The San Francisco call., 1899-09-27

ernment carries on the war in the Phlllu-
pines those who enlist are entitled TO the
same recognition and same honor, the
same loyal support from every citizen, as
would be accorded in any other war
While | should vote against every meas
ure looking TO a continuance of the pres
ent policy, nevertheless so long as the
war was continued or the policy was en-
forced | should give every assistance pos
sibe to the full support OF the Govern
ment and the full and successful prosecu-
ton of the war. This much is plain: the
duty of a citizen is always with his coun-
try. The further duty is also plain, that
where citizen does not believe that his
country is on the right side or pursuing
the right policy it is his duty with equal
vgor to labor for and advocate the return
of his country to fundamental principles
and right policy. Take the present situa-
duty of citizen to give all the support
outlined to the Government; where the
citizen believes that the continuation and
| ultimate establishment of the policy
sought would subyert democratic princi-
pies and weaken If not ultimately destroy
his Government. it is then the duty Of
such policy with even more determina-
ton, if possible, than he would resist a
foreign foe; for, while there is no appre-
henson that any foreign foe can destroy
this country II is admittedly true that
such result lies easily with the citizens
of this country
To those cheerfully assuming that lib
erty and democratic government can
not be in any danger we reaft1rm that the
old ana unQlSputed apOOrlSn IEdl 6lST-
nal vigilance is the price Of liberty" is
always true, and that this free and dem
ocratic people, with as much facility as
the republics of ancient times. may fritter
away and destroy a democratic Govern
ment even more rapidly than such a re-
suit was accomplished in former times
to destroy a free Government. They
never thought they were doing so un-
| til the destruction had been accom-
plished; and therefore in this regard the
utmost vigilance should be exercised; /;
even the appearance of evil in such a
direction should be avoided The pres
ent high and naughty assumption that
anything republican form of govern
ment has done or may DO is consistent is
to my mind the most dangerous and I'M
republican doctrine that could be dissent
mated.
The expansionists now generally concede
that if, as they state it, the fortunes Of
war and the requirements of duty had
not forced the Philippines upon US
it would be best if we were entirely rid
of the whole problem and responsibility.
AS to this idea of being in entire control
to assume position or policy contrary
to the real interest of the American peo
pie, such an assumption should be given
no countenance, and for 1t have little
respect. To the world and to mankind
and human liberty the condition and char
acter of the government in the Philip
pines is of little consequence, perhaps not
in a very great degree to the Filipinos
themselves, but in the preservation of
this government in it's simplicity and
purity, the whole world and the whole
future of humanity has deep and abid-
ing interest.
While no one would advocate any cruel
or inhuman policy or disregard of ma
tional duty, the assumption that national
duty lies along lines hitherto unfollowed
and inconsistent with our principles of
government and previous declarations is
most dangerous and destructive assump
ton. The whole contention that We are
carrying on a relentless war out of
sense of duty to people that we are
in arms against is so sophistical and IL
logical and well known by even ourselves
to be false. that it is a shame that so
frank frank people l1o SHOULD be driven to or
1t was said think, in France during
the Revolution with great truth, 20 lib
erty, liberty. how many crimes in thy
name have been committed" And to those
opposed TO the present policy one of the
most objectionable features is that we are
attempting to enforce our jurisdiction and
control upon an unconsenting people in
the name of liberty.
The poet wished that the gods could
''some good gift give US to see ourselves
as others see u.s." In this instance We
have practically an opportunity TO real
iZe the poets dream if we would avail
ourselves of it. For 300 years. and over
the Government of Spain, without the
consent of the governed, has extended its
jurisdiction to the remoteSt parts of the
earth. During all these years Spain has
pursued her course of greed and conquest
with the most fulSome pretenses of piety,
love and desire for the ameioration of
her subjects. AS very forcibly put by
Senator Thurston when he stood in op-
position instead of imitation of her un-
lovely policy qu1oting the substance of
what he said: Spain has set up more
crosses in more countries and under it
has aSsaSsinated more human beings
than all other countries. We have seen
her always proceeding in the name of
Christ and under the cross; we have seen
her in his name and under the cross ef-
face from the map OF the world whole
,F,as1 Ol.1f -,
Peruvians and Aztecs, bringing poverty,
desolation and death to untold millions
of people, all in the name of the Prince
of Peace and the author of human rights
and democracy, and under the emblem of
his rule and in solemn. holy and sacri-
legious pretenses of chriStianizng and
that they robbed, subjugated and de-
stroyed. The cross is dear to every
Christian, and the flag. to every Ameri-
can and every lover of liberty through
out the world. 1t does not better an un-
christian deed that it is done under the
cross; it does not improve an undemo-
cratic proceeding that it is conducted un-
der the American flag. The cross is the
emblem of morality and justice, the flag
of liberty and law. The cross and the
pretenses carried on under it deceive no
one as to the greedy purposes and en-
bilious designs of Spain. The use of
the flag we love so we'll and the pretenses
of human and democratic purposes but
family believed in the beginning and
doubtless to be wholly and practically
unreal1Zed In the end, deceive no one and
cannot relieve us, even in the forum of
our own conscience and much less In the
Judgment of the world from having de-
| parted from the high plane of humanity
that we have hitherto occupied among the
nations of the world.
1t is said that we mean to give the peo-
pie we subject good and just laws. | hope
If this policy prevails that some little of
this will be realized, but as far as we
have gone there seems little to expect or
hope for. 1t is well to remember, except
| from our own point of view that we are
not much better or worse than others
and that in our attempt to solve the race
problem in the South we have proven
more incompetent to handle and settle 1t
| than any other question with which we
have been confronted 1t is admittedly
true that 1T is the most perplexing and
menacing subject with which we are at
| tempting to deal, and it would seem an
unaecountable folly to seek more trouble
of the same kind existing under more diff
| fieult conditions.
| The expansonists say that we have be-
come world power. If by this il is mea MT
| that we have become peer of or uDon
an equality with the five or six other great
! powers of the world, so called il is but
the evidence of an alarming retrogression.
! This country for at least quarter of a
century has been the great power of the
world; in the advantages of its position.
| in it's reserved military strength in ira