Washington sentinel., 1899-02-18
Pntriotic Leaders

fully SulteQ 10
ton. has said: MANY politicians
of our time are in the habit OF lay
ing dow as seli-evident proPosi-
ton, that no people ought to be
free until they are fit to use their
freedom. The maxim is worthy
of the fool in the old story VINO re-
solved not to go near the water
until he had learnt to swim. II
men are to wait tor liberty until
they become wise and good IN
slavery they may indeed wait Tor
ever"
The attention of the word has
been directed more pointedly TO
the attitude Of the American peo-
ple towards the Filipinos since the
battle of Manila some davs ago
The first dispatches stated that tine
natives were the aggressors' out
subsequent information points
conclusiyely to the fact that the
first guns were not only hred oy
Americans, but that what was done
was exactly what was desired at
Washington to influence the SEN
ate and to inspire the American
people to believe that hostilities
are a necessity to protect the homer
of the nation.
1t must not be forgotten that
humane proclamations had been
issued by Aguinaldo weeks before
this outbreak. On January he
complained bitterly about the out
RACES on native women by AmeTi-
can soldiers. The same spirit OF
conquest prevailed at Manila as in
Porto Rico after the late war, and
women were ravishSd by men
grown drunken by the fruits OF vic
tory. The complaints OF the un-
civilized barbarians were not
needed, and their messe enger who
came to Washington desiring to
effect an honorable settlement OF
the affairs Of the Philippines was
refused recognition by the Cabinet
Of Ministers who represent Chris
tan people. After the Outburst a
short while ago, Aguinaldo pro-
claimed that slavery would be bet
ter than the sacrifice OF national
honor and integrity, and coun-
selled his followers to resist tn" ar
rogance OF the Americans to the
utmost.
While this spirit of conciliation
and a desire to end a struggle Of
centuries of oppression in the Phil
ippines was manifested by the Fill
pinos, what was the feeling in the
United Statesr The politicians and
capitalists have led the Expansion
cry" but have been opposed by
some of their own numbers, such
as Cleveland and Carnegie. The
! press and pulpit has as generally
favored the expansion idea, though
many noble exceptions have been
noted. The labor press has been
a unit in opposition to the cry OF
forming a standing army and add
ing to the glory OF the nation by
bloodshed, and some leading eler-
gymen have added their influence
to the movement for peace and dis
armament.
Rev. A. S. Bigelow, a Congre
gationalist clergyman in Cincin
natl, on January IS preached an
inspiring sermon on "Robert En-
met, leader OF a Forlorn Hope
In Emmet's day Ireland had re-
ligious grievance and a landlord
grievance. Irish Catholics could
be banished for life for refusing to
attend Protestant churches, and
had not the right to educate theiI
own children. Every improvement
which the tenant put upon his farm
thus increasing the value OF the
land, was made the occasion tor a
rise in the rent. II he refused to
pay he was promptly evicted. The
law allowed him no compensation
for the labors Of a lifetime. 1t IS
estimated that between the years
1847 and 1887 nearly a million
people left the country. Evictions
occurred by the thousands yearly
The population OF Ireland in IS4s
was 5000, 600; in 1880 it had been
reduced to 5000, 900. Was mol
John Bright right when he de-
clared that the Irish people were
dispossessed Of their soil1 In 1885
General Gordon, OF Chinese fame
travelled through Ireland. Wher
he returned to England he de
clared that the condition Of tht
Irish people was worse than tina
OF any people in the world. 90
believe" said ne, "that these peo
ole are made as we are, that thel
are patient beyond belief, loyal
but at the same time broken spir