The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-02-01
MKINLEY SCORED.
BY a Republican Congressman in
Hot Speech.
OPPOSING THE ARMY BILL.
The Presidents Course De.
nounced as Policy of
Evasion, Hypocracy
and Arrogance.
and Arrogance.


While discussing the army reorgani-
zation bill in the House of Representa-
tives last Wednesday Mr.. Johnson, a
Republican member from Indiana, took
occasion to pitch into President Nc
kinley with gloves Off
while the president in the pres
ence Of what he may conceive to be a
popular demand he began, is hurry
ing the army and navy across the sea
to inHict upon an alien people govern
ment against their will and propose,
tearlessly. without regard to its effect
upon my personal fortunes, to make a
plea for liberty. and an argument
against the preparation Of injustice.
'We were on the verge Of crisis, "
said Mr. Johnston. Those who failed
to rush forward in support of the
schemes of the imperialists were being
denounced here in the public press as
'Spaniards, and men who failed in their
duty. His answer was that if the chief
executive would break his silence and
openly state the he did not propose to
enslave the people of the Philippines,
the present strained relations in the is
land would cease, those who were but
yesterday our allies would return to
their homes and there would be no ne
cessity for this proposed increase in the
standing army. No. this would not be
done.
Continuing he drew parallel be-
tween our revolutionary struggle and
the struggle the Fillipinos made for in
dependence. He argued that today
they had stable government, republi-
can in form, a president, -presi-
dent and congress, the whole founded
upon the free consent of the governed.
To attempt to subvert that government,
he charged, would be an ''unspeakable
crime that should bring the blush of
shame to the cheeks of every free born
American. Mr.. Johnston paid high
tribute to Aguinaldo and to Agon-
clio.
eff William Mckinley ever changes
his policy regarding the Philippines, u
he declared in stentorian tones, he
will bend to the weight Of popular opin-
ion to which he bows right or wrong"
This utterance raised a storm of ap-
plause from tn: Democratic side. Mr..
Johnston requested that such Interrupt
tions cease as they took up his time.
Several times before he had made a
similar request.
II should imagine the gentleman
could tolerate Democratic applause, >
interrupted Henderson, Republican. Of
Iowa.
The gentleman can always tolerate
the applause Of honest men. no matter
when it comes" replied Johnston
quickly.
Is the applause WHICH greeted this
rejoinder died away, he added:
And he can also tolerate the narrow
censure of those Of his own party, as
he has done frequently in the past. He
has never been so we'll satisfied with
himself as when his narrow colleagues
were crying HIM down.
II pride myself, Mr., Speaker" he
continued. drawing himself up to his
full height. that | have broadened
since | entered public life. My party
is means, not an end, with me, and
when | believe my party is wrong moth
ing can make me abate my independent
convictions
Proceeding he denounced the presi-
dents course as policy Of evasion, y
and charged that his supporters were
conjuring up specters to drive in the
opposition. If we set the example and
withdraw, recognizing the indepen'
dence Of the Filipinos, others would dc
likewise. But if other countries did
pounce down upon the islands: let them
do it. We were not expressively OF
implicitly responsible. If there was
to be European war, let US, in Gods
name, keep out Of it. The cry went
up, "Ratify the treaty and stop the
war The president arrogated to
himself the right to speak for 10000
900 people.
Il thank God. shouted Johnston:
for the spirit of independence in the
senate Of the United States, irrespec.
tive Of party. Bryan never made q
greater blunder than when he said the
treaty should be ratified and our policy
determined afterwards. ANDREW Car,
negie was nearer right, but he said the
treaty should be fought in the dark.
not the open l say we should fight ii
from start to finish. Public sentiment
should be aroused Its being aroused.
as evidenced by the great public meet
ings in New York and Philadelphia,
and my word for it, it will not be many
months before the tide Of public scnti.
ment which the president vainly i'm.
agines is now carrying HIM to second
term will recedc and leave him high
and dry. The voice Of the people vii
rebuke the spirit Of commerce which
has supplanted the spirit Of liberty.
IF the treaty is ratified without be-
ing coupled with resolution declaring
for the ultimate independence Of the
islands, it will be the death knell Of al
our efforts to stop the torrent.
He would vote for bill to reorganizs
the army. but before God he woult
never vote for standing army Of 100,
600. whose ultimate object was to cs
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