The San Francisco call., 1899-05-01

We have never looked upon ourselves as
predestned TO subdue the earth, to com
pei other nations with sword and fire 10
accept our rules; We have always believed
in human rights, in freedom and oppor-
tunity, in education and religion and we
have invited all men to come ana enjoy
these blessings in this half a world
which God has given US, but We have
never dreamed that they We're articles to
be exported and thrust down unwilling
thrOats at the point of the bayonet. We
have sympathized with all oppressed peo-
pleS-With Ireland, Greece, Armenia and
Cuba. To emancipate the slave we
gladly sacrificed the lives of hundreds of
thousands Of our soldiers. And now the
American soldier, who never shoulders
gun except in righteous cause, is sent
10000 miles across the ocean TO shoot men
whose real crime is that they wish to be
free, wish to govern themselves. To
say that they are unfit for freedom is to
ages and everywhere. The enemies OF
liberty have never lacked for preteXts to
justify their wrong, but, in truth, at the
root of all wars Of conquest there lies lust
for blood or for gold.
If the inhabitants Of the Philippines
came gladly to throw themselves into our
arms we should refuse to do more than
counsel, guide and protect them, until
they form themselves into a stable and
Independent government. What, then Is
TO be thought of those who seem resolved
either to rule or exterminate them, believ-
ing, probably. that the only good Filipino
is a dead Filipino?
The argument that our policy has from
the beginning been one of expansion, has
no application in the present matter. In
purchasing Louisiana and New Mexico
and Upper California, including Nevada
and Utah and most of Arizona and a
part of Colorado, it may be said that we
bought land and not human beings-land
that was part of our inheritance. But,
now, following the lead of our great capi-
talists and trust lords. we buy at one
stroke 10000 900 human beings who live in
another hemisphere, who differ from US IN
every way, who dwell in a climate that
is fatal to the white man, who can be of
no advantage whatever to US. but who,
If we persist il holding them. will involve
us in the most serious difficulties and
dangers
A war of conquest is contrary
to our fundamental principles of gov
ernment: it is opposed to all our tradi-
tions. The thought Of ruling over subject
peoples is repugnant to our deepest and
three or four hundred mnnons of human
beings. If more are required and we are
true to ourselves, British America will
come TO us WIuIout there being need Of
firing a gun. We have money enough
already and our wealth is rapio - increas-
ing. What we have to learn is how to
live. how to distribute our money. how
to take it from its mastery over US and
make II our servant.
Our capital is fast becoming the most
inhuman, the most iniquitous tyrant the
world has ever known. Its tyranny is a
blight and curse to those who exercise
It as well as to the multitude who are its
victims. Commercial and manufacturing
competition is becoming a fierce struggle
for existence Whereas the tendency of
true civilization and religion is to con-
vert the struggle for life into co-opera-
tion for life, into work Of all for all, that
all may have those inner goods which
make men wise. holy, beautiful and
strong; whereas, this is the tendency of
right civilization, our greed. our super
stitious belief in money as the only true
god and savior of man. hurries us on with
increasing speed into all the venalties,
dishonesties and cOrruptionS, into all the
tricks and trusts, by which the people
are disheartened and impoverished.
If II Is our destiny to become an empire
public. Empire and imperialism are assO-
citation with kinglY and arbitrary rule
with militarism and conquest. Was not
the Roman empire built upon the re-
public?
But. we are told that imperialism has
proved a blessing to Great Britain. In
this matter there is no parity between
England and the United States. If to-
day England could be bloekaded for six
months. she would starve. She is
compelled. therefore, to have a navy
as strong almost as that of all the other
nations; and this has led her to make
encircles the earth. But these widely
scattered dominions, though possibly
necessary for her existence as a first-class
power, are for her a cause of weakness
Let her colonies but become dissatisfied
and they will fall from her as easily as
the ripe fruit falls from the bough. She
governs them wisely, because only in this
way can she govern them at all.
II is hardly possible for an American
10 speak of England and not feel grateful
Thoughts and kindly sentiments stir with
In his breast. To her largely we owe oul
liberties; to her our language; to hel
Shakespeare, Milton and Wadsworth: tC
her Bacon and Ruskin and Newman. New
ertheless the more we hold aloof from
England the better shall 1t be for Amer,
lea She has not an ally in the world
and there is probably not a nation in the
world which would trust her as an ally
she has never loved us from the days ir
which she oppressed the colonies tc
the dark days when, by aiding the Con
federacy. she sought TO make the dis
rliption of the Union permanent. she does
not love us now. We are the most dread
ed rival she has. because we threaten hel
supremacy in what is nearest and dear
est TO her-her finances She is confront
ed by difficulties and dangers of various
kinds from which we are free.
An alliance with her would involve US
in the difficulties and dangers. by whlcf
she is confronted and from which we are
free We need neither her advice mol
her assistance. The praises which sh'