The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-04-13
AGAINST EXPANSION.
ADDRESS OF PROMINENT ANTI
lMPERiALlSTS.
Position of Those Opposed to the Ad-
ministration's Policy as Pursued in
the Philippine lslands-A Brief aud
Effective Statement Made Weighty
by the Character of Men Whose
Names are Attached to 1t.
(The OutlOok.)

(The Outlook)
The following address The Outlook
finds in the daily papers. and re-
prints it here because it gives in brief
as effective a statement as has been
made of the opposition to the present
course of the United States Govern
ment, and is made weighty by the
character of the men whose names
are attached to it. Comment is made
upon it in our editorial columns
The EDITORS.
To the People of the United States:
The full ratification Of the treaty
with Spain will cause a technical
change in the relations of the United
States to the Philippine Islands, but
will afford no reason for any change
of the views of the anti-imperialists
in regard to the future of the islands,
nor will it in the least affect the clear
duty of the Republic.
We are now engaged in warfare
with the inhabitants of those islands.
1t is Improbable to discuss the ques-
tion as to which party began hostili-
ties. No other result could have
been expected, when the lines of two
opposing military forces were held so
close in such tense conditions that
little was needed to cause an explos-
ion.
The evidence is very clear that
Aguinaldo was brought to the islands
by our own war-ship, that his aid
was accepted and desired in our mill
tary operations against the Span
iards, and that hopes of independence
were encouraged by our consuls and
other officers; that a parliament of
the islands, organized by representa-
tives elected by 1856 towns and prov
inces, chose Aguinaldo President, and
framed a constitution, which was
promulgated, defining the powers and
duties Of the separate departments of
the government with remarkable
clearness and ability, and that the
government so formed fairly repre-
sented the intelligence of the people
of the islands.
1t is also undeniable that on JAN
uary 5th President Mckinley issued a
proclamation through General Otis,
declaring that on the 10th of the pre-
vious month the Philippine Islands
had been ceded to this country by
Spain by the signature of the Treaty
of Paris, and further ordered him to
extend the military government of
the United States .sto the whole of
the ceded territory" and to demand
the surrender Of Iloilo, which was
then held by the Filipinos in an
orderly manner by capture from the
Spaniards.
1t cannot be claimed in law that
this assumption of power was war
ranted in advance of the ratification
Of the treaty by both parties, and
there can be no doubt that the arbi-
trary claim greatly aggravated the
people of the islands, whose hope of
independence seemed thus rudely de-
stroyed.
No declaratory resolution as to the
future of the islands was assented to
by the Administration before the
ratification of the treaty by the
Senate, and none has been made
since.
Any right that we assert to owner
ship Of the Philippines must rest,
therefore, either upon conquest or
upon purchase from their Spanish
oppressors, or upon both; and in any
case it is, as we believe, inconsistent
with the principles of this Republic,
and fraught with danger to its peace
and to the peace of the world.
The first result we already witness
"a war of subjugation, which must
embitter the people we seek to rule,
and which. however successful, must
bring disaster and death to our
soldiers and unmeasured cost to our
people.
Profoundly impressed with the
seriousness OF the situation. it is the
purpose of the anti-imperialists to
continue tho circulation of literature,
to assist in the formation Of leagues,
and, by public meetings, and every
proper means known to free people,
To agitate for the revival in the land
Of the spirit Of Washington and Lin
coin, to protest against a spirit OF
militarism and force, to oppose the
colonial idea and permanently large
standing army, and to assert the Vita
truths Of the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence embodied in the Constitu-
ton and indissolubly connected with
the welfare Of this Republic.
They urge, therefore, all lovers oi
freedom, without regard to party as,
sociations, to cooperate with them to
| the following ends:
| First-That our Government shall
take immediate steps toward sus,
pension of hostilities in the Philip
| pines and conference with the Phil
/ ippine leaders, with a view to pre-
venting further bloodshed upon the
basis of a recognition Of their freedom
and independence as soon as proper
guarantees can be had OF order and
protection to property.
/ Second-That the Government 0!
/ the United States shall tender an Off
cial assurance to the inhabitants o.
the Philippine Islands that they will
encourage and assist in the organiza
ton Of such government in the
islands as the people thereof shall
prefer, and that upon its organiza
tion in stable manner the United
! States, in accordance with its tradi
tional and prescriptive policy in suct
/ eases, will recognize the independ
ence of the Philippines and its equal
ity among nations, and gradual,
withdraw all military and naya
forces.
George 5. Boutwell,, of Massachu
sets: George Z. Edmunds. of Yer
mont: John Sherman, Of Washington
Donelson Caffery, Of Louisiana; W
Bourke Cochran, of New York: vii
liam H. Fleming. of Georgia; Henr.
L Iohnsnn of Indiana Samue