The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-03
The Argument of a Rhetorlcian.

In his article in the Independent on
the Philippine question Mr. Bryan says:
"A republic cannot enter upon a colo
NAL policy. 1t cannot advocate gov
ernment by consent at home and gov
eminent by force abroad. The Declar-
alton of Independence will lose its
value when we proclaim the doctrine.
familiar in Europe but detestable here.
that governments are round in SHAPE,
fred out Of cannon"
Three years ago Mr.. Bryan seemed
20 think that a republic could do any
thing, even 10 the establishment of
financial policy oblivious of the teach
ings of experience elsewhere. The best
answer to Mr. Bryan's first assertion
is that a republic, TO wit, this republic,
has already entered upon a colonial
policy and the chances are that this
policy will be continued.
Government by consent is not advo-
Gated at home by the American people
represented in the Mckinley adminis-
tration any more than it is advocated
by them abroad Government by con-
sent is preferred in both places, but
when there is rebellion against 1t, gov
ernment by force puts rebellion down.
The doctrine that governments are
round in shape, about thirteen inches
in diameter and fired out of cannon" is
an American doctrine whenever there
is need for such a doctrine. 1t was
American doctrine in 1872; it was
American doctrine in the Mexican war;
1t was American doctrine throughout
the long series of our conflicts with
marauding and laWless Indians: it was
American doctrine from 1861 to 1866 and
1t was good and wholesome American
doctrine last year, even winning at
that time the approval and co-opera-
ton of the late colonel of Nebraska
volunteers. 1t is the doctrine of force
to establish and preserve peace when
other means fail and if there were not
such a doctrine all governments would
perish.
Let us now consider what Colonel
Bryan has to offer in the way of spe-
cific suggestions to meet the existing
condition. 'IS the doctrine of self
government is sound, the Filipinos are
entitled to govern themselves and the
president can now promise them inde-
pendence as soon as a stable govern
ment can be established. If the presi-
dent is not willing to take the respon-
sibility of enforcing the doctrine set
forth in the Declaration of Independ-
ence, he can call congress together and
let it take the responsibility. spe-
cial session would be less expensive
than the war, not to speak of the prin-
ciples involved"
a good answer to the first of these
remarks is that under the constitution
the president has no power TO promise
any permanent form of government to
territory. That is exclusively for con-
gress to do. If Mr.. Mckinley were to
usurp the prerogative of congress, as
| suggested by Colonel Bryan, the first
to call him TO account would be Colonel
Bryan himself.
AS to the proposition for an extra
| session, what is to be gained by it that
would not be gained by awaiting the
regular session? The Filipinos already
know by executive proclamation that
they are to have, under whatever form
of government congress shall establish
for them, every liberty which they ex.
hibit capacity for, and justice and
opportunities far superior to any which
they could secure for themselves if put
to the test of independence without
preparation. In spite of this knowledge
they are in arms against us, Shall we
| yield first or shall they be made to
yield and then instructed and put in
the way of self-improvement?
Mr.. Bryan argues like a smart rhet-
| orician who tries to make clever
phrases conceal a scarcity of common
sense.
Quarantine and cleanliness are bound