Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1899-03-02
VIM, ], BRYAN'S
Criticism ofthe Presidents Philip
pine Policy,
BY the Late Democratic Leader in an Ad-
dress to Students at Ann
Arbor.


faculty and citizens which taxed tn
capacity OF the big hall. 1t is seYei
years since the present leader of tn
silver Democracy last visited thi
city and the students Of all shades o
political opinions gave him a charac
teristically noisy and enthusiastic
welcome on his appearance.
Col. Bryan's declarations ia favor o
Independence for the Philippines un
der the American protectoratC
brought out considerable applause.
"The president, in his Boston
speech, has declared that the future OF
the Philippines is in the hands of the
American .eople. This Is all that has
been ccnteuded for by the opponents
of the colonial policy outlined ty
those who have demanded the forci-
BILE and permanent annexation Of the
Philippine Islands If the matter is
In the hands OF the American. people,
! then 10 is a subject for discussion by
the American people, and the only
question TO be considered and decided
is whether tie permanent retention
OF the Philippine Islands is desirable.
And in considering what is desirable
we must consider what is best for the
people of the United States and what
Is best for the FllipinOs. Thuse who
oppose the colonial policy deny that
the adoption OF such "a policy 10y this
nation would be beneficial either to
the United States or TO the alien race
oyeI which our sovereignty would 6e
extended.
"The sooner the question Is settled,
the better. 1t Is putting the cart be-
fore the horse TO say that the nation
cannot reveal its purpose until the
FilipinoS lay down their arms. II
the naliun would declare It's inten-
tiOn lu establish IA stable aud inde-
eudeut guyelumeul In the Philip
pines and then leaYe that government
in the hands OF the people OF the
islands, hustilities would be suspended
at once, and further blOudShed would
be avoided. What would our colonists
have thought NJ a demand upon the
part Of England that we first lay
down our artus and surrender 10 the
king. aud then trust TO the decision
that he would make. Now that the
treaty has been ratified and Spain
eliminated from the question, the
American people are free 10 take such
action as the circumstances require.
Shall our nation eater upon career
OF conquest and substitute the doc
trine Of force for the power OF eX-
ample and the influence OF counsel?
Our fOrefathers fought for iodepend-
ence under banner upon which was
inscribed the motto Millions for de-
fense, but not one cent for tribute
And so those who today not only de-
sire American independence but are
willing To encourage the idea OF inde-
pendence and self government In
other races can fight under u banner
upon which is inscribed similar
motto: Millions for defense, bat
one cent for conquest
"SOme OF the ADVOCATES Of a cOloniaI
policy have sought TO lay upon those
who opposed the ratification Of the
treaty The esponsibility tor the blood
shed around Manila. While | believe
and still believe that IL was better to
ratify the treaty AMI make the fight
for Philippine independence before
the American people rather than
through diplomatic negotiations with
Spain, / deny that the senators who
opposed ratification were IN any way
responsible for the commencement OF
hOstllitics.
"Tne responsibility rests not upon
those who oppose tue treaty, but
upon those who refuse 20 disclose the
nations purpose and left the Fill
lipinOs 20 believe that their tight
against old Spain. irstead OF bring
lug them independence had oDly
brought them change Of masters.
IL was the desire 10 be independent
that lead the Fillipin0s 10 resist
American authority and their desire
for Independence was not Inspired by
any American 0ppositisn 10 the terms
OF the treaty. IL will be remembered
that the Fillipinos issued declara-
q A.. . In
fore the treaty was negotiated. OPP
position % the treaty, therefore,
could net have caused a desire tor in-
dependence which was expressed be-
fore the trsaty was made. II 10 Is
wrong for anyone ia this country 10
inspire ia other races "A desire for
self-goyernment, the Imperialistlcs
cannot cOutne their TeprOaches 10
the Lying. They must lay the blame
upon American statesmen long SINCE
dead. Patrick Henry was responsible
70 some extent, because the senti-
mems expressed 40 his speech have
found judgement 10 the hetrts Of all
the faces. Washington must also be
blamed, for when ne drew his sword In
defense OF the rights ut the cOlObists
he gave inspiration 20 all similarly
situated, jefferson Was largely 20
blame because the Declaration oi To-
dependence. the work Of his pen, has
been an inspiration 20 the loyers Of
liberty in every CLINE Abraham
Lincl,ln rnn nor escaDe bis snare NJ