Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-02
GOSPEL OF GUNPOWDER
Mr. Bryan's Term for Americas Philippine
Policy.


William J. Bryan discusses the Philippine
question I'm this weeks Independent lie
says:
The Philippine question is important be
cause fundamental principles are involved
in its discussion.
There are two sources Of government
force and consent Monarchies are founded
upon force. republics upon consent.
The Declaration of Independence asserts
that governments derive their just powers
from the consent OF the governed aud this
is the doctrine to which we have adhered
for more than a century. II is the doctrine
which has distinguished US from European
countries, and has made our nation the
hope OF humanity. The Statue of Liberty
| in New York harbor typides the nations
mission.
ton of Independence is sound how can we
rlghtfully acquire sovereignty over the FL
lpinos by war Of conquest? n the doc
trine set forth in the Declaration Of indie
pendence is sound how can we riEhtfully
purchase sovereignty from a Spanish SOW
ereign whose title we disputed in Cuba and
whose rebellious subjects armed in the
Philippines?
Declaration of Congress-
I'm the resolution of Intervention Con-
gress declared that the Cubans were and of
right ought to be free. Why Because
governments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed. and Spain had
refused to respect the wishes OF the Gu
bans. II the Cubans were and of right
ought to be free why not the Filjninosp
IN the beginning Of the Spanish war
congress denied that our nation had any
thought OF extending it's territory by war
III we then had no thought of securing by
conquest new territory in the western hem
iSphere why should we now think OF secur-
ing IN the eastern hemisphere new races for
subjugation?
An individual may live double life when
only one life is known. When both lives
are known he can lead only one life and
that the worst A republic cannot enter
upon colonial policy IL cannot advocate
government by consent at home and gov
eminent by force abroad. The Declaration
OF independence will lose its value when we
proclaim the doctrine familiar I'm J9rirou.
but detestable here that goyarnrn,Dts aro
round In shape. about thirteen inches I'm
diameter and fired out of cannon
FOR more than a century this nation has
oeen travelling along the pathway which
leads from the low domain OF might IN the
ioity realm Of right and its history has
| oeen without parallel in the annals Of re-
t uIne' What will be our fate II we
turn backward and begin the descent to-
ward forced conquest?
II Is not sufficient to say that the forcI
pie annexation of the Philippine Islands ia
red mon for
the good of the Fiipinos Tfnc.l,, rnIr,.,
OUT that this has always been tn, argument
OF kings. To use his words; They sIu,.,s
, pes.rode the necks of the people not that
they wanted To do it, but becails,. rh,. me-
pie Were better OFF for being ridden.'
Force Reason.
at is surprising that any believer I'm se,f-
government should favor forcIble anuexa-
ton, but still more surprising how any ono
who believes in the Christian religion
should favor the substitution Of force for
| reason in the extension of our nations in
fiuence
IF we adopt the gunpowder cospel in
the Philippines how long will il be before
that principle will be transplanled in Amer
lean soil2
so long as our arguments are addressed
TO the reason and the heart our progress is
sure, but can We without danger 20 Chris
tianity resort to the ancient plan OF inject
ing religion into the body through bullet
holes.
The question is frequently asked. What
can We 90? Nearly two months ELAPSED be-
tween The signing of the treaty and IN. he
ginning Of hostilities in the Philippines.
During that time the President and Con-
sress might have given TO the FilipiDos the
same assurance of Independence that was
given to the Cubans. Such assurance
would have prevented bloodshed. II the
doctrine of self-gOvernment is sound the
F1hpinos are entitled to govern themselves
ana the President can now promise them
Independence soon as a stable govern-
ment can Toe established.
Let Congress Act.
''If the President is not willing to take
the responsibility Of enforcing the doctrine
set forth in the Declaration of lndepend-
ence he can call Congress together and let
it lake the responsibility. 4 special session
would be less expensive than the war. not
to speak of the principles involved.
our nation is protecting the republics Of
South America from outward interference
while they work out their destiny. We
can extend the same doctrine to the Phil
ippines. and, having rescued the inhabitants
from a foreign yoke, We can guard them
from molestation while they develop a re-
public in the orient. They will be our
friends instead of our enemies: we can
send school teachers to Manila instead OF
soldiers, and the world will know that
there Is a reality in the theory OF govern
ment promulgated at Independence Hall
and defended by the blood of the revolu-
tionary fathers
Warm Greeting to Bryan.
A special to the Free Press from Manls-
tee, Mich, says:
when William Jennings Bryan arrived
here today he met with most enthusiastic
reception, participated in by republicans
and democrats alike. After a reception to
the townspeople in the morning. Colonel
Bryan addressed large outdoor meeting
in the afternoon. speaking over an hour.
He dwelt at length on the financial ques-
ton, advocated an income tax, and voiced
his opposition to trusts and Imperialism.
He said much of the opposition TO him was
caused by fear that he would enforce the
laws.
Rain interfered with an outdoor meet
ing which he was to address in the even
ing, and compelled its adjournment to two
different halls, at each of which Colonel
Bryan addressed audiences. A banquet,
which Mr.. Bryan attended. followed the
meeting"