Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1899-09-14
Mckinley and His Flag.

S'o WIZ UC 'io iuItIIcT uCLIOu Oh mo-
ment, Of course, in the Philippines until
the dry season begins in October, says
the Iconoclast. AT that time, we are in
formed, our various armies will land upon
all sides OF the island at once, nutcherng
their way TO junction at the center. BY
this means it is hoped to catch and hang
Aguinaldo and place his people forever
under the dominance of the synhicates
which are insisting upon the prosecution
OF the war. Not less than $3.50, 600, 900 a
year, Or nearly 100000 day, it will
cost us before we have finished with it.
We are likely TO find that when we paid
$4,000, goo for succession to an insurrec
ton we were buying cheap goods for
much money. The closing months Of the
year, 1899, are certain to witness the
American republic engaged in the pcrpe-
lraton Of the greatest crime of its history.
That is crime certain to react upon the
country and bring its own punishment.
The men engaged in Asiatic bnicl,ery
have given too little thought to the curse
which that bUtrhery is certain to entail.
Every instance in the history Of the
world goes to prove that the nation which
SO forgets its ideals and traditions is made
to rue bitterly its departure from right.
The punishment may be delayed, but it
is inevitable.
Meantime Mckinley, champion light
weight OF his section Of Washington, has
been furnishing us with a remarkable
spectacle over in York state and there
abouts. lie has made half dozen
speeches to the cottagers at the several
resorts, and from the opening to the clos
ing sentences he has not done anything
save cavort about the platform and wave
the flag. 1t has been his eXordium, his
peroration. his argument, his deduction,
his entire stock in trade.
When asked by people or press: "Why
did we Fay $40 ,000,O tor the Philippines
if they were GUS by right Of conquest ?"
he says: "If any man attempts to tear
down the flag, shoot him ON the spot"
When asked: "Why did we refuse to
give these people an inkling OF our inten
ton concerning them? Why didn't you
tell them, as you told the Cubans, that
they would be insured an independence? p
he says: "Where that starry emblem OF
the free has been planted, there it shall
remain through unchanging suns"
When asked: "Why did you refuse to
recognize the Filipino envoy? Why did
you refuse to announce Il policy to the
senate? Why did you instruct Otis to
deny all assurance to Aguinaldo?" he
says: "Forever float that standard sheet,
where breathes the foe but falls before
u.s."
When asked: "Do you or do you not
intend to grab those islands and make
them permanently part OF this coun'
try ?" he says: THAT cleaning gonfacon.
that brilliant emblem Of all which is
highest and best and noblest and truest
and most valorous, shall cast it's shadow
upon the Asatic waters and tinge them
with a glory as from the burst OF the
rising SUM-"
This is all highly satisfactory-to Nc
Kinley, who for thirty years has been
wildly intoxicated with the sound OF his
own voice. II can hardly be considered,
however, a pertinent response to the
} queries that have been thrown at him
again and again.
McKinley's answers TO the questions Of
a somewhat anxious nation OF taxpayers
are strongly reminiscent OF the remarks
of the Arkansas attorney who was defend.
ing that notable citizen, Colonel Yell.
at is true, yo' honah an gentlemen Of
the jury" he said, "that Colonel Yell
, was unable to tell the committee OF de-
positors Just whur was the missin' :unds
} of the Yellville national bank, but
suls, his remarks bout patriotism an
, the flauntin' folds Of tn American flag
was credit to Ye!lville an to Vel
county,"