Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-10-04
|OH|O DEMOCRATS BEGIN.
Mclean Attacks the Presidents
Policy Toward insurgents Since
Spanish War Closed.
EHelAnD's ALLY IN THE ORIENT.
The Democratic Candidate Says the "AIfli-
tary Secrecy of the Administration" Has
Led the Nation to Believe That We Are
Playing as an Instrument In Great
Britain's Hands.

Hamilton, O., Oct. 1.-The demo
cratic state campaign was opened here
Saturday with great demonstration
and speeches by John r Mclean, candi-
date for governor, and the candidates
for other offices on the democratic state
ticket and others. The Butler county
democracy arranged for parades during
the day and illumination Of the city ut
night and the committee secured lead
ing democrats to speak with Mclean.
Portraits of Mclean, Bryan and Dewey
were generally displayed and the city
was elaborately decorated. Speaking
of the Philippine question, Mr.. Mclean
said:
Since the war with Spain what has been the
history of the Philippines: Our war was against
Spain, for the redress Of grievances, and not
against the Philippine islanders, for conquest.
When Spain was vanQuished we hauled down
her flag and ours then toated in friendship. On
Manila bay and Its shores 1t should have been
thenceforward the symbol of liberation in the
land we had invaded in hostility to Spain alone.
The natives were our friends. Their recognized
leader had returned to the islands by invitation
of the United States and had been assisted t6
organize military force and established u
camp at Cavite He had summoned his peo-
pie to the support OF the United States
military occupation in proclamation.
assuring them that the American
flag meant liberty and independence for them.
He organized civil government. Not only
were these proceedings not objected to, but hs
was addressed by Gen. Anderson, our chic:
commanding officer the commander OF the
military forces Of the Philippine islands and
asked to furnish map OF the adjacent country
Tor the use OF Gen. Merritt, soon to arrive. He
cheerfully complied. The amicable relations
continued until Gen. Merritt fresh from the
white house at Washington, took command
ana made an order establishing q military line
which was to separate our troops and the Fill
ipinos into two hostile camps. and forbidding
the entrance within our lines OF any of Aguinal-
dos command. This order was the commence
ment of hostilities
We are in favor of legitimate expansion. but
opposed to an imperialistic policy. We objec,
to the methods that have prevailed, the char
acter OF the settlement chosen to make the
Philippines part of our country. We believe
that rational friendly course could have made
the Filipinos our friends. and even at this tims
foirness and justice would bring peace. Diplo.
macy, that arm of all civilized governments
has not been tried The military secrecy OF the
administration has led the nation to believe
that beyond all de- larations was the fact thai
England was in nee.' OF an ally in the orient
ana had made us play as an instrument for hei
interests. II the people of the United States
want the Philippines and want place in the
councils ana 0OlngS OF the east, 1t can be had
by honorable and open dealings.
In acquiring the Philippines does the admin.
istration mean when we have them to deny their
the rights that our people have? II SO, then wc
are taking on the attitude of imperialistic, colo
NAL possessions II. on the other hand, the ad.
ministration intends to let them have ths
same rights that our people have. then We
bring into competition with our laboring class
es men who would be willing to receive as com.
pensation for their labor, no matter what
branch of industry, amount that would
mean ruin to the laboring classes of our coun.
try. The administration must elect between
these two propositions. We either go as con
queIors, denying the rights of the Filipnos tha-
our country enjoy; or we give them the benefits
OF all that our people have, which brings them.
in competition with those we must protect.