The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-07-16

tween separate independence and autono-
my and the higher privilege of becoming
a state in the American Union. We still
interpose the Monroe doctrine for her pro-
lection against European subjugatfon, if
she should prefer to take her place among
the Independent American Republics. Con-
ditions of equal advantage have been and
are still available to the Philippines, when
those people are prepared to enjoy and pro-
teet their liberties. But faction in these
Islands, the burden Of whose expressions
have rendered them incapable of confidence
In the humanity of foreign powers, and
whose estimate of liberty is only measured
by the desire of personal security that
master can give to slave, led by men
whose business Ii is to speculate in human
blood, refuse to grasp the hand of benevo-
lence extended to save them, and compel
us to teach them that obedience to lawful
authority is the first lesson in self-govern-
ment. The task is ours, because 1t is self
imposed by our devotion to the principles
of free government, whose cardinal tenet is
that liberty regulated by law is the sheet
anchor of all the rights that good govern
ment can secure to mankind.
The flag we have planted on the Philip
pines is consecra ted to the same liberties
1t shelters on the capitol at Washington.
1t can never become the emblem of ty-
ranny or a shelter for oppression.
1t was displayed from the peak of the
olympia as a token of deliverance from
despotism, and it mounted in triumph
above Manila, while the Spanish fleet fight
ing desperately, sank into the sea, utter
ly destroyed This victory, it seems had
cost us little when our losses are COM
pared with the Importance of the results;
and fatuous demand of the people res
cued from Spanish abuses. for sudden re-
venge and for retaliation for terrible
wrongs, murders and rapine inflicted upon
then during long years of agony have
forced us to forbid the excuses they we're
anxious to inf1ict upon the Spaniards. The
filipinos interpreted these restraints as a
denial OF their liberties, and attacked our
army. That Instruction is not vet duelled
1t has caused many conflicts of arms and
great losses of life and property which are
deeply depored. but it has been unavoida-
Die. The lesson of that war is read of all
men, and it teaches the world that the
American soldier is equal to any task that
war can impose upon human endurance at
nome or in the marshes of the tropical
islands They are the equals, on land. of
Deweys sailors on the sea. They rank with
the most intrepid Americans that ever en-
gagged in battle. They have estab lished at
one outpost in the Pacific Ocean. a prestige
Tor our arms and flag that will chill the
hopes OF any invader who may wish to re-
TIRE us from too close observation of his
movements in China for the purpose of
ieHciHs out our rightful commerce in that
quarter. While we are toasting our patriot
soidlers OF ali the wars in this national cell
ebration of our independence let us not
forget that the American people with one
accord, place our army In the Philippines
ABREAST with those most renowned in the
naval and military history of the Republic.
This last anniversary of our independ-
ence that will be celebrated in this century
is proud day for the American people
When we review the growth of our republic
since 1900 1t is as impossible to recall the
steps of our progress as 1t Is to number
the pulsations of the heart of man of full
stature that have built up his life from the
cradle.
The perfected structure of the republic
seems to have reached the destined limit of
its strength and beauty; yet we know that
1t Is only equipped for greater usefulness.
II VIC measure its future possibilities by a
single century of its noble work, we may,
with confidence. look forward to the time
when its influence. exerted through peace
ful agencies, will be felt in the healing OF
the nations, and in raising the human fam
lily to the rightful dignity and power of
self-government