The San Francisco call., 1899-02-09
PUBLIC OPINION AND IMPERIALISM.
I HEN, as mighty force in modern times,
" Mr.. Webster recognized "the public opinion

w Mr.. Webster recognized "the public opinion
OF the civilized world" he referred to that
settled public opinion which the product OF reason
applied to fact by the educated human mind. 1t IS
now ee-quarters of century since the 1ndepen7
dence of Greece was accomplished and notwithsand-
ing frauds and failures that have stained and check
cred national life that force has increased in breadth
and intensity until it has become prevailing in
fuence that neither despotism nor freedom can sue
cessully defy. 1t has modified imperialism in Europe.
i has substantially dedicated the North and South
American continents including the Dominion OF
Canada, to republicanism 1t has created and main
tanned the republic of France 1t has forced Austria,
Italy Germany and Russia into recognition OF the
| common people. 1t has stripped Spain OF her pos
sessions, by one, until, isolated and tumultuous,
she is the sole representative in the civilized world Of
the expiring throes of medievaism.
Armies and navies scientifically organized and
disciplined, have been proximate instrumentallties
through which the national transformations and ex-
tensions OF the nineteenth century have been largely
effected immigration commerce, trade steam, cleo
tricy, the great inventions and developments OF
have been powerful agencies in the irresistible march
Of civilization But penetrating and in the ultimate
analysis controlling them all, the motor of progress
has been and is the public opinion of the civilized
world.
In the United States settled public opinion has been
the victor in every vital national controversy. 1t
struck the keynote for humanity in the Declaration
OF Independence. 1t hardened the thirteen colonies,
hot and palpitatng from the Revolutionary War, into
autonomous States and consolidated them into
sttutiona union. 1t destroyed the slave trade. 1t
extrpated slavery. 1t swept into the sepulcher Of
dead wrongs the last denial OF Pc ona rights and of
equality before the law 1t insured every citizen his
free soul and his free mind, restrained only for the
] t. IL
nationality a fact inspired by living and eternal
sentiment And all these unequaled achievements it
symbolized in flag, waving from ocean to ocean
over forty-fve States and cemented Caucasian
Union.
1t is this American public opinion radiant with past
conquests and meeting issues with confidence and
with judgment, ernanating from intelligence, from
education and from principle, that will interpret the
treaty of Paris and settle the questions of imperialism
and of Asiatc annexation Slowly forming, slowly
rising slowly spreading it will not be diverted into
revolutionary channels by fasehood by sophstry
by treason 1t will not be seduced by the dazzle of
Roman dream or the splendor of British example
1t will hold to the model Of the republic 1t will not
substitute Confucius, the Koran the vile theories Of
paganism for the American charter and for the eegy
of Washington, which was the birthrght of nation
1t will teach-it has taught-the Fipinos that our
flag is sacred alike at the seat of government and in
Manila, but it will not clasp them in the embrace Of
American citizenship nor place the foot of American
sovereignty in their racial degradation and their
swetering barbarism 1t will search Asiatc seas and
the Asiatc continent and islands wherever commerce
offers reciprocal advantages 1t will diffuse truth and
morality wherever ignorance solicits light and suffer
ing pleads for relief But it will remain the American
republic, with its constitution unimpared, multiplying
its population, enriched by nourishing blood,
gathering wealth from its and from the
involuntary contributions OF other lands and execu-
ing for the world the solemn trust that never be
impaired until liberty itself is crucihed.