The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-25
sRYAx ON EXPANSION.
summary 81 what He Has vasi-
Ously said.
New York INDEPENDENT.

New York Independent.
THE Philippine question II apt because
fundamental principles are involved in It's
discussion. There are two sources Of gov
eminent, force and consent. Monarch.es
are founded upon force, republics upon
consent.
THE Declaration Of Independence as
serts that governments derive their just
powers from the consent Of the governed.
and this II the doctrine to which We have
adhered for more than a century. 1t Ii
the doctrine which has distinguished US
from European countries and has made
our nation the hope of humanity. The
statue Of New York harbor typifies the
nations mission.
IF the doctrine set forth In the Decla-
ration Of Independence 10 sound. how can
we rightfully acquire sovereignty over
the Fflipinos by a war Of conquest? II
the doctrine set forth In the Declaration
rightfulfy purchase sovereignty from
Spanish sovereign whose title We disputed
In Cuba and whose rebellious subjects We
armed In the Philippines?
''In 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
had refused to respect the wishes OF the
Cubans. II the Cubans were and OF right
ought to be free, why not the F1iipinos?
I'm the beginning Of the Spanish war
congress denied that our nation had any
thought OF extending Its territory by war.
II we then had no thought OF securing by
conquest new territory In the western
hemisphere. why should we now think Of
securing In the eastern hemisphere new
races for subjugaticn?
An individual may live q double life
when only one life Is known. When both
lives are known he can lead only one life.
and that the worst. republic cannot en-
Ter upon colonial policy. II cannot ad-
vocate government by consent at home
and government by force abroad. The
Declaration OF Independence will lose its
value when we proclaim the doctrine IA
mtlar In Europe. but detestable here, that
governments are round In shape. about
thirteen inches In diameter, and fired out
Of a cannon.
Fore more than a century this nation
has been travelling along the pathway
which leads from the low domain Of might
to the lofty realm Of right. and It's history
has been without parallel in the annals
OF recorded time. What will be our fate
II We turn backward and begin the descent
toward force and conquest
ut Is not sufficient to say that the forci-
BILE annexation Of the Philippine islands is
benevolent undertaking entered upon for
out that this has always been the argument
Of kings. To use his words: They always
bestrode the necks of the people, not that
they wanted to do 1t. but because she peo-
pie were better of for being ridden II b
surprising that any believer In se,f-govern-
ment should favor forcihle annexation, but
still more surprising that any one who be-
iieves In the Christian religion should favor
tho substitution OF force for reason in the
NJ tina
IF We adopt the gunpowder gospel IN the
philippines. how long will II be before that
| principle will be transplanfed in American
soiIe
so long as our arguments are addressed
| 10 the reason and the hear, our prog
ress Is sure. But can we. without danger
to Christianity. resor, 10 the ancient plan
or injecting religion into the body through
bullet holes?
The question is frequently asked, what
can We DO? Nearly two months elapsed
between the signing OF the treaty and the
beginning Of hostilities IN the Philippines
During that time the president and cen
gress might have given 10 the Fihpinos
the same assurance of independence that
would have prevented bloodshed II the
doctrine ef seif-government In sound the
Ftiiplnos are entitled to govern themselves.
and thu president can now promise them
independence as soon as stable govern
ment can he established
III the president IN not willing TO take
the responsibility OF enforcing the doctrine
set forth I'm thu Declaration OF Independ-
enee. he can cali congress together and lie.
II take the responsibility. A special sss-
sien would be less expensive than the war.
not 20 speak % the principles involved
Our nation ss protecting the republics
% South America from outward interior
ence while they werk out their destiny. We
can extend the same doctrine to the Phil
sppines. ard. having rescued the .nhahi,-
ants from a foreign yoke. We can guar,
them from molestas.on while they leyel-
on republic IN the Orient. They viii be-
our friends instead 81 our enemies. We
can send srhooseachers to Manila instead
OF soldiers. ard the world will know tina,
there Is n reality IN the theory of govern
mens promulgated a. Independence Hal,
and defended hv the blood OF the revo,u-
tionAry fathers"