The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-21

Ann Harbor, Mich, February 49,
Colonel w. J. Bryan lectured on I'm
perialism'' tonight before an audience
of students, members of the university
of Michigan, faculty and citizens, which
taxed the capacity of the big university
hall.
The colonel received a warm welcome
during his reception preceding the adj
dress which was as follows:
The president in his Boston speech
has declared that the future Of the Phil
ippines is in the hands of the Ameri-
can people. This is all that has been
commended for by the opponents of the
colonial policy outlined by those who
have determined the forcible and per-
manent annexation of the Philippine
island. If the matter is in the hands
of the American people, then it is a
subject for discussion by the American
people and the only question to
be considered and decided is Wheth-
er the permanent retention of the
Philippine islands is desirable. And
in considering what is desirable we
must consider what is best for the peo-
pie of the United States and what is
best for the Philippines. Those who
ppose the colonia policy deny that the
adoption of such a policy by this ma
ton would be beneficial either to the
United States or to the alien race over
which our sovereignty would be ex-
tended.
THE sooner the question is settled the
better If is nnttinU the cart hpfOra the
horse to say that the nation cannot re-
veal it's purpose until the Philippines
lay down their arms. If the nation
would declare it's intention to establish
a stable and Independent government
in the Philippines and then leave that
government in the hands of the people
of the islands, hostilities would be sus-
pended at once, and further bloodshed
would be avoided. What would our
colOnists have thought of a demand on
the part of England hat we first lay
down our arms and surrender to the
king and then trust to the decision
that he woul make? Now that the
treaty has been ratified and Spain
eliminated from the question, the Amer
lean people are free to take such ac-
ton as the circumstance require. Shall
our nation enter Upon a career of con-
quest and substitute the doctrine of
force for the power of example and
the influence of counsel? Jul forefath-
ers fought for independence under 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 in
dependence, but are willing to encour-
age the idea of independence and self
gOVernmnt in other races can fight
under a banner upon which is inscribed
a 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 blood
shed around Manila. While l believed
and still believe that it was better to
ratify the treaty and make the fight
for Philippine independence before the
American people rather than through
diplomatic negotiations with Spain, I
deny that the senators who opposed rat
ification were in any way responsible
for the commencement of hostilities.
1.-THE responsibility rests not upon
those who opposed the treaty, but upon
those who refused to disclose the ma
ton purpose and left the Philippines
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 indie
pendent that led the Philippines to re-
sist American authority, and their de-
sire for independence was not inspired
by and American opposition to the