Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-02-11
TlLLMAN AND The FILIPIN0S.
This Country Can Kill Them; But Is
Right7

Right?
During the discussion of the ques-
tion of ratifying the treaty with Spain
by the senate, last Monday, several
anti-expansionist senators tried to
make the leaders of the other side
commit themselves as to the future
policy of the administration. To this
end resolution was offered by Sena-
tor McEnery, of New Orleans, and
amended until it was gotten in the fol-
lowing shape:
Resolved, That by the ratification of
the treaty of peace with Spain it is not In
tended to incorporate the inhabitants OF
the Philippine islands into citizenship OF
the United Suites, nor is it intended to
permanently annex said islands as an in,
tegral part of the territory of the United
States; but it is the intention of the
United States to establish on said island a
government suitable to the wants and
conditions of the inhabitants Of said is
lands and prepare them for local self-gov-
ernment, and in due time to make such
disposition of said islands as will best
promote the interest of the citizens Of the
United States and the inhabitants Of said
islands.
Senator Tillman desired to speak
on the resolution on Monday; but as
it was evident that no discussion could
be had then, he gave notice of his pur.
pose to speak next day. A Washing
ton dispatch of Tuesday night to the
Associated Press, tells the story of the
day in the senate as follows:
For two hours or more the senate
today had the resolution declaratory
of policy of this government in the
Philippines under discussion; but no
vote was reached and the resolution
went finally to the calendar.
In accordance with the notice given
last evening, Mr.. Tillman (Dem.), of
South Carolina, addressed the senate
upon the resolution making a charac-
teristic and picturesque argument.
Mr.. Lodge, (Rep.) of Massachusetts,
followed with strong reply to MIR.
Tillman, in which he stated clearly and
directly the conditions as they con-
fronted the United States in the Phil
ippines.
Mr.. Tillman said in opening that he
had listened to the debate upon the
treaty with interest but without TAX
ing part in it. He bad contented him
self with occasional little forays and
with indulging in little guerrilla
warfare.
"The first thing that strikes me, "
said be, sin the reading of this resolu.
ton is its cold-blooded purpose-its
simple declaration of purpose to buy
and sell those people of the Philip
pines for our interests and steadfastly
to ignore their interests. If l mistake
not the trend of events, the rati6ca-
lion of the treaty promises disaster to
The party responsible for it.
"If it was right" said he, in discuss.
i ing the changes of votes on ratifica-
tion, "to defeat the treaty on Saturday,
| it was right to defeat it yesterday"
He said that never in his legislative
experience had he heard so many
speeches against a proposition followed
by 80 many votes in favor of the pro-
position. To his mind it indicated
that certain senators had yielded to
pressure"
Concerning the constitution, he de-
clared that the only scintilla now left
of it was that which required that a
treaty could only be ratified by two
thirds vote of the senate. The ratiti-
tion of the treaty, he said, had deter
mined the fact that in law the Filipl-
nos were rebels against the United
States. If they fired on our flag they
would be regarded as rebels. That
was the way the world saw 1t. How
ever the trouble in the Philippines
might terminate, the Filipinos would
be regarded as patriots who were fight.
ing for their liberty just as much as
were the American Revolutionists.
"If any resolution is passed here We
ought to pass one bringing peace to the
Philippines not disaster.
"The question now is: Are we to
take the place of Spain as taskmasters
and tyrants p" Turning to Mr.. Lodge
who was listening to the speech, Mr..
Tillman inquired if the situation in
the Philippines was not unique, was
not unduplicated anywhere III history :?
81 Think" replied Mr.. Lodge, "that
the situation is unique in this that the
people to whom We have taken liberty
and freedom have turned upon U.s."
Mr.. Tillman declared that the situa-
ton in the Philippines was similar 10
that which confronted Great Britain
in the Trausvaal and, after reviewing
England's trouble in South Africa, said
that we wanted nothing in those is