The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-01-14
MASON is HEARD.
I'm Favor of Independence for
FiIipinos.

Washington, Jan. ll.-Senator Mason
Uil) occupied the attention OF the senate
for nearly ih hours Tuesday with n speech
In support OF his resolution declaring that
the United States will never attempt to
govern the people OF any country without
their consent In many respects the speech
was one OF the most notable utterances
In the senate thus far this session Rugged
In language. pointed and effective In IL
lustration. Senator Mason commanded the
attention OF the senate and OF the galleries
rom the first sentence OF his speech TO tho
apostrophe to liberty which formed his
pcroration. Several times spontaneous
applause swept over the galleries. but un-
der the stringent rules OF the senate II WAS
Quelled quickly. II was several minutes
after the conclusion OF the speech before
the senate could proceed with its business
on account OF the confusion incident TO the
congratulations which many OF Senator
Mason's colleagues FASTENED TO extend TO
him.
at IS easy TO drift with the tide" be-
gan Mr.. Mason. but II Is not always safe.
The simple resolution ! have introduced
has nothing necessarily TO do with any
treaty. nor do l intend TO speak OF any pro-
posed treaty.
The resolution does not involve a ques-
ton OF law. but Is a question as TO the flu
ture policy OF this republic. ! am will
ing to trust the people, and ] want the
fore the verdict Is rendered.
I'VE may talk OF Il as we please. but
there Is nothing that satisfies the human
mind In an enlightened age. unless man Ia
governed by his own country and the In
stitutions OF his own government.
I'VE are now asked TO say 10 the clti-
zens OF the Philippines: You poor. ignorant
creatures, you can't govern yourselves:
We viii extend our commerce. and we will
do Il for you. You don't know how 10
tax yourselves, and In order that we may
continue to exercise our Christian duty
10 you we Will prevent your exercising
sovereignty, We Will exercise that func-
tion ourselves Mr.. President. they will
never learn TO govern themselves while
We govern them.
Our own was the first great republic,
and in the better and broader sense our flag
floats from the dome OF every republic.
From Brazil TO Nicaragua and Venezuela
the brave little republican flag Is floating
IL may not be striped or starred like our
own, but II Is born OF the spirit or our
spirit. wherever IL floats. and IL breathes
ueilance TO the monarchies OF the world,
because our flag Ia IN our sky and because
the Monroe doctrine Is written forever In
the hearts OF the people"
The Filipino is begging TO treat with us
as to his own land; he acknowledges our
gallant services there Is no honest COM
mercial treaty that an honest nation could
ASK NnAl lNNN are nor Nlliik TO consent 10.
They want liberty. as we did. and when
sU.O00.0O0 people have heard their cry FOR
mercy and independence the father In
New England viii plead for the father IN
Manila, the mother In Illinois Will pray
for the poor mother in the islands OF the
tea. the fathers Will vote az the mothers
pray; the poisoned Views OF selhshness
Will have had It's run. and God help the
party that urges war on the native who
defends only his liberties and his home.
All, MIR. President. have we got TO night
ana plead for these people as we did for
Cuha? Are we 10 hear Aguinaldo and his
followers called robbers and cutthroats. as
we heard OF the brave Garcia and his fol-
lowers within the last " months in this
chamber? Why not make them our friends
forever instead OF our enemies? Why
stingily withhold the jewel OF independ-
enee? Why not finish this war az we began
IT, for humanity's sake? Why not with n
free and open hand give to them what we
have promised TO give to Cuba? Then we
have kept our promise. then have we
bound them TO US by bands stronger than
steel, and then can we answer the ISLANDERS
Of Europe. who called us iand-grabbers.
Pointing TO Bedloe's island we can say:
See, the liberty cap IL not crown: see.
the goddess has turned on her pedestal
and. with Searchlight. swept the continent:
see, 10000 miles across the water. the seed
sown at Concord has taken root there. and
ilaunts its defiant flag OF self-government
ct the very portals OF the orient
Referring TO the statements that the
Americans intended 10 give the Philippines
liberty, Senator Mason said: How IN
liberty 10 be established? Is It TO be done
hypodermically with l3-inch gun? Are
not our men and ships lying or Ilollo7
Did not the natives who have been our ally
drive the Spanard outY Are they not In
possession OF their own land. their own
homes Are they guilty OF any crime ex-
ccpt or love or home and country Hav-
Ing worn the spanish yoke so long. do you
wonder at their fear OF ours2 Shall we
shoot shem and burn their homes because
God Almighty has planted In their hearts
and 10 their lips the sweet song OF lib
trty? Forbid Il, Almighty God.
but. Mr.. President. we are told that we
must civilize them, which part OF our civ
we show them how to run municipalities
with Doodle aldermen? | see the chief OF
that great ethical society. known as Tam
many han, says keep the Islands. hold
them. Shall We send them TO teach the un-
taught Philippines cleanliness and mu-
nicipal po.iticsI Shall we teach them TO
worship money or the man who has III
Shall we have special instructions to teach
them how TO Kill postmasters and their
wives and children because OF their com
pleXion2 Shall we have Illustrations show
ing enlarged pictures. the works OF our
mobs within the last 90 days ia North Caro-
lima. South Carolina and Illinois? Shall
we teach them how TO organize trusts. so
that one or two men can raise the price OF
the necessities OF life to all the people
Shall we amend and print Lincoln's Get
tysburg speech. SO that II Will read: "A
government OF all OF the people. by part
Of the neople. for a few OF the people7
"Ah. Mr. President. the fever has been
upon US. Thank God, l believe the crisis
is past. The people have been dashed into
fury by the press. the glorious achieve
ments Of our army and navy have set the
national pulse beating high. but the land
grabbing fever Is gradually reccdlng. and
the unnatufally un-Amcrican desire TO
govern another without his consent. thank
God. Is not 80 strong to-day as II was but
few days since Mr. President. l am
through. l 30 not expect TO escape bitter
criticism. | have seen so much OF sacrl-
fee on The part OF others In all OF the past
FOR the cause OF liberty would for II sacri-
ice my seat among you. IN which | take
great honor. as chccrfuliy AZ would part
with n crust or bread. | have wished for
that magnetic strength that would help
me to burn within your hearts the sacred
word OF liberty. not Spanish liberty for
Cuba, not liberty for you prescribed by