The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-08-04
GOSPEL OF GUNPOwDER.

The benevolent assimilation" policy
OF President Mckinley should be more
fittingly called the gospel of gunpow-
der" for such it surely is. To argue
that forcible annexation is intended for
the benefit of the Filipinos is simply
ridiculous. Discussing the Importance
of the Philippine question, William J,
Bryan says:
"The Philippine question is import
ant because fundamental principles are
involved in it's discussion. There are
two sources OF government-force and
consent. Monarchies are founded on
force, republics upon consent.
"The Declaration of independence
asserts that governments derive their
Just powers from the consent of the
governed, and this is the doctrine to
which we have adhered for more than
a century. 1t is the doctrine which has
distinguished us from European coun-
tries and has made our nation the hope
of humanity. The statue in New York
harbor typifes the nations mission.
"If the doctrine set forth in the Dec
laration of independence is sound, how
can we rightfully acquire sover-
eighty over the Philippines by
war of conquest? If the doc
trine set forth in the Declaration
of Independence is sound, how can we
rightfully purchase sovereigntyfrom a
Spanish sovereign whose title we dis
puted in Cuba and whose rebellious
subjects we armed in the Philippines
SIN the resolution of Intervention
congress declared that the Cubans
were and of right ought to be free.
| Why? Because governments derive
their just powers from the consent of
the governed, and Spain had refused to
respect the wishes of the Cubans. II
the Cubans were and OF right ought to
be free, why not the Filipinos?
SIN the beginning of the Spanish war
congress denied that our nation had
any thought OF extending it's territory
by war. IL we then had no thought of
securing by conquest new territory in
the western hemisphere, why should
we now think OF securing in the east
ern hemisphere new races for subjuga-
tion?
SAN individual may live a double
life when only one life Is known. When
both lives are known he can lead only
one life, and that the worst. A repub.
lie cannot enter upon colonial policy.
1t cannot advocate government by con-
sent at home and government by force
abroad.
"The Declaration OF Independence
will loose its value when we proclaim
the doctrine familiar In Europe, but
detestable here, that governments are
round in shape, about 80 inches II
diameter and fired out OF cannon.
"For more than century this NatioI
} has been travelling along the pathway
which leads from the low domain O
might to the lofty realm of right, anC
its history has been without parable
in the annals OF recorded time
: What will be our fate i
: we turn backward, and begin
the descent toward force and con
quest.
, SIT is not sufficient to say that thu
: forcible annexation of the Philippin
. islands is benevolent undertaking en-
I tered upon for the good OF the Filipin
! os. Lincoln pointed out that this ha
e always been the argument OF kings. T.
3 use his words they always bestrod
y the necks OF the people, not that the
{ wanted TO do 1t, but because the pee
d pie were better off for being ridden"
ri 1T is surprising that any believer Il