The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-02-10
We STAND
On Dewey's Platform as to the
Course Our Government
Should Pursue in Dealing With the
Philippines.

Since the Philippines precipitated
hostilitiee, there is only one course for
our Government to pursue, till peace is
restored and it's supreme authority
in the Philippines is recognized by the
Philippines. We must conquer their
armies ard restore order throughout the
islands.
But the question "a to what shall be
the final disposition of the Philippines,
is one on which the next Presidential
election may turn.
Congress will probably not have time,
before it's adjournmentto pass any law
outliving any line of policy. 1t should
agree upon some plan, but in probabil-
ity will not do 80. This will leave the
President to establish his policy, when
ever it may be. He will not call Con-
gress together, and will have until next
December, to carry out his views.
There should be at least a general de-
claratory resolution passed by Congress,
but such is the power, at Washington. oi
those who seem to be determined to
drive the country into policy of ex
pansion and COZ quest, that We doubt
whether such q resolution could pass.
We therefore believe that what the
President undertakes will become the
policy of the Government.
This will make it a matter of serious
importance to him, to decide what
shall be his policy.
A policy of cor quest cannot give any
popularity to his Administration at the
polls. Those who favor the policy
will support tie President for q second
term, whether he adopts that policy OF
not. On the other hand, there are hun
dreds of thousands Of Republicans, who
never knew what it was to be disloyal te
their party who yet believe it is yet more
important to be loyal to the fundamenta
principles of our Government, and they
spmpath;ze with the Philippines WHIT
desire An independent Government
They believe that it would be an evi
hour when our Government enters upon
career Of expansion and conquest. They
are conscientious in their beliefs, ant
act upon their conscientious convictions
Another large class looks with much dis
favor upon the heavy tax policy o
conquest and permanent control of any
colonies, would entail. They also look
with much doubt upon the propriety o
enlargipg our army, to the extent that I
policy of conquest would necessitate
They are opposed to policy Of conques
therefore, because of the evil effects i
would have upon our own country.
These two classes are very large
! We speak from personal knowledge. and
| from what we have read of the decla
rations of many papers and LEADING
Republicans who have expressed theil
views.
These classes many times outnumbel
the margin of difference between the
two psrties; and the arguments tha
influence them, will be potent with th'
people, in a political campaign.
The decision of the Administration
will therefor seriously affect the pros
poets of it's succession.
But the policy of the Administration
nor of Congress should be determined
by party or Administration interests
As Nation, we cannot afford to trea
such questions except from the stand
point of right.
The REPUBLICAN hopes the Presiden
\ will declare against permanent occu-
pa ion of the Philippines. and in favor o
granting them Independence, as soon a
they are fitted for it.
If our N Nation, with all its intelligence
its history, it's sacrifices for Liberty. an
its fun . mental p,inci ol.s as to th
rights of man, should turn back upo
these in foolish if not diehonorabl
| scramble after imperialism, it will SCUM
not only the knell of our Republic bu
will strike fatal blow at the aspiration
Of the people for liberty in all lands.
We are glad. therefore, to know tbs
| many leading men in the Senate wh
| ia vored ratification of the Treaty
favor the ultimate Independence of tn
Philippines. We believe it is the pos
ton of great majority of our people
We are glad to know that Dewey favor
this. And We cannot repress the hop
that it will be the policy that will b
adopted by President Mckinley.
A dispatch from Hong Kong, Mon
day, expresses the views of Dewey 6
follows:
seThe Admiral il not favorable to ar
nexation, but he believes in the gradus
withdraw al of the United States troop
BE also Gays the United States is moral
bound = establish stable goyernmeI
| in the p Philippines"