The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-11
THE DEMOCRATIC POSITION MiSUNDER'
STOOD.

The only way for the Democrats to
cut loose from Aguinaldo is to cnt loose
from their opposition to the vigorous
prosecution of the war, and their oppo-
sition to holding as American colonies
our new Spanish possessions Philadel-
phia Times.
The Democratic party has not been
against "a vigorous prosecution of the
war. y If there has been any vigorous
prosecution of the war; the evidences
have not been apparent. There have
been many kilograms telling of wonder
full victories which were misleading and
the censor has suppressed so much of
the truth that the American people
have not known the true conditions in
the Philippine islands The Democrats
have protested vigorously against false
hood, deception and evasion, and so have
all honest men not blinded by partisan
ship. HI sMA4!
The Democratic position upon the
Philippine question is expressed in the
maxim: My country, may it ever be
right. but my country, right or wrong
There are as many Democrats in the
jungles around Manila as of any other
party. Every time they go to battle
they fight for the flag, right or wrong.
and Democrats at home rejoice when
victory perches on the American banner.
But whether in the trenches or in the
hospitals in the Philippines, or at home
in America, the Democrats do mot hest
tate to say that the men temporarily
in charge of the government ought to
have prevented the present hostilities.
They believe that the war is a political
one, brought on to bolster up the adj
ADMINISTRATION, and that the administra-
ton has not desired to terminate it
until after the November elections. They
protest against using the sacred flag
of liberty to wage a war or conquest
against a people who looked upon us
as their friends. If that be treason,
make the most of it.
The Democrats not only protest
against war for conquest, but they
denoun;ce the administration because,
after violating the spirit of the Monroe
Doctrine by buying the Filipinos as in
slave market, they did not promise
them the same independence that was
promised the Cubans. Congress had
compelled the administration to deny
any intention of annexing Cuba. The
sIirit of that resolution included any
other islands which Spain might lose
as the result of the war. Instead of
following the clearly implied directions
of Congress, the President entered upon
a policy of criminal aggression and CO.
lonial acquisition and began a war to
snbjugate the Fiipinos VINO had already
almost won their independence. 1t
was not the act Of Congress, it was
not in accordance with the traditions of
our government, it was against the
wishes of the American people. 1t
was begun for gain-political gain for
Mckinley and pecuniary gain for the
syndicates that control the administra-
III,
end until the politicians and the traders
believe it to their interest to terminate
the war. 1t is only a question of
short time to find Aguinaldo defeat and
capture him when the administration
really intends it to be done. The war
can be readily ended by a capture of
the leaders, but the youngest man now
living will not live hong enough to see
the Filipinos submit to American rule.
They will fight again and again, as
they have been doing, and we will never
conquer their desire for independence
until we have exterminated them.
But" some one will say, what is
the Democratic attitude then?" If we
understand the attitude Of the Demo
cratic party it is that Congress should
be called in session, and that the same
guarantees Of independence be given 10
the Filipinos that have been made to the
Cubans and calling upon Aguinaldo
and his followers to lay down their
arms, and go to work to organize a
government that shall represent the will
of the people of those islands. This does
not mean that Aguinaldos government
should be recognized or rejected, but
that the Filipinos select the government
that they desire without our dictation. If
Aguinaldo cares more for his own ele-
walton than the independence of his
country, and if with these guarantees
he should hold out against our troops,