The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-02-25


siastic Reception Synopsis OF
His Speech in Which He Com
bats the Arguments of Imperi-
aIists.
Col. William j. Bryan lectured
on ''Imperialism" at Ann Arbor,
Michigan, before an audience of
students, members of the Uni
versity Of Michigan, faculty and
citizens, which taxed the capacity
of the big university hall.
He said in part:
"The president in his Boston
speech has declared that the fu-
ture of the Philippines is in the
hands of the American people.
This is all that has been contend
ed for by the opponents of the
colonial policy outlined by those
who have demanded the forcible
and permanent annexation OF The
Philippine islands. Ii the matter
is in The hands OF the American
people then it is a question for
discussion by the American poo
pie and tho only question to be
considered and decided is wheth-
! er the permanent retention of the
Philippine islands is desirable.
And in considering what is desir-
able we must consider what is
best for the people Of the United
States and what is best for the
Filipinos. Those who oppose the
lcolonial policy deny that The
adoption of such policy by this
nation would be beneficial either
to the United States or TO the
alien race over which our sover-
eighty would be extended.
rThe sooner the question is
settled the better. 1t is putting
the cart before the horse to say
: tha the nation cannot reveal its
purpose until the Filipinos lay
) down their arms. If the nation
would declare its intention to es-
tablish a stable and independent
government in the Philippines
and then leave that government
J 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 demand upon the
part Of England that we first lay
j down our arms and surrender 70
the king and then trust to the
r decision that he would make.
/ Now that the treaty has been
ratified and Spain eliminated
) from the question the American
j people are free to take such action
: as the circumstances require.
Shall our nation enter upon q
j career Of conquest and substitute
{ the doctrine OF force for the pur-
r pose of example and influence oi
! counsel? Our forefathers fought
J for independence under a banner
1 upon which was inscribed the
{ motto Millions for defense, but
PINOT one cent for tribute. Anc
i 50 tho American people who no
only desire independence but arc
willing to encourage independ.
( ence in other races, can fly {
!, banner upon which is inscribed Z
: similar motto: millions for de.
! fense, but not one cent for con.
/ quest
"Some of the advocates Of ,
: colonial policy have sought tC
I lay upon those who opposed thu
4 ratification of the treaty the re.
! sponsibility for the bloodshet
around Manila. While ] believed
o and still believe and make th,
? fight OF Philippine inGegenGenc,
before the American people rath,
; er than through diplomatic nego
! tiations with Spain, deny tina
. the senators who opposed ratifi-
: cation were in any way RESPONSE
BILE for the commencement D
hostilities. The responsible,
4 rests not upon those who opposed
+ the treaty, but upon those VIII
4 refused to disclose the nation
purpose and left the Filipinos /,
believe that their rights agains
's Spain instead Of bringing then
d independence had only brouah
a them a change OF masters.
's was the desire to be inGependen
= that led the Filipinos to resis
II American authority and their de
: sire fer independence was not in
spired by any American opposi
e ton to the terms of the treaty.
2 will be remembered that the Fill
pinos issued declaration of in