The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-29
WHEN THE SMOKE LIFTS.

The Republican politicians seem to be
under the impression that if Otis ends
the war shortly the question of imperial
ism will not enter as a leading issue
in the next campaign. That is not the
way we view it. The administration is
many times stronger while war is in
progress than when it is confronted with
settlement of the questions that grow
out of the war; In the recent election
the strongest plea that was made to the
voter was this: Stand by the flag of
your country. While we are in a war
with foreign power, defeat of the adj
ministration will be construed by the
Filipincs as encouragement. Men of all
parties ought to be united until the war
is fought TO successful issue. After
the war is won. then will be time enough
to discuss the questions which must be
settled, and Congress can do that.
Added to that appeal to stand by the
flag, came the purported interview with
Aguinaldo. in which he was quoted as
praying for a Democratic victory. There
can be no doubt that these two things
heped the administration in its hard
fight. That it should have lost three
out of the four pivotal States with such
help speaks strongly for the intense OPP
position to the administration policy.
If the war is ended, what then? It
devolves upon the Republicans in Con-
gress to formulate a definite policy.
They will attempt to postpone amy deflss
mite action until after the election by
declaring that time must be given to
learn the nature of the people and the
kind of government best adapted to their
needs But, if Aguinaldo is captured
during this Congress. the people viii
demand action and even if they refuse
TO declare their policy, the attitude OF
the administration will indicate the Re
publican programme if there are now
any that doubt that its purpose is to
make the islands colonies, TO be governed
from Washington.
1t is our. conviction that an over
whelming majority Of the American peo-
pie are opposed to large standing
army. to expansion by conquest, to Il
reputation of the Declaration of INDIE
pendence. to militarism and Imperialism,
and that when the war is over they
will not endorse any administration that
seeks to adopt England's cruel colonial
policy. Then will come the real division
and separation. Until the war is ended,
the opponents of the administration are
at a disadvantage When the time
comes to give,Sth Filipinos the same
independence we promised Cuba 1.-THE adj
ministration is determined to break thar
promise), or to govern it as posses
sion-when that irrepressible confict
comes, the friends Of liberty will out
number those who believe that 1t is our
mission to rule over a people who have
shown their readiness to die for the
right to rule their own land.
The success of the American arms
transfers the battle from the Philippine
islands to the American forum. The
conscience of the American people is
aroused and no plea for gain will stifie
the traditional belief that .'.all govern
ments derive their just power from the
consent of the governed Inc Demo-
cratic National Convention will invite all
who subscribe to that doctrine, all who
are opposed to milftarism and imperial
ism, to restore the American Republic
to the purity and simplicity that char
acterized it in it's early days.