Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-01-12

plank, Col. Bryan LOOK up LIE uo"
questions that have grown out OF the
war. He called attention to the Pres
ident's recommendation of larger
army, and insisted that the army
should be divided into two branches,
the army for domestic use in the
United States, which, he said, did net
need to be increased, and the army OF
occupation which is temporarily ne
cessary for use outside Of the United
States. He said that the army OF oc
cupation should be recruited at once,
in order to relieve the volunteers, but
that the term of service should De
short because the nations policy is
not vet settled. He suggested that
the demand for an increase in the
army might be considered as the first
fruit of that victory to which the Re
publicans pointed with so much pride
last November.
Turning to the question of annexa-
ton, he insisted that the nation has
not vet decided what to do with the
Philippine Islands. He spoke in part
as follows:
"The sentiment of the people on any
great question must be measured dur
ing the days of deliberatiOn, and not
during the hours of excitement. A
good man will sometimes be engaged In
fight, but it is not reasonable to ex-
pect judicial opinion from him until
he has had time to wash the blood OH
| his face. [ have seen herd Of mild
eyed, gentle kline transformed into in
furiated beasts by the sight and scent
of blood, and 1 have seen the same an
finals quiet and peaceful again IN
| few hours.
I'VE have much of the animal in us
still, in spite of our civilizing pro-
cesses. 1t is not unnatural that our
people should be more sanguinary i'm
mediately after a battle than they
were before, out it is only a question
of time when reflection will restore the
conditions which existed before this
nation became engaged in the war with
| Spain. When men are excited they
talk about what they can do; when
they are calm, they talk about what
they ought to do If the President
rightly interpreted the feelings of the
people when they were intoxicated by
a military triumph, we shall appeal
from philip drunk to Philip SOBER
1.-The forcible annexation of the
philippine Islands would violate a
iprinciple of American public law SO
deeply imbedded in the American
mind that until year ago no public
Imam would have suggested it. 1t is
difficult to overestimate the influence
(which such change in our national
lpolicy would produce on the character
of our people.
"Our opponents ask, Is our nation
not great enough to do what England
Germany, and Holland are doing
They inquire, Can we not govern col
onies as well as they. Whether we car
govern as well as other countries is not
material; the real question is whether
we can in one hemisphere, develop the
theory that governments derive theil
i lust power from the consent of thu
governed, and at the same time inau
gurate, support, and defend in thu
other hemisphere government which
derives it's authority entirely from SUI
perior force. And, if these two ideas
of government cannot live together
which one shall we choose?
ITO defend fOrcible annexation OIL
the ground that we are carrying out {
religious duty is worse than absurd
The Bible teaches us that it is more
blessed to give than receive, while
! the colonial policy is based upon the
doctrine that it is more blessed to taxi
than to leave. [ am afraid that thu
imperalists have confused their beati
tudes. [ once heard of a man Wh(
mixed up the parable of the good Sa
marian with the parable of the Sowe
and in attempting to repeat the for
mer, said: "A man went from Jerusa
len to Jericho, and as he went he fel
among thorns, and the thorns sprans
, up and choked him.
1--WE entered the Spanish war al
peace-makers. Imperialists have al
; indistinct recollection that blessing
has been promised to the peace max
ers, and also to tie meek, but their de
sire for more territory has perverted
their memories, so that as they gree
the former it reads: Blessed are thu
peace makers, for they shall inherit The
earth Annexation cannot be defend
ed upon the ground that we shall find {
pecuniary profit in the policy.
1.-The advantage which may come tc
few individuals who hold the Offices
or who secure valuable franchises can
not properly be weighed against thu
money expended in governing the
| IulllpDluGS, UtCduo0 UuO uOACy CA
pended will be paid by those who pay
| the taxes. We are not yet in position
to determine whether the people of thu
United States after while will bring
back from the Philippines as much al
they send there. There is an old say
{ ing that it is not profitable to buy ;
lawsuit. Our nation may learn by ex
perience that it is not wise to purchas'
the right to conquer people.
"Spain, under commission, gives u!
quit claim to the Philippines in re
turn for SIC, 100000, but she does no
agree to warrant and defend any title
as against the Fllipinos. To buy lane
is one thing; to buy people is another
Land is inanimate and makes no re
sistance to transfer Of title; the PEG
pie are animate and sometimes desire
voice in their own affairs. Blu
} whether measured by dollars and cent
| the conquest of the Philippines woult
prove profitable or expensive, it will
certainly prove embarrassing to thos'
who still hold to the doctrines which
} underlie republic.
military rule is antagoniStic to Oul
theory of government. The armament.
which are used to defend it i'll The
Philippines may be used to excuse it il
, the United States. Under military
rule much must be left to the discre
ton of the military Governor, and THU
can only bejustified on the theory tina
J the Governor knows more than the PEG
; Pile whom he governed, is tetter ae
quainted with their needs than they
are themselves, is entirely in sympathy
with them, and is thoroughly honss
and unselfish in his desire to do then
good.
Such com bnation Of wisdom, in
tegrity and love is difficult to liud, anC
the Repu oiicau party will enter upon
a hard task when it starts out to Sc
lect suitable military governors fol
or remote possessions. Even if the
party has absolute confidence in its
great political manager, Senator Ham
IA, 1t must remember that the people
of Ohio have compelled him to serve
them in the United States. and that
inferior men must be intrusted with
the distribution of justice and benev-
Olonce among the nation q dark-skinued