The times., 1899-01-21
SATURDAY. JANUARY p. 1899
To the obstructionists.

Are the Democratic Senators who are
opposed to the ratification OF the Treaty OF
Paris willing TO go on record as ayerse to
ending the war with Spain?
are they willing to be known. by name
and as representing their party, as OBJ
structing the efforts of the Republican Ad-
ministratiou to bring to a triumphant close
a conflict which had the ardent support of
virtually all the American people and
which enlisted the personal service of
nearly three hundred thousand men. in
eluding Mr.. Bryan, General Wheeler, Cen
eral Lee and other conspicuous Democrats
from all sections of the country?
Are they willing to be known as delay
ing for no conceivably useful purpose what
they canhot prevent-the gathering of the
fruits OF the victory won by American
valor on sea and on land?
Are they willing TO antagonize Admiral
Dewey and Generals Merritt and Otis, who
are best informed about Philippine condi-
tions, and 10 be classed with the foreign
born and native sympathizers with Spain.
whose efforts TO stay the hand of freedom
and justice were SO bitterly condemned
and frustrated by the American people?
Are they willing to proclaim, by their
hdence in the honesty, the devotion TO re-
publican principles, and the practical in
telligence of Americans?
Are they willing that it should be said
they took advantage of the rules of the
Senate to prevent majority from acting
on treaty that is essential to the ending
of the war?
The American people were heart and
soul in the war against Spain. and they
are heart and soul with the Administra-
tion in its purpose to extend TO the inhabi-
tants of the Philippines the educational
and civilizing influences of our free insti-
tutions. They cannot be deceived by tech
nical arguments, obviously insincere and
inadequate, about constitutional limita-
tions. They cannot be deluded by any pro-
fessions Of conscientious scruples on the
part of the Democratic minority in the
light OF the history and traditions Of De-
mocracy. They know perfectly that it is
mere factional animosity that leads the
minority TO obstruct solely for delay. the
haT
but an insignificant fraction of the peo-
pie. They know that, considering the GER
tain and the possible consequences Of post
poning what the minority has not the
power TO prevent, the duty of every Sen
ator who will not vote to bring the war 10
an immediate close is to remain silent
while the majority acts upon the Treaty.
The minority Senators cannot haul down
the American flag in the Philippines. they
cannot condemn the Filipinos 10 the hor-
rors of successive revolutions, TO the tyr
amy Of victorious adventures, TO the
dangers Of subiugation by selfish European
monarchies; they cannot effect the restora-
tion of an oppressive Spanish sovereignty;
they cannot encourage Aguinaldo and
other ambitious bandits 10 obstruct and
annoy American officials under the direc-
tion Of Germany's agents by a Congression-
al pledge of absolute independence regard
less Of circumstances. All they can do is
TO prohibit action 10y a legally constituted
majority until the fourth of March and
thus involve their country in unnecessary
troubles some of which may be most
serious The American people have an in
terest in this keen enough to learn and TO
remember the name Of every obstructionist
and to note that most OF them are Demo-
Gratis.