Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1899-02-10
TURN FILlPlNos LOOSE.
An-Able Argument by Learned
= Teaoher-for Thirty Years Pro-
fessor In Richmond College

but in his instructions to the Paris
Peace Commission, directing them to
demand the whole OF the Philippines, he
made one oil. those blunders which have
been aptly designated as worse thau
crimes. 1t was II crime, huge transen-
| dent crime. without warrant and with
out qualification. The President sinned
against light and knowedgc. lie sinned
against his own convictions, ii such u
clangcling can be said TO have any con-
viotions.
We began the war in behalf oi humans
ity-horresco referens-and for the ad-
vancement of liberty. Tho war so he
gun ends as war OF covotousness and
for the establishment of despotsm. Was
there ever so lame n conclusion?
We declared tuat we did not intend to
acquire loot OF territory, and with
that declaration we purchased the neu-
trality OF the world. We have not rem
dcred the quid pro quo; our recent con-
duet hns given tho lie direct to our ma
tionnl declaration. In my soul believe
we stand disgraced III the sight of God
aud in the eyes oi the world.
The dcbnuchery, extravaganza, corrup-
ton, and tyranny that will soon follow
the acquisition of the lilipnos will effect
the downfall OF the republic The huge
army that will be employed to crush
liberty among the Philippines, will be
quite effective also to crush liberty
among ourselves, and directly or
indirectly it will surely do it.
Now, Mr.. Editor, ii an honest man
commits II blunder, whnt course does he
take? He proceeds as quickly as posi-
bic to correct, to undo this act. That
is what we ought to do in regard to the
Spanish treaty. 1t has not been rati-
fled. Let us refuse to ratiiy it. This is
the thing Tor us to do, the only thing.
Ii once we get these islands aud these
people on our hands, we will never get
rid OF them. The fact oi possession will
be the patent argument for further steps
Tor hug navicS, lor stnnding armies, for
ruinous taxation, Tor poverty and polu
tion ut home. Obsta in principiis.
But what will become OF the t'ilipinos
ii we reject the treaty? snys the Imperial
list. But what will bccsme of us il we
don't, is the question that more concerns
us. 1t is the business oil the Federal Gov
ernment 10 protect the rights and inter
est OF the American people, certainly not
tn sacrifice us for the supposed benefit
OF the motley races OF the isles OF the
southern seas.
l can tell you, however, what will
become OF the Filipinos in the event in
question. Spain, with her strength in
tact, could not subdue them. Tho is
landers would in short order wrest their
freedom from Spain, exhausted and rui-
ned by the war. The rejection oi the
treaty will cause delay but what OF that
We are not in hurry to get the Philip
pines. Delay is needed to collect the calm
thought OF the American people, and
when so collected, MIR. Mckinley will
surely find that lie has been altogether
too previous. They want not European
standing armies TO eat out their sub
stance and destroy their liberties; not
the pride, pomp, and circumstance OF
constant war, not the grinding taxation
that would make them poor and keen
them so; not the surrender of their sons
to cOnscription to be sent thousands of
miles away to these deathladen islands
to keep yellow pagans in order; not gor-
geous Imperialism, with its pomp and
luxury and power for thefew at the cost
and suffering of the great body OF the
people. And if the sober thought OF our
people shall hnye an opportunity to as
sert itself, am certain that it will then
appear that the firm, constant, inflexible
Warrington is still the object Of their
idolatry; not the changeiul and capri
cious Mckinley.
Mr.. Editor, is not pity that in these
trying times we have had for our lead
er such weakling ms the President, who
does not even profess to have any con-
victions, and is only eager to discover
'io ''V"u VI pupiiO opihicH. Iie 10 OuIy
II weathercock, not n leader, not guide,
not statesman; utterly unfit for tho
great responsibilities that have fallen
upon him.
The situation has demanded, in the
head OF the government the purest pa
trio tism, clear and positive convictions,
| and dogged and heroic courage;a mind
that "neyer says with doubt nor shakes
with fear" For the lack OF such lead
er wo have fought war with n weak
and decrepit power, lasting only one
hundred days. yet costing $500, ,00O, 900,
with an amount OF laundering, foolish
haste, incompetcncy aud corruption I'M
paraleled in any annals. "The offence is
rank, it smells to Heaven"
We cant hold the FiIipinos as vassals:
we can't annex them. But the idea oi
Il ii. .,I,s -