The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-29

zen-soldier of Boston has in store for
US, TO further occupy your time in con-
sidering our relations with Cuba.
| Porto Rico, which came into our pos
session more We trust by the accident
! of war than by any studied purpose at
the commencement, is small island
close at home, within an arms leng th
OF our eastern border, inhabited prin-
clpally by white people who are willing
and anxious to be allied with us and
who are already asking for territorial
government under our control, and are
accepting the new relations with us of
their own free viii as expressed by the
majority of her people
| Whatever objections there may be Ia
taking such a territory under our flag,
there IS at least no excessively fragrant
violation of our well-established Amer
lean principles, for no one will contend
that she is to be annexed without eX-
pectatiOn or prospect in the future of
becoming component part Of the re-
public and in time rising to the dig
unity of statehood. When that time may
come [ cOnCede is somewhat problema-
tic, and while hope deferred may make
the heart sick" there is still q bare
possibility. There is at least a shadow,
thin to be sure but still q shadow of
resemblance between the possible an
neXation Of Porto Rico and the process
by which the contiguous territorits of
Texas and Louisiana We're acquired and
incorporated into the Union. The wis
dom or folly Of anneXing Porto Rico to
this republic remains to be demon
strated
Let US consider briefly our position in
relation to the Philippines. These I'M
fortunate Islands and their inhabitants
are situated seven thousand miles re-
mote from our nearest boundary, out in
the Pacific ocean, in the eastern hemi-
sphere, partly south of the equator.
Most of the islands which are at all
fertile are densely populated by differ
emit tribes Of Asiatic people, a very
small per cent of whom are quite intel
| ltgent, civilized and literally educated.
| On the island Of Luzon we are told
there is a university with 1000 students,
g. naval and military school with 800
students, numerous parochial schools
and educational institutions devoted to
the sciences and to manual training
/ but the great majority of the inhabit-
ants are wandering tribes Of un-Chris-
tanned, uneducated, half-civillzed
tribes of Negritos, Malays. Mohame-
dams and half-breeds. The total popu-
lation is estimated at 10000, 900 people.
/ Ihey began their struggle for indie
pendence centuries ago. When Admiral
Dewey sailed with his fleet into Manila
/ harbor they were in open revolt against
sovereignty and Spanish dominion, and
at once became our allies in the war
with Spain. They co-operated with us
Upon the theory that our enemy was
their enemy. We gladly accepted their
cooperation and furnished them with
arms that the war might be the more
efectual. While Dewey infested Manila
( oy sea at a time when he had not a
soldier to embark for an army of &C.
cupatton, the Filipinos besieged the city
by land. Their officers were in direct
communication with our officers. They
were our willing and accepted allies
during the remainder Of the campaign
and until Spain sued for peace. Did we
py word or deed or suggestion ex-
pressed or implied intimate to these
people that, having conquered Spain,
we would then turn our attention to
subjugating them; and while we had
assisted them in casting off the yoke of
bondage of Spain, that we would sub
Ject them to like vassalage to our
selves? What had they in all fairness
the Hght 10 expect from a powerful
Tree republic which had entered into
war with Spain for the express pur-
pose Of freeing Cuba? Was it that
they in turn should become our sub
Jects? Shall we now at the point of the
bayonet and muzzle of the rifle coerce
and subjugate these people and deny
TO them that which is the birthright OF
. / SNSIJ AACC-DOlil AMERICAN citizen, dQC
that which we not only willingly gave
TO Cuba, but sacrificed SO much in blood
and treasure that they might surely en-.
Joy? 70 do this will be such an ex.
hibition of ingratitude as ought tc
bring the blush Of shame to the cheek
Of every loyal, liberty loving American
Not only have we grabbed and ASST
inflated Porto Rico that was willing
but against the Philippines that are
unwilling we are Waging a war of exter.
mination, subiugation and CONQUEST
ALREADY we have slaughtered more oil
the natives in the Philippines than were
killed Of the Spanish in the war for the
freedom OF Cuba. How much farther
must we advance before we reach ths
dead line of criminal aggression" Sc
abhorrent to this present administra.
!lon? cant and hypocrisy may flourish
Tor a season, but a just retribution will
follow in due time. Greed cries alouC
Tor commercial gain and pictures the
immense advantage to be derived from
, our possessions in the Orient and urges
us 10 so in and possess the PhiIippines
i The siren voice of the tempter is heard
, drowning the voice of reason. The
press, yea, and the pulpit too. 1oin ir
the Wild babel of the fanatics in llre.
ing the gods OF war in the name anf
for the sake of commercial expansion
and religion to oVerpower and subdue
/ JrlDeS
savage and half-civilized inhabitants
that trade may be expanded and reli.
gion taught.
| FROM present indications, il is an.
parent that the people Of those islands
are not so easily subdued as was al
flrst expected, and there will be re.
qulfed vast armies and much sacrifice
oI me ana treasure to subdue them
ana When once conquered and SubdueC
lhey Will not remain in subsection but
VIII continue their guerrilla warfare as
opportunity presents itself.
lheSe are the conditions imposed
ms the purpose and object TO be oh.
tanned. If the plan and scheme are tc
pc carried out, let us at least be con.
slstent, and before entering upon this
crusade against the rights and liberties
OF others. let US blot out the Declare.
llon or independence, burn every con.
stltutIon in the country, obliterate the
graves of Washington, jefferson anC
Lincoln and send back to France hel
noble gift to us of Liberty Enlighten.
ing the World" We may then he in 3
position where the other despotic coun
tries cannot ridicuIe US. Has 1t come Il
this that tine American people in al
seflOuSneSnesS and clothed in thei
right mind, are willing to advocate tn,
right of forcible annexation of foreign
- and remote territory and the establish
e. ment therein of military rule? Are v,
- really willing to fOrsake and traunnI,
. under foot the grand principles upol
a which our republic was founded am
5 by adherlng to which we have grow
- IN dignity, in wealth and power unit
our fame extends throughout tn,
To- world? | cannot believe it, If we ono
a admit that might makes right an,
- carry 1T INTO execution in the Philip
< pines, then there is no longer peace an,