Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-01-13
FRIDAY. JANUARY ID, 1899.
UNAMERICAN ASSIMILATION"

UNAMERIcAN ASSIMILATION"
The following vigorous editorial con-
corning Mr.. McKInley's recent proclama-
ton to the inhabitants of the Philippines
is from the New York World, one of the
great newspapers of the country that
supported Mr.. McKinley's election. 1t is
severe arraignment of the policy of the
administration on this question, as shown
by the proclamation, but we do not be-
lieve that 1t expresses in any too strong
terms the natural adherence of Ameri-
cans for any policy of subjugation of
peoples who desire their freedom, and
have, in accordance to our principles
and beliefs, an inalienable right to such
freedom.
The proclamation OF President Mckinley to
the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands be-
gins with assumption that is not fact,
He aflirms that the destruction of the SPANS
fleet and the reduction of the city of Manila
..pre ctically effected the conquest of the
Philippine Islands"
Yet it is a fact known to Mr.. Mckinley and
patent to the Whole world that the American
forces have not foothold on single one of
the 200 islands save only LuZon that even
the re our practical Sovereignty" Is confined
TO me city Of Manila; that this city is sur
rounded on the land side by the intrenched
army OF the insurgents; that lloi1O, the second
city of the group, is in possession of the
native army; that the remnant of Spanish
authority in all the southern and southeast
ern islands has recently been overthrow by
the insurgents; and finally, that the Filipinos
have an organized government, under able
leaders, which refuses to acknowledge our
authority and declares its unfalteTing deter
minatiOn to continue the struggle for freedom
and independence begun years before our
war with Spain and maintained more success
fully than was the revolt OF the Cubans
The primary fact ls that the conquest of the
Philippine Islands is yet to be made. Why
else are we dispatching battle ship, gun
boats and more troops to Manila? Spain, for
$780, 90 ,00O in cash and release from $35,OOOO 900
in claims of American citizens which under
the treaty our government assumes, ceded
sovereignty which she did not exercise. terri.
tory which she did not control and possession
which she cannot convey.
But assuming the "rights of sovereignty"
and "the responsible obligations of govern
ment," the President conveys to the Filipinos
his intentions in regard to them. These in
tentions are expressed in his beautiful phra sc
benevolent assimilation" We thank the
president for this characteristic coinage of
his brain. II is a phrase that will expand
even the oeag nous smile of Mark Hanna and
combine mercenary motives with missionary
cant.
benevolent assimilation" is the climax of
humbug and hypocrisy as applied t, that
"for,ible annexation" which MIR. Mckinley
once declared would be "criminal aggres-
sion"
Yet in performing this "high duty" the
president directs Gen. Otis to warn the
Filipinos that all of them who object TO thi
"benevolent assimilation" will be "brought
Sal
firmness ii need be-" and by the ''strong arm
of authority" What this means the benight
ed strugglers for that freedom and independ
ence which our fathers one hundred and
twenty three years ago declared to be among
the "unalenable rights of man." will learn in
the kindergarten of conquest, where cannon
and bayOnets are teachers.
In short, they must choose between "bene
VIOLENT assimilation" and bloody subjugatiOn
But in order that the choice of assimilation
may be made as palatabe as possible the
president assures the Filipinos that "tht
authority of the United States is to be exerte6
for the security of the persons and property
OF the people of the islands and for the con
firmation of all their private rights ant
relations" Or, as he states it again. they art
promised "that full measure OF individual
rights and liberties which is the heritage o
free peoples"
But what about national and politica
rights? How can any people be "free" whC
are governed without their consent? Wha
assurance of justice have a people who ar
ruled against their will, who are taxed with
out representation and who are doomed t.
"assimiation" under the "strong arm o
authority"
The president leaves no doubt in the mind
of the people of this country as to his purpos
in regard TO the Philippines. There is to be
first, government "within the absolut
domain of military authority"-in otbe
words. military despotism. And then tn
"assimilation" of American ideas, unde
duress, by 100000 of mongrels and savages
and the cOincident "assImilaton" of thi
Malay pandemonium by the United States
We are to make these barbarians part G
the American people by brute force
necessary-to annex them, against their viii
and though 10000 miles distant, to a
American brotherhood of equal states an
equal citzenshipl-as if we needed then
wanted them, or had not, with our negroe
and our immigration-with Cuba at our doc
and Porto Rico on our hands-aready
problem in assimilation" serious enough I
tax our capacity to the uttermost!
The presidents proclamation for the frs
time definitely defines his policy in tn
Philippines 1t is not to assist the Filipino
to selfgovernment as we are doing for tn
Cubans. 1t is "the bestowal of the blessin
of good and stable government upon tn
people of the Philippine Islands under tn
free flag OF the United States"
A "free flag" the banner in a war of col
quest "free flag" the emblem of a militar
despotismi Stree flag" cleansed from tn
blot of slavery at home to be raised over
vassal people abroad
In congress and throughout the country tn
question Will be asked, Where did NJ
Mckinley get his authority for this extri
ordinary action? Not in the constitution
Not in any statute. Not In the declaration {