The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1899-01-12
Suggestions to Reflection,

1t is sometimes easier to call
speaker on any subject "a blather-
skite," a "wind bag" or "political
demagosue" than 1t is to answer
his arguments or explain away his
statements.
w. J. Bryan made an address be-
fore the Duckworth club at Cincin-
natl on Friday night In which he
said some things which cannot be
put aside by sneers or jibs or abuse
OF the speaker. No matter who
said them, they are truths which
A merlcans who have the welfare
Of their country at heart cannot
afford to ignore.
Discussing the question of the
Philippines and the colonial policy
to be adopted in their government,
Mr.. Bryan said:
Whether we can govern colonies
as we'll as other countries can is
not material; the real question is
whether we can, in one hemisphere,
develop the theory that govern.
ments derive their just power from
the consent Of the governed, and at
the same time inaugurate, support
and defend in the other hemisphere
government which derives its
authority entirely from superior
force. And, II these two ideas Of
government cannot live together,
which one shall we choose?
Leave Bryan's personality out of
the question altogether and take
the question contained in that
paragraph at its face value, regard
less of by whom stated, is it not a
serious one deserving the most
thoughtful consideration of every
American? Read 1t over and do a
little quiet thinking upon 1t, with.
out personal or partisan prejudice
and free from the excitement OF
war recollections.
Here is another passage which
the American people would do we'll
to "read, mark, learn and inwardly
digest" without reference to its
authorship;
If we enter upon a colonial policy,
we must expect to hear the COM
mand "Silence!" issuing with In.
creasing emphasis from the i'm.
perialists. When the discussion OF
fundamental principles is attempt.
ed In the United States, If a mem.
ber of congress attempts to criticise
any injustice perpetrated by a gov.
ernment official ag ainst helpless
people, he will be warned to keep
silent lest his criticism encourages
resistance to American authority
in the Orient. If an orator on the
Fourth Of July dares to speak OF
inalienable rights or refers with
commendation to the manner in
which our forefathers resisted Ia xa.
tiOn without representation, he
will be warned to keep silent lest
his utterances excite rebellion
among distant subjects. If we
adopt a colonial policy and pursue
the course which excited the re.
volution Of 1776, we must muffie
the tones of the old liberty bell and
commune in whispers when we
praise the patriotism OF our FORE
fathers.
That this is no idle assumption
will be evident to anyone who re-
calls that when the peace negotia-
tions were proceeding in Paris and
some newspapers objected to the
United States assuming ownership
of the Philippines with the onerous
responsibilities that ownership
would devolve upon s,those papers
which deemed it their duty to
champion the administration pol
Icy, no matter what 1t might be,
raised the cry that such objections
were disloyal and impeding the
progress Of the negotiations and
the directors were denounced as
"allies Of Spain."
In closing his address Mr.. Bryan
said:
We cannot afford to destroy the
Declaration OF Independence; we