Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-09

pose to diplomacy with an unfriendly
nation. Lincoln embodied an argu-
ment in the question when he asked.
Can aliens make treaties easier than
friends can make laws?" 1 believe
that we are now in a better position
to wage a successful contest against
imperialism than we would have been
had the treaty been rejected. With the
treaty ratified. clean cut issue is
presented between a government by
consent and government by force,
and imperialists must bear the respon-
sibility fer all that happens until the
question is settled.
If the treaty had been rejected, the
opponents of imperialism would have
been held responsible for any interna-
tionaI complications which might have
arisen before the ratification of an
other treaty. But whatever differences
of opinion may have existed as to the
best method of opposing the colonial
policy, there never was any difference
as to the great Importance of the ques-
ton and there is no difference now as
to the course to be pursued
The title of Spain being extinguished,
we We're at liberty to deal with the
Filipinos according to American prin-
ciples. The Bacon resolution. intro
duced month before hostilities broke
out at Manila, promised independence
to the Filipinos on the same terms
that it was promised to the Cubans.
supported this resolution and believe
that its adoption prior to the breaking
out of hostilties would have prevented
bloodshed, and that it's adoption at any
subsequent times would have ended
hostilities.
If the treaty had been. rejected. con-
siderable time would have necessarily
elapsed before a new treaty could have
been agreed upon and ratified and dur
ing that time the question would have
been adopted and carried out by the
President. either at the time of the rat
ification of the treaty or at any time
afterwards. it would have taken the
question of Imperialism out of politics
and left the American people free to
deal with their domestic problems.
But the resolution was defeated by the
vote of the Republican Vice President
and from that time to this a Republic
can Congress has refused to take any
When hostilities broke out at Manila,
Republican speakers and Republican
editors at once sought to lay the blame
upon those who had delayed the ratifi-
cation of the treaty. and. during the
progress of the war. the same Republic
cans have accused the opponents of i'm
perialism of giving encouragement to
the Filipinos This is a cowardly eva
sion of the responsibility.
If it is right for the United States
to hold the Philippine islands perma-
nently and initiate the European en-
pires in the government of the colo
MES, the Republican party ought -
state it's position and defend it, but 1t
must expect the subject races to pro-
test against such policy and to re :
Sist to the extent of their ability The
Filipinos do not need any encourage
from Americans now living. Our whole
history has been an encouragement,
not only to the Filipinos. but to all
who are denied a voice in their own
government.
Even now We are beginning to see
the paralyzing influence of imperialism
Heretofore, this nation has been
prompt to express it's sympathy with
those who We're Sighting for civil lber-
ty. While our sphere of activity has
been limited to the Western hemis-
phere. our symDathies have not been
bounded bv the seas. We have felt
it due to ourselves and to the world,
as we'll as to those who were struggling
for the right to govern themselves. to
proclaim the interest which our peo-
pie have. from the date of their own
independence, felt in every contest be-
tween human rights and arbitrary
power.
Our opponents, conscious of the weak
ness of their cause. seek to confuse
Imperialism with expansion, and have
even dared to claim Jefferson as a sup
porter of their policy. Jefferson spoke
so freely and used language with such
precision that no one can be ignorant
of his views. On one occasion he de-
clared: IF there be one principle more
deeply rooted than any other in the
mind of every American, it is that We
should have nothing to do with con-
quest" And again he said: Conquest
is not in our principles; it is inconsist-
ent with our government"
The forcible annexation of territory
to be governed by arbitrary power, diff
fers as much from the ACQUISITION of
territory to be built up into states as
a monarchy differs from democracy.
The Democratic party does not oppose
expansion, when expansion enlarges
the area of the republic and incorpor-
ates land which can be settled by
American citizens or adds to our popu-
IA tinn nppn1a who a rp willing to become
citizens and are capable of discharging
their duties as such. The acquisition
of the louisiana territory, Florida. Texas
and other tracts which have been Sc
cured from time to time. charging the
republic, and the constitution followed
the flag into the new territory. 1t is
now proposed to seize upon distant
territory already more densely populat-
ed than our own country, and to force
upon the people government, Tor
which there is no warrant in our con-
stitution or our laws. Even the argu-
ment that this earth belongs to those
who desire to cultivate it and have the
physical power to acquire it cannot be
invoked to justify the appropriation of
the Philippine Islands by the United
States.
If the islands We're uninhabited Amer
lean citizens would mot be willing to
go there and till the SOIL The white