The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-20
For Freedom for the Philippines by Sena-
tor Bacon.
OPPOSITION TO ANNEXATION
Treatment Should
Given Philippines Making
Them or als.The Spanish War Was Not to
Right Wrongs..1he Evils Arise From
Acquiring Distant Territory
The Stuaton

clare war 10 correct dll tuc "lOh6S IA
f1icted by Spain on her colonies. we
declared war only on account of Cuba,
and our obligations to the philippines
grew solely out of the accident OF war,
which threw us into cooperation and
alliance with these insurgents against
the dominion of Spain.
again, we hear frequent and earn
est assertions that it is our duty to see
to it that European nations do not ap-
propriate the Philippine islands. Well,
sir, l do not wish to see these islands
become the prey of land grabbing ma
tions of Europe. l wish and hope to
see the inhabitants of the Philippines
a free and independent nation. They
have the territory and the population
sufficient for nationality and they have
shown their readiness to fight for their
freedom. l hope that by negotiations
or otherwise it may be arranged and
agreed among the leading nations that
they may remain a free nation. L an
willing that the United tSates shall
through peaceful measures endeavOr to
accomplish this result. But l am not
willing that the United States shall go
to war to protect the Philippine islands
from being despoiled and appropriated
by one or more European nations. No
static community is the award of the
United States, and to no Asiatic COM
munity do the United States
owe the obligation of guardianship. 1
am not Indifferent to the welfare of
such communities, but I am unwilling
that the treasure Of this government
shall be consumed and the blood of the
American youth be poured out for their
protection. We have nobler uses, both
for the treasure and the young man
hood of this country.
II am most deeply impressed with
the Importance of the prompt announce
ment of this government of the dec
laration contained in these resolutions
that the United States do not intend
to establish it's dominion over the Phil
ippine islands. One good result from
such a declaration will, in my opinion,
be the prompt conclusion of all ques-
| tions growing out of the war with
| Spain. Another and most important
result will be immediate relief from the
most embarrassing and threatening sit
| uation in the Philippine islands. It is
useless for us to shut our eyes to the
| fact that the American and Philippine
armies are fronting each other with
| danger of collision. Why is this? 1t
| is because the Philippines, who fought
| Spain for their freedom, do not intend
| to become the vassals of the United
! States, and while senators announce
on the floor that there is no intention
! to impose this government upon an un-
willing people, there are other utter
ances which lead the Philippines to a
contrary conclusion. In consequence,
there is danger of bloodshed between
/ the Americans and the Philippine ar
mics. If this declaration is promptly
and authoritively made by this govern
ment, the apprehension will be relieved
and there will be no distrust of the
American army and no thought of~hos-
tility to it. Unless we make this de-
| claration, an accident, trif1e, may pre-
cipitate that shot at any hour. Every
| report we receive shows that the Phil
ippinos will not surrender. If there
should come a collision; if there should
be battle between the Americans and
Philippines, it will be a fearfur shock
for us to realize that war undertaken
for the liberation of Cuba has been con.
verted into one to subjugate the Phil
ippines."
Senator Bacon then entered upon az
argument against the annexation of dis
tat territory with dense population
of an alien and inferior race He said
't1f annexed this territory must eithe
be in the end admitted as states in tn,
union, with their people as citizens en-
titled to equal rights and power will
the citizens of other states, or the ter
ritory must be held as colonies will
their people as subjects and vassals o
! the United States. 1t is hmpossibl
that our people should ever consen
that these Asiatic communities shoul,
be admitted as states into the union
clothed with the power 30 assist in max
ing laws for Americans.
What is the result If these island
are acquired and held as colonies. Tn
logic OF the situation will he to acquire
more Asiatic territory, and after tina
! reach out for still more. Tn ere is NJ
reason for the acquisition of TIE Phil
ippines which will not apply to the &C.
| QUESTION of other parts of Asia, eacf
| acquisition furnishing reason VII!
| other parts still beyond should be also
acquired. Under this policy our govern
ment viii abandon its peaceful career
| and reach oQt to the ends Of the earth
| for empire and power that it may,
with strong arm, dominate and rule
over distant lands and peoples of every
race, condition and color. This reach
) ing out for empire will inevitably lead
to wars, not such wars as the little one
with its trffling sacrifices through