Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-10

pines than there is of our governing Nene-
zuela, Brazil Nicaragua or any other South
American state without the consent OF
the people. Certainly we have no more
right to govern the Philippines than we
have Cuba. There is no such thing as
teaching the art of self government with
a Mauser gun There is but one, and only
one way, to learn the art, that is through
the gate of responsibility, and along the
rough and rugged road of experience.
But distinguished gentlemen who claim
a monopoly patriotism, who don't seem
to observe the difference between exDen-
sion and explosion, say that we, who be-
lieve in getting the consent of the gov
erned before We govern them, want to
give back the Philippines to Spain. Every
one who makes the statement knows that
we want nothing Of the sort Mexico was
invaded by the French and we said to them
go, it is covered by the Monroe doctrine
France withdrew her troops and the brave
struggling republic is climbing up the scale
| OF civiliza tion-slowly but surely. That is
the expansion 1 believe in. That is the
Imperialism that Monroe taught us
The Situation at IloiIo.
Referring to the statements that the
Americans intended to give the Philippines
liberty, Senator Mason said: Flow is lib
erty to be established? Is it to be done hy-
podermcaly with thirteen-incfI gun? Are
not our men and ships lying off Iloilo? Did
not the native who has been ally drive
the Spaniard out? Are they not in possess
sion of their own land, their own homes?
Are they guilty of any crime except of love
of home and country? Having worn the
Spanish yoke so long. do you wonder at
their fear of ours? Shall we Shoot them
and burn their homes because God AL
mighty has planted in their hearts and on
their lips the sweet song of liberty? For
bid it, Almighty God.
But, Mr.. President, told that we
must civilize them; which part Of our civ
ilizaton shall we give them first? Shall we
show them how to run municipalities with
Doodle aldermen? | see the chief of that
great ethical society, known as Tammany
Hall, says. Keep the islands; hold them
Shall We send him TO teach the untaught
fflipinos cleanliness in municipal politics?
Shall we teach them to worship money. or
the man who has it? Shall we have special
instructors to teach them how to kill post
masters and their wives and children be-
cause of their complexion? Shall We have
illustration showing enlarged pictures the
works of our moOs within the last ninety
days in North Carolina, South Carolina and
Illinois? Shall teach them how to or
ganize trusts, so that one or two men
raise the price of necessities of life to all
the people? Shall we amend and print Lin
coins Gettysburg speech so that it will
read: "A government of all the people by
a part of the people for few of the peo-
ple?'
Gentlemen may say I belittle our own
institutions oh, no. ] simply call attention
to the beam in our own eye, to prevent,
find the mote in the eyes of the PHILIPPINE
10000 miles away.
Have we the right to purchase SOW
ergnty, and If we have such Il right have
we the right to purchase it from Spain,
who had no right and whose title we had
already discredited among the nations of
the world? If We purchase the Spanish
title of sovereignty, would we then have
the trust title?
Government of the Islands.
ho
Islands, Who among us wishes to vote
for laws here to govern them 10000 miles
| away? l never their homes l never
spoke with one of them, and / don't know
their language, l could not live in their eli
mate don't know their institutions. Who
is there here on this hill In Washington |
say. to write laws to govern these people
whose very language we do not under
stand?
An, Mr.. President, the fever has been
upon us. Thank God, | believe the crisis
is past. The people have been dashed into
fury by the press, the glorious achieve
ments OF our army and navy have set the
national pulse beating high but the land
grabbing fever is gradually receding and
the unnaturally unamerican desire to gov
eru another without his consent thank
COO, IS not so strong today as it was but
a few days since.
Mr.. President I am through l do not
expect to escape bitter criticism. l have
seen much of sacrifice on the part of
others in all of the past for the cause of
liberty, l would for it, sacrifice my seat
among you. in which l Take great honor,
as cheerfully as l would part With a crust
of bread. l have wished for that magnetic
strength that would help me to- burn with
in your hearts the sacred word of liberty,
not Spanish liberty for Cuba not liberty
for you prescribed by me, not liberty for
me prescribed by you; not English liberty
for America, not American liberty for the
Philippines, but liberty universal, for which
our fathers died"