The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-19
CHUNKS OF SOLID SENSE
THE WAR HAS BROUGHT THE
FILIPINOS ONLY A CHANGE a
OF MASTERS.
OPPOSING SENATORS NOT RESPONSIBLE
The Country Can Settle the Trouble Quickly
0ry by Declaring its Policy With
Reference to Government of
the Islands.
the Islands.


Ann Arbor. Mich, Feb. 1S.-Colonel
William Jennings Bryan, lectured on
imperialism tonight before an audience
of students, members of the University
of Michigan, faculty and citizens, which
taxed the capacity of the big University
Hall 1t is seven years since the present
leader of the silver Democracy has Wis
tied this city, and the students of all
shades of political opinions gave him a
noisy and enthusiastic welcome on his
appearance.
Colonel Bryan's declarations in favor
of independence for the FTiiipinos under
an American proteetorate brought out
considerable applause.
The President in his Boston speech
has declared that the future of the Phil
ippines is in the hands of the American
people This is all that has been con-
tended for by the opponents of the colo
NAL policy outlined by those who have
demanded the forcible and permanent
annexation of the Philippine Islands. If
the matter is in the hands of the Amer
lean people then it is a subject for discus
sion by the American people, and the
only question 60 be considered and de-
cided is whether the permanent reten-
ton of the Philippine Islands is desira-
BILE. And in considering what is desira
bic we must consider what is best for
the people of the United States and
what is best for the Filipinos. Those
who oppose the colonial policy deny that
~ al .Nfc NV
ton would be beneficial either to the
United States or to the alien race over
which our sovereignty would be extend
ed
''The sooner the question is settled the
better 1t is putting the cart before the
horse to say that the nation cannot re-
veal it's purpose until the Filipinos lay
down their arms. If the nation would
declare it's intention to establish a sta
Bile and independent government in the
Philippines and then leave that govern
ment in the hands of the people of the
islands, hOstilities would be suspended at
once. and further bloodshed would be
avoided. What would our colonists have
thought of a demand on the part of Eng
land that we first lay down our arms
and surrender to the King, and then
trust to the decision that he would
make. Now that the treaty has been
ratified and Spain eliminated from the
question. the American people are free
to take such action as the circumstances
REQUIRE Shall our nation enter upon
career of conquest and substitute the
doctrine of force for the power of exam
pie and the influence of counsel! Our
forefathers fought for independence un-
der a banner upon which was inscribed
the motto Millions for Defense but not
one Cent for Tribute And SO those who
today not only desire American mdepen-
dence, but are willing to encourage the
idea OF independence and self-govern-
ment in other races can fight under
banner unon which is inscribed q similar
motto: Millions for defense but not one
cent for conquest
''Some of the advocates of a colonial
policy have sought to lay upon those who
opposed the ratification of the treaty the
responsibility for the bloodshed around
Manila. While I believed and still be-
lieye that it was better to ratify the
treaty and make the fight for Philippine
independence before the American peo
ple rather than through diplomatic nego-
tiations with Spain, | deny that the Sen
ators who opposed ratification We're in
any way rasDonsible for the commence
ment Of hostilties.
"The responsibility rests not upon
those who opposed the treaty, but upon
those who refused to disclose the nations
purpose and left the Filipinos to believe
that their fight against Spain. instead of
bringing them independence, had only
brought them a change of masters 1t
was the desire to be independent that
led the FilpinoS to resist American au-
thority and their desire for independence
was not inspired by any American oppo-
sition to the terms of the treaty. 1t will
be remembered that the Filipinos issued
a declaration of independence last sum-
mer before the treaty was negotiated.
Opposition to the treaty therefore could
not have caused a desire for indepen-
deuce which was EXPRESSED before the
treaty was made. If it is wrong for
anyone in this country to inspire in other
races desire for self government the
imperialists cannot confine their re-
proaches 10 the living. They must lay
the blame upon American statesmen
long since dead. Patrick Henry was
responsible to some extent because the
sentiments exnressed in his speech have
found a lodgment in the hearts of all
the races. Washington must also be
blamed for when he drew his sword in
defense of the rights of the colonists he