The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-09

must speak out against militarism now
or forever hold IFS peace. A large stand
Ing army IL not only an expense 70 the
people but n IL . menace 10 tbs nation
and the Democratic party viii be unite
In opposing 10.
"a word In regard TO imperialism.
Those who advocate the annexation of
the Philippines call themselves expan
sionists but they are really imperialists.
The word expansion would describe the
acquisition Of territory 10 be populated
by homogeneous people and to be carved
into states like those now in existence.
An empire suggests variety In race and
diversity in government. The impsrial-
lets DO not desire to clothe the Filipiuos
with oil the rights and privileges OF
American citizenship; they want to ex.
ercise sovereignty over an alien race and
they expect to rule the now subjects upon
q theory entirely at variance with consti-
tutionai government. Victoria IL Queen
Of Great Britain and Empress Of India;
shall we change the title of our Executive
and call him tbs President of the United
States and Emperor Of the Philippine?
1.-THE Democratic party stood for the
stands for the government Of the consti-
tuition now.
cit opposed an English financial policy
In 1895; IL opposes an English colonial
policy now. Those who In 1896 were In
favor of turning the American people
over to the greed of foreign ananciers and
domestic trusts may now be willing to
turn the Filipinos over to the tender
mercies of military governors and carpet
bag officials.
"Those who in 1895 thought the people
of the Uni ted States too weak to attend
to their own business may now think
them strong enough to attend to the busi-
ness Of remote and alien races; but those
who in 1896 fought for Independence for
the American people will not now with
hold Independence from those who desire
1t elsewhere.
1--WE are told that the Filipinos are not
capable Of sclf-government; that has
familiar ring. Only two years ago
heard the same argument made against "a
very respectable minority of tho people of
this country. The money loanors, who
ooerced borrowers, did 1t upon that
theory; the employers who ooercsd their
employees did 1t for the same reason. Self
government is constant education; the
capacity for government increases
with participation in government. The
Filipinos are not far enough advanced to
share in the government OF the people of
the United States, hut they are compe-
tent to govern themselves. 1t Is not fair
to compare them with our own citizens
because the American people have been
educating themselves in the science Of
government for nearly three centuries
and while we have much TO learn We have
already made great improvement. The
Filipinos will not establish perfect
government but they viii establish a
government as nearly perfect as they are
competent to enjoy and the United States
can protect them from molestation from
without
"The Republicans of Illinois, Of
course, will not expect the Fiiipinos to
select legislature equal to the last
Republican legislature In Illinois in
fidelity 10 the public welfare. Illinois
became state nearly century ago and
the Legislature which enacted the Allen
law was, as it were, the ripened fruit OF
long experience. Give the Filipinos time
and opportunity and while they never
will catch up with us. unless We cease to
improve, yet they may some day stand
where we stand now.
What excuse can be given for the
adoption of a colonial policyY Secretary
Gage disclosed the secret in his Savan
nah speech. think we might be justi
fed in calling Mr.. Gage she key-hole of
the administration. because we look
through him to learn what is going ON
within the executive council ohapbe
He suggested that philanthropy and five
per cent would go hand in hand in the
new venture. These are the two argu.
ments which are always used in favor of
conquest. Philanthropy and five per
Of the conquerer and the other picks the
pocket of the conquered.
"Some say that philanthropy demands
that we govern the Filipinos for their
own good, while others assert that We
must hold the islands because of the
pecuniary profit to be derived from them.
/ deny the soundness Of both arguments
Forcible annexation will not only be
criminal aggression Ito borrow MIR.
MoKinley's language of year ago) but
1t will cost more than 1t is worth. and
the whole people will pay the cost while
few will reap all the benefits.
"Still weaker is the argument based
upon religious duty. The Christian
religion rests upon the doctrine OF
vicarious suffering and atonement; the
colonial policy rests upon the doctrine of
vicarious enjoyment.
"when the desire to steal becomes un-
ooutroIlabis in an individual he is de-
clared to be y kleptomaniac and 10 sent to
an asy lum; when the desire to grab land