Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-09-01
WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?

The war in the Philippines has grown
to large dimensions. Secretary Root is
planning to increase our army there to
10000 men. This is twice as large as the
army with which we whipped Mexico.
= There were only about 10000 of our
soldiers actually engaged ii the over
throw of Spanish power in Cuba and
Porto Rico.
With war of this size on our hands it
is pertinent to inquire what we are fight
ing for.
1t is, to begin with, an irregular and
unauthorized war. 1t was never declared
by congress, in which body the power to
declare war is vested by the constitution.
1t is strictly Mr.. McKinley's war.
Is 1t to confirm our "sovereignty"
over the islands, preparatory TO their
annexation and government by the
United States? No; for the senate,
part of the treaty-making power, adopted
a resolution declaring
"That by the ratification of the treaty
of peace with Spain it is not intended to
Incorporate the inhabitants of the Philip
pines into citizenship of the United
States, nor Is it intended to permanently
annex Salu ds al luteSTdl part VI
the territory of the United States
Are we fighting, then, to suppress in
ternecine war and put down a reign of
terror? There is no war in the Philip
pines except between our soldiers and
the natives, who conceive themselves to
be fighting for their liberty and lndepend-
ence. There is no terror except such as
the splendid valor and deadly effective
ness of our troops have inspired.
Are we fighting to establish "stable
government in the islands and to insure
to their people the blessings of freedom
and civilization? Why not give them a
chance to govern themselves? Liberty is
the best-the only-preparation for
liberty. Freedom is the best instructor
in the school of self government. When
in the worlds history has it ever been
necessary to thrust the right to liberty
and self rule upon a people with force
and arms? Where do we find a CON-
mission for shooting our civilization into
10000 900 alien people 10000 miles
away?
Is it strange that the American people
are asking themselves, with increasing
earnestness, "What are we fighting for?
New York World.
SLAVERY AND THE RELIGIOUS PRESS.
The sultan of Sulu has been purchased
His domain was not needed, nor was an
alliance with him of any value, but he
has been given gold to bring him to
shadow himself and the iniquities of his
distant realm under the folds of ban
And today heather rites are performed
where it unfolds in radiance on Sulu; 4
shelters the slave, without giving hin
the message of freedom; beneath it thu
orgies of the harem are unrestrained
The traditions of our fair land have beer
swept away.
1t would strike the judgment that the
last to defend so wanton perversion O.
national principle would be the church
yet here comes the independent
sectarian organ. paper whose business
in life is to be good according to certain
rules-and makes plea for the actor
of the administration. So pitiful ant
specious a plea must excite contemp
and yet alarm. The religious press
however lofty its aim, does not reason
1t assumes conditions that suit itself
and never admits that these condition
may be in any measure the outgrowt
of prejudice. Not openly asserting In
fallibility, 1t proceeds upon the basis o
being infallible, and many there are t
whom its canting word is law, and VIII
in its attitude perceive the incarnation
of righteousness.