Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-07-14

hardsnlp ana nerOlsm rs great as ever
glorifed the struggle of any people for
liberty.
The freedom thus gained and the self
government achieved have extended
over the vast continent, the greater
part of which was then a wilderness.
The three millions of self-governing
people have become seventy millions.
The feeble colonies have become a
compacted union of states, constituting
the most independent, the most intelli-
gent, prosperous and powerful nation In
the world.
Not only so, but the leaven of liberty
here set to work-the example of
''government of the people, by the
people and for the people" here erected
and mantained-has modified despotism
and popularzpd constitutional govern
ment throughout the civilized world.
A notable expansion of the spirit of
freedom has occurred from the tyranny
of Spanish rule through war under
taken by the United States under a
declaration that "the people Of the
island of Cuba are, and of right ought to
be, free and independent" accompanied
by the pledge
THAT the United States hereby dis.
claims any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or con-
troll over said island except for the
pacification thereof, and asserts its
determination when that Is completed to
leave the government and control of the
island to its people,"
An "officer of the army of occupation"
recalling this "solemn pledge" to the
attention of the country, has Just written
in the North American Review that
Cuba is las 'pacified' as it ever has been
or will be-" and recorded his opinion
that "t is time for US to leave. :"
"City for city," he affirms, "the towns
of Cuba are more peaceful and orderly
than those of the United States" With
unusual candor for one of his profession,
he says that "a military government is
at best tyranny" and confesses that
''our military government, as means of
rapprochement between the two peo-
piles, Is a failure"
He therefore urges that we carry out
our promise at once-leavng the people
of Cuba to govern themselves until such
time as they may prefer annexation"
The anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence Is fitting day to say that
the principles which it proclaimed are as
applicable to Cuba and TO the Philippines
as they were to the United Colonies.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness" are the ''unalienable rights" of all
men, irrespective of race or color,
Governments derive their Just powers
from the consent of the governed" now
as they did In 177G. Whatever may be
the errors or wrongs of the executive
department, the American people,
through their congress, will see to 1t
that our national policy shall result in
the expansion of freedom, not in a
reversiOn to tyranny.
w. ID. Hornblower on the Philippine War.
William B. Hornblower of New York
gave the address before the Pennsylvania
bar association at Wikesbarre, Friday,
and In the course of it he strongly de.
nounced our governments course in the
Philippines. He regarded with horror
the slaughter of Filipinos and our own
soldiers, and declared that we cannot
maintain American sovereignty in the
islands except under a military despot
ism, and cannot maintain such a despot
ism without endangering liberty at home
Especially significant was the reception
given to the address. The Philadelphis
Ledger saws that the large audience
which overlooked the court room made
constant demonstrations Of approval and
cheered so enthusiastically at the close
that the speaker was obliged to make
tinues the Ledgers correspondent
seemed to be in thorough accord witt
the attack on Imperialism, and il the ap
plause was any test of the bar associa
tons sentiments, the lawyers of Penn
sylvania as a rule have no sympathy
with the administration in this business.