Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-02-22
MEDICINE LODGE, KANSAS WEDNESDAY FEB o. 1899
Our Philippine Invasion.


1t is sadly unfortunate that Ameri-
cans must cross the ocean to subjugate
few poor suffering Filipinos already
exhausted in resources, and sore from
a hundred years struggle for freedom.
And for what purpose? There can be
none other than conquest of ter
ritory.
Is it for humanity? 1t would be
were we fighting for Filipino freedom:
but to fight against it is tyrannous
1t is unamerican,
Spain fought revolutionists to re-
tain Cuban and Philippine possessions
that were her own; but America is
conquering revolutioDists and gain
ing possessions not her own. Agui.
naldo was in defense of Spanish ter
rltory. Americas further invasion OF
the Philippines could be for no other
purpose than to establish her domin-
ion over those islands.
Tie United States cannot claim the
Philippines on the ground that they
were wrested from Spain because
the islands did not belong wholly to
Spain.
The revolutionists, that is the people
of the Philippines, have rights. They
had their government established and
were disputing Spain's control.
Spain could not cede what was not
wholly hers.
With our modern implements of
war to invade and despoil the lands
of the Filipinos, is disgrace to our
civilization.
In the battle Feb. 9Th one tribe
armed only with bows and arrows
stood in the hottest American fire un-
til nearly all had fallen. Imagine the
guns of American battleshi ps,
directed by American intellect, aimed
by American skill, at the bare breasts
of those ragged people armed only
with sticks and strings-sweeping
away their lives by the thousands
and why7 Because they ask for that
Very liberty that is so dear to the
heart of every American.
For shame, America, do not force
upon another yoke which you your
self would give ysur last drop of life
blood to resist. Remember your own
struggle for liberty. Remember
Valley Forge. For the possession OF
a few paltry dollars or few acres
of marsh land in the miasmic region
of the equator do not sacrihce the
flower of your civilization do not
abandon the foundation principle of
your commonwealth do not desecrate
the spirit sacredly and deeply embed
ded in the mind and soul of every
true American citizen.
American soldiers, come home. We
volunteered to free Cuba, it has been
done: and that far the cause was
most righteous. We cannot charge
Philippine or Cuban patriots for Iiber
ating them. France presented no
bill to us. Let Philippines and Gu
bans establish their own government.
If it is ever necessary again to take
up arms in the cause of the weak, do
so -then-defead their liberty but
never crush it.
Because we have a more powerful
navy and a larger population than
Spain and have defeated that govern
ment in war is no reason why we
should usurp the claims of the revo-
lutionists in Luzon.
We can not advance the argument
that others are not capable of self
government while in our own country
bribery and incorporate greed are such
dominant elements in political affairs.
Perfect our own government before
we extend its dominion-at least by
force of arms over unwilling subjects
Senator Allen of Nebraska speaking