New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-24
NOT ALL WITH ATKINSON.

The Democratic party is not to be Atkinson
lied without an earnest protest from that ele-
ment In the organization which is still alive 10
the obligations of patriotism and to the settled
trend of National destiny Democratic sen,i-
ment has seemed 10 be drifting recently toward
that faint hearted theory of American duty III
the Philippines whose logic points to a virtual
abandonment Of this country's purpose to assert
IFS authority In and sovereignty over its new
Far Eastern possessions. Mr.. Crokers sudden
conversion to the view that American military
occupation In the Philippines should be termi-
mated and the islands turned over to the tender
mercies of Aguinaldo's insurgents gave color 10
the notion that wholesale assault on the ADMIN
istration's present Eastern policy would prob
ably be made the leading feature of the next
Democratic National campaign. Colonel Bryans
speech last Tuesday at Des Moines, In which he
announced his willingness to see new issues en-
phasized I'm next years platform was further
hint that party fortunes might be helped by
omen condemnation Of the operations now In
progress in Luzon TO crush out the native rebel
lion But perhaps not even Mr. Atkinson him
self was prepared for the sweeping expression
Of hostility to Government plans and purposes
in the Philippines which was adopted after
Iowa Democratic Convention
1--WE condemn the war against the Filiplnos
say the Iowa platform makers. believing it to
"have been inspired by Great Britain for the
.'purpose of producing conditions that will force
"an Anglo-American alliance, and we not only
protest against the war, but demand its terndna-
"tion by extension to the Filipinos of the same
assurance given to the Cubans" If this decla-
ration proposes anything 1t proposes that the
United States shall confess the utter failure of
It's efforts to maintain its sovereignty In the
Philippines and shall concede to the triumphant
insurgents a measure of self-government which
could be granted with dignity or honor only, as
in Cuba. out of absolute free will.
If, however, some recent utterances of Sena-
tor Morgan, Of Alabama, fairly reflect the Dem
ocratic sentiment Of the South, the conversion or
the National party TO the Iowa view Of American
obligations and opportunities in the Far East will
not be unopposed Senator Morgan is one Of the
survivors Of that earlier school Of Democratic
leaders whose Americansm has always been
both intense and comprehensive In his phlloso-
ply the United States would prove false both TO
its ideals and its destiny If 1t shirked in any
particular the role Of increasing importance and
responsibility in the worlds affairs which cir
cumstances have thrust upon IT, 1t Is natural,
therefore, to find him dsmissing with contempt
the narrow and petty view Of American policy
in the Philippines which seems coming more
and more into favor with Eastern and North
western Democrats. "1The people Of this coun-
try" he declared the other day in Alabama, "are
Satisfied with the results already accomplished
land to be accomplished by the Philippine war.
"They are determined TO press it to a successful
conclusion. No political party that opposes the
United States Government in its earnest at
tempt to suppress the insurrection In the Phil
"ippines will be sustained by the American
people, and am satisfied that the Democratic
party cannot be led into any such attitude
These words of the veteran Alabama leader
are as creditable to bis political judgment as
they are to the breadth and courage of his
craftsmanship. There are doubtless many other
Southern politicians who share his repugnance
to the empty clatter against the Administra-
tons policy In the Far East which 1t is now
proposed by Colonel Bryan and Mr.. Croker to
welcome 'into the family of Democratic party
issues" Senator Morgan, ex Governor Stone of
Missouri, Clark Howell, of Georgia. and other
Southerners Of similar force and character will
doubtless have something to say before the
party Is completely committed to the petulant
and dwaring theories of Edward Atkinson.