. For
they have registered il in their vows,
shall precipitate the SUGAR, tobacco.
hemp and other cheap products of thes"
islands and Hawaii upon the American
market in free and unrestrained compe-
tition with the agricultural and laboring
elements of our own country.
This policy, sir, would have been free
trade in William Jennings Bryan. What
is it in William McI<inley?'
As Mr. JohnSOu took his scat Mr.
Hamilton, rep, Mich.), arose and ex-
citedly asked for the reading of the
Presidents Boston speech.
Il am perfectly willing" said Mr..
Johnson. Il want it read and printed
in the Record"
"The people have already read his
speech" shouted Mr.. Hamilton.
Yes. and they will damn him for it,"
retorted Mr.. Johnson.
Mr.. Rhea, (Dem., KY, said he was
tired of the vacillating policy of the
President. Whenever the opposition as
sumed the temerity to inquire into the
purpose of the President they were way