Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-09-30
TIE OHIO Democrats
They Open Their Campaign With a
Barbecue and Speeches at
Hamilton.
John R. Mclean, Candidate for Gov.
ernor, the Principal Speaker
Of the Day.
Criticism Of Presidents Philippine
Policy the Main Feature Of
His Address.

Hamilton, o.. Sept so-The demo-
cratic state campaign opened today
with great demonstrations and speeches
by John r. Mclean, candidate for gov.
lernor. and others on the state ticket
The barbecue dinners were held early,
followed by the parade of military
clubs and speaking from several stands
in the court house square this after
noon. Mclean was the principal
speaker. He said in part:
Since the war with Spain, what has
been the history of the Philippines?
Our war was against Spain, for the re-
dress of grievances, and not against
the Philippine islanders, for conquest.
When Spain was vanquished we hauled
down her flag. and ours then floated in
friendship. On Manila bay and it's
shores it would have been thencefor-
ward the sympol of liberation in the
Hand we had invaded in hostility to
Spain alone. The natives were our
/ friends. Their recognized leader had
returned to the island by invitation of
the United States and had been assisted
/ to form a military force and established
a camp at Cavite. He had summoned.
4 his people to the support of the United
States military occupation in procla-
nation, assuring them that the Ameri
lean flag meant liberty and independ-
ence for them. He organized a civil
government. Not only were these pro-
lceedings not objected to. but he was adj
dressed. by Gen. Anderson, our chief
Icommanding officer, as the commander
lof the military forces of the Philippine
islands. and asked to furnish map OF
/ the adjacent country for the use of
Gen. Merritt soon to arrive. He cheer
fully complied. The amicable relations
continued until Cen Merritt, fresh.
from the white house at Washington,
took command, and made an order es-
|tablishing a military line which was to
separate our troops and the Filipinos
into two hostile camps, and forbidding
the entrance within our lines Of any of
4 Aguinaldos command. This order was
the commencement of hostilities.
Why the status was thus suddenly
changed, with the full approval of the
president and that, too, while congress
was in session. has never been ex-
plained. The constitution and the
treaty both lodge in congress the sole
power to determine what shall be the
policy of our government toward the
Philippines. The presidents war upon
them is in derogation of their rightful
power. That body has not yet decided
4 whether the United States should as
sumo sovereignty over them or leave
the people there free to govern them
4 selves. Until such decision military
Occupation and military rule are un-
doubtedly within the power and duties
of the president. They did not how
lever, Justify him in refusing to call
congress together in extra session that
1T might decide this paramount ques-
ton, nor did 1T justify him in following
up such refusal with the usurpation of
Legislative power by assuming United
States sovereignty in the islands as an
accomplished fact He has been bent
on exercising such acts of sovereignty
as might be claimed to have committed
our government to an imperial policy,
land thus render 1t difficult for congress
to exercise It's power in a contrary di-
rection. If he can thus displace the
Legislative department by refusing.
during period of nine months, to call
it together for the exercise of it's ex-
elusive power in such an emergency.
and if he can then act in its stead With
out challenge or rebuke from the peo-
Iple at the next election of congressman,
then there is no limit to executive
power and our liberties are as truly at
!, the mercy Of pretended executive pre-
! rogative as We're those of our English
ancestors before the execution of
Charles I.
THE treaty cesson Of the Philip
- -. O.
does not conclude the question of future
! sovereignty. 1t places the determina-
ton of the civil and political status of
the inha of those islands eXclu-
sively in congress.
We are in favor of legitimate ex-
pansion, but opposed to an imperialis-
tic policy. We object to the methods
that have prevailed, the character of
the settlement chosen to make the Phil
ippines part of our country. We be-
!; lieve that rational, friendly course
could have made the Filpinos our
friends, and even at this time fairness
and Justice would bring peace. Diplo-
macy, that arm of all civilized govern
J ments, has not been tried. The mili-
tary secrecy of the administration has
led the nation to believe that beyond
, land was in need of an ally in the ORR
ent and has made us play as an instru-
ment for her interests. If the people of
the United States want the Philippines
and want place in the councils and
doings of the east, 1T can be had by
honorable and open dealings. We con-
denim the methods and doubt the wis
) dom of the Hanna Mckinley policy.
I'm acquiring the Philippines does the
, administration mean, when we have
, them to deny them the rights that our
, people have? II so, then we are taking
on the attitude of imperialistic, colonial
possessions If. on the other hand, the
administration intends to let them have
the same rights that our people have,
then we bring into competition with our
: llaboring classes men who would ba
willing to receive as compensation for
their labor, no matter what branch of
industry, an amount that would mean
ruin to the laboring classes of our
country. The administration must
! lelect between these stwo propositions.
: 1--WE either 20 as conquerors, denying
the rights Of the Filipinos that our