The San Francisco call., 1899-09-27


States on the imperial issue
There are daily evidences that the party is thought
fu on that subject and that its conscience IS with
Lincoln Senator Thurston OF Nebraska says, 1 was
not an epansiOnst but declares that in arms law IS
silent and civil policy for the Philippines must wait
upon the end OF war Ex-senator Manderson OF the
same State goes even further and, alter pointing out
that the President is doing his duty now under the
constitution expressly says that this country can have
no other ultimate purpose in the islands short OF the
independence and nationality OF the people.
Indeed for the strongest expression OF the opposite
view one must go to Morgan, Watterson, Scott
Howell, DENLY, General Wheeler, the Democratic
imperiaists and an occasional proseyte like Senator
Carter.
II the Republican party adopt imperialism it will be
an acquired taste. The party is mindful OF Dewey
utterances and OF General Lawton's latest reported
expression as to the Fipinos: 1t is time for dip
lomacy. time for mutual understanding. These men
are indor1itable All they is little justice.
One of the most conspicuous Republican leaders in
the Middle West is Governor Shaw OF Iowa. a few
months ago he said: The so-caed imperial idea IS
one easy to advocate but difficult defend You can
90 before any audience in the United States and
preach the doctrine OF taking all can acquire and
holding all we can get, and meet ready response.
1t IS very nice sentiment declare against pulling
down the flag but it is not, in my opinion, always
the policy to plant the flag wherever chance oppor-
tunity is presented" Senator Burrows has shown the
same feeling Senators Mason Hale, Wellington and
other Republican leaders have not hesitated to ex-
press it. and Senator Hoar is its champion
The signs multiply daily that the Republican party
does not propose that its position imperialism
shall be dictated by its enemies. In no platform has
it indorsed that policy, and, while some expressions
made in its name amentable they not its ex-
pressons The declaratory resolution OF the Senate,
following the ratification Of the Paris treaty is likely
to be the germ OF the partys future policy. 1t will
repudate the extraconstitutonal theories Of Denby
Wheeler and Morgan, and keep in right line with its
history by at once discharging its duty to Republican
principles and observing its responsibility to the
world by nurturng free institutions in the Philippines
and planting there government which may grow to
be the light OF Asia.
1t is the duty OF good people to strengthen this
party purpose rather than to urge the administration
into wider departure from If. Christianity cannot
afford the spectacle that would be presented by the
Hawaiians and Filipinos, the only races in the
Pacific Ocean and the Orient that have accepted the
rule Of the Prince OF Peace despoled of their
try and their brthright by those who taught them the
plan of salvation
II they are to furnish such melancholy example OF
injustice all Christian missionaries would better be
called from the far lands where they labor for the
saving Of souls for the difference shown between
Christian precept and Christian practice will be so
great as to make Christianity Kissing and by
word among the heathen
II the Christian religion suffer itself to become
merely the orerunner OF political conquest no right
minded question the right of civil govern
ment in all unconquered Asatic countries to rigidly
exclude it as the Western nations exclude anarchy
nihilism and all cults which to teach defiance
OF the civil authority and deny the right of govern
ment to govern
From this stern and inexorable logic of the situa
ton there is no escape. Emotional appeals to the
impulsive do not answer nor evade it. Recurrence
to the primitive idea OF Providence working its
purposes in the slaughter of the innocent and rob
berry OF the unoffendng is offensive to common
sense.
Let it be written to be read in the future among
the ruins OF Christianity which weakly identified il
self with the cruees of conquest; these converted
people defeated in their aspirations born in their
new faith that faith will not only fade from their
minds but will lose its influence on the very people
who have used it as oothold for commercial greed
territorial spoiation and criminal aggression. The
Republican party does not propose to be the agent in
such downfall