The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-04-21
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN.

ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN.
Mr.. Mckinley has not made the
call yet, but Maj. Gen. Lawton says
that he will soon have to, and the
press inquiries indicate the same.
The Eastern papers are beginning to
inquire OF Southern governors what,
in case the emergency should arise,
their states would do towards fur
nishing their quota of volunteers;
and, in concert with these inquiries,
the imperialistic press is beginning
to fan the fiame of "patriOtism."
So long as this country was en-
gagged in a war for humanity sake
and its conduct conformed to the
congressional call, then the spirit of
patriotism might be invoked; but
now that 1t is war Of conquest,
contrary to the spirit and the letter
of the call, for political purposes and
mercinary motives, we protest
against the degradation Of the SEN
timent 80 lofty and dear to every
true American heart. Those of us
who have read or studied the decla-
ration of American independence,
have been taught to believe that true
patriotism is to love, care for and
defend ones home and native land.
If that Is patriotism here, ii is pa
triotism the world over; in the Phil
ippine Islands, in darkest Africa
and in America, just the same; and
to fight against that Is to fight
against, not for, patriotism.
To invade foreign country, with
out Just cause, is not only unpa-
triotic, but unchristian as well, and
false theorists should not be allowed
to inculcate false ideas upon the
minds of the youth, and especially
when by so doing they degrade a
sentiment made sacred by the blood
of their fathers. Two wrongs do not
make right; because we are in the
Philippines and ought not to be
there, does not make it right for us
to stay there. These islands should
never have played any conspicuous
part in the settlement with Spain
because they did, is no reason why
they should be allowed to continue
to harrass and disturb this govern.
ment for all time to come. Admiral
Dewey did brave and heroic deco
when he captured Manila, but the
strategy board did a foolish thing
when it kept him there.
The Peace Commissioners paid E
dear price and got poor title wher
they traded for these islands, anC
certainly that is no good reason why
we should continue to send gooC
money after bad. 1T is puerile to say
that wherever the flag is one,
raised 1t must never be lowered.
Governments are as faulty as th'
individuals they are made Of, and i
is no more wrong for government
to recede from a false position thar
it is for an individual to acknowl
edge an error. This government
made a mistake in trading for tn,
Philippines; il made another ant
greater mistake in attempting t,
subjugate its people; it will make ;
third and still greater mistake wher
it attempts to "pacify" them b.
'annibilating" them. Our soldier
who from patriotic motives volun
teered, are made to be invaders
those who love freedom so we'll tina
they would die that others nigh
enjoy so great blessing, are mad
to fire upon flag that floats TO
freedoms cause. A travesty tina
upon patriotism, sin against hu
mainly! When Tennessee is Gale,
upon for volunteers to such an un
holy war, let the answer be, "mil
lions of men for self defense, but no
a single one for conquest"