The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1899-07-12

fey of imperialism is defensibIe, why
hide behind the pretense that nothing
can be done until the Filipinos lay
down their arms? If they are entltlen
to independence, and we expect to
give 1t to them, why not make 1T
known at once and thus end HOSTILE
ties? [Applause.l
on seif-Government.
Are we ashamed of the doctrine OF
government? Are we afraid that
the rulers of Europe will laugh at us
IL we confess our belief in the princi-
plies set forth by the fathers? Has IL
come to this that we must so shape
our conduct as to meet the APPROVAL OF
those who repudiate the principles of
government to which we are attached2
Weneed not appeal to Democrats; they
can not dispute the doctrine of self
government without repudiating the
authority of Jefferson, but we can APP
peal to the Republicans who still be-
lieYe in the principles of Lincoln. Let
me repeat the words used by him in
men. if you had been taught doctrines
conflicting with the great landmarks
of the declaration of independence; IL
you had listened to suggestions which
and mutilate the fair symmetry of its
proportions; If you had been inclined
to believe that all men are not created
equal in those inalienable rights emu
merateu by our CnaTI OF liberty. let
me entreat you to come back. Return
to the fountain whose waters spring
close by the blood of the revolution.
Think nothing of me; take no thought
whomsoeVer. but come back to the
truths that are in the declaration of
independence. You may do anything
with me you choose, II you Will but
heed the sacred principles. You may
not only defeat me for the senate, Dot
you may take me and put me to death.
While extending no indifference to
earthly honors, | do claim to be act
uated in this contest by something
higher than anxiety for office. / charge
you to drop every paltry and insigniti-
cant thought for any mans success. 1T
is nothing; / am nothing; Judge
stroy that immortal emblem of hui
manity-the declaration of independ-
ence." For more than 100 years our
nation has been travelling the pathway
that leads from the low level of might
up to the realm of right, and what a
history it has recorded. If we continue
the policy that we have followed in
the past the future will be equally
glorious, but what will be the end IL
we turn from reason to force, from
persuasion to compulsion? What must
we expect IL we substitute the javelin
and the spear for the pebbles of truth?
What is to be the nations policy? VIII
we encourage by example of control
by conquest? A few days ago 1 met
rev. .. L. NCInGEs MISSIONARY, WHO
had spent three years in south-central
Africa He went back into the inter-
Tor, 1000 miles south of the Congo,
and there, without white man with
in 100 miles, established church.
During his three years stay he gath
cred together a congregation of 300,
and when he returned a few months
ago for n visit to the United States,
he brought with him two African boys
to be educated here. As he was leaY-
ing the chief who has protected and
cared for him during his stay, he said:
GO tell the people of the white mans
country that want them to send us
friends. If they send us men to teach
us the white mans ways, to educate
our children, to give us new religion,
to show us how to become wise and
powerful like themselves, | will give
them land and food. / will help and
protect them as have helped and pro-
tected YOU but If they come to seize
fields and to destroy our people, we
will fight until the last man of us
sleeps in yonder grave with our faith
erS." Self-goYcrnment or Imperialism,
which shall it be? Shall we rule by
love or fear? Shall we convert and
educate, or shall we despoil and de-
stroy?
Let us give the Filipinos the same
assurance of independence that we
sure them of our intention to establish
n STAPLE government, which, when es-
tablished, will be their government,
not ours. Let us assure them that we
shall stand by them like an elder
brother, and say to other nations,
Hands Off" Let this republic work
out its destiny. [Great applausel