Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-04-26

Invited to attend Jefferson banquet given
by the Republicans of Boston. Those whose
memories run back to ante-bellum days re-
member that the declaration of independ-
ence formed large part of Republican
speeches In the early days. 1t was made a
part Of the first platform on which Abraham
Lincoln ran. That Lincoln was welded to
the fundamental doctrine set forth in that
declaration no one Will dispute. In express
ing regret that he could not attend the Bos-
Ton banquet above referred TO, Mr.. Lincoln
ferson:
a., All honor to Jefferson; to man who In
me concrete presence Of struggle for ma
tional independence by n single people had
me GOODNESS. forecast and capacity to Intro
nm an abstract truth applicable to all men and
an times, and so to embalm it there that
to-day and In all coming days 1t shall be a
rebuke and stumbling block to the har-
pihgcrs OF reappcaring tyranny and opprcs-
Sion"
Proclamation to Fiiipinos.
And yet the leaders of the Republican
party are attempting to deny these truths
written for all men and for all times. They
are attempting to repudate the doctrine of
equal rights and of sef-government given to
US by the forefathers. Not only are they
Initiating the monarchies of the old world
IN their policies, but they are copying the
language of monarchs In carrying out their
policies. In the proclamation recently Is
sued to the Filipinos we find these words:
In" commission desires TO assure the peo-
pie of the Philippine Islands of the cordial
good VIII and fraternal feeling which is en-
tcrtalned for them by the President of the
United States and by the American people.
The aim and object of the American Gov
ernment, apart from the fultllment of the
solemn obligation 1t has assumed toward the
FAMILY of nations by Its acceptance of SOW
ereignty over the Philippine Islands, is the
well.beins. prosperity and protection of the
Philippine people and their elevation and
advancement to a position among the most
civilized peoples of the world"
Compare this with the language used by
the Queen In her proclamation to the people
Of India In 1858. when she said:
We had ourselves bound to the natives of
our Indian territory by the same obligations
OF duty which bind us to our other sub
jects." And "in their prosperity will be our
strength. In their contentment our security,
and In their gratitude our best reward"
Evil Results Shown.
1t will be noticed that benevolencee
breathes through both declarations And
then as to their participation in government
the proclamation to the Filipinos says:
There shall be guaranteed to the Philip
pine people an honest and effective civil ser.
vice, in which to the fullest extent to which
The Queens proclamation read:
And 1t Is our further will that so far as
may be onr subjects, of whatever race or
creed, be freely and impartially admitted to
offices In our service the duties of which
they may be qualified by their education.
ability and Integrity duly to discharge"
And yet, In spite of these promises made
to the people of India forty years ago, the
people of India to-day complain that the of
fees are filled by the younger sons Of British
aristocracy, while the taxes are paid by the
people of India. The policy Of Imperialism
Is always defended on the ground that 1t Is
for the good of the people governed. but we
have never recognized the right Of any ma
tion to benevolently assimilate another
nation.