River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-10-19
Misrepresentation.

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less reprehensible because it is gen.
eral. The custom of mirepresenta-
ton in politics is almost the uniyer-
sal practice by the opposition, 1t
is characteristic of Office seekers,
party leaders, "heelers" and follow
ers. Newspapers, which are gener-
ally fair in statement when any
other subject is under consideration,
are often recklessly unfair in state
ment when current politics is under
discussion, giving countenance TO
Misrepresentation concerning the
acts and policy of the opposition in
politics. Half truths--which are
often worse in effect than direct
lie are enunciated and false prem
ises stated for the purpose of draw
ing conclusions detrimental to the
true policy and intention of the par
ty in question. Some Republican
papers are so ardently attached to
the policy of territorial extension
that they often even characterize any
outspoken opposition to this fad as
in the nature of treason to the gov
eminent, the persons expressing a
doubt of the wisdom of colonial ex-
pansion as "copperheads." The fact
is that while there are a few Republic
ans who do not agree with the adj
ministrationi in its Philippine policy
there are many Democrats who
heartily support it. But the op-
position to this policy never state
the case fairly. They persist in
misrepresentation. 1t has been a
standing assertion in opposition
papers that we bought the Philip
pines, paying s2O,OO0,0O0. Well,
isn't it true? Yes, and no. The
payment Of the $20,000,000 was first
a matter of expediency and secondly
matter of right. Expedient be-
cause to this the Spanish Com
missioners would give consent to
relinquish the possession-otherwise
we must proceed with the war to Sc
cure possession. A matter of right
because the Spanish government
owed that amount for money
borrowed for public works and
permanent Improvements of a
pacific character in the. Philippines.
Who will say it was not in the
nature Of a moral obligation for the
United States to pay the innocent
holders of bonds who had paid for
these public works of which the
United States became the beneficiary?
The Madison Democrat says:
But there are many like Gov. SEQ
field, who are outspoken, that the
war in the Philippines could be
stopped by assuring the natives that
they are not to be treated as a con-
quered people, and that a mistake
had been made in awakening their
fears and distrust of US.
The statement here made is
deliberate misrepresentation. In
deed the facts are directly opposed
to the implication. The insolent
Tagals commenced the war and still
persist in it Notwithstanding the fact
that they have been assured again
and again that they would not be
treated as a conquered people. The
Madison Democrat and every other
individual of sense knows that the
Filipinos under the government of
the United States would have as
much liberty as the people of Ari-
IONA and New Mexico. "Our flag"
says President Mckinley, "waves
in the Philippines not as a banner
of Imperialism, not as a symbol of
oppression but it waves there as
here and as it waves everywhere the
flag of freedom, of hope, of home,
and of civilization"