Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-08-17

have existed as to the best methoo OF
opposing a colonial policy. there never
was any difference as to the great I'M
portance of the question and there ~
no difference now as TO the course 20
be pursued.
we were at liberty to deal with the
Filipinos according to American prin.
ciples. The Bacon resolution, introduced
a month before hostilities broke out at
Manila. promised independence 10 tne
Filipinos on the same terms that II was
promised to the Cubans. supported
this resolution and believe that Its adop-
ton prior to the breaking out OF nos
and that its adoption at any subsequent
time would have ended hostiities;;
IL the treaty had been rejected con-
elapsed before a new treaty could have
been agreed upon and ratified. ana uur
ing that time the question would nave
been agitating the public mind. III ths
Bacon resolution had been adopted ny
the senate and carried out by the presl-
dent, either at the time of the ratification
of the treaty or at any time afterwaru
it would have taken the question OF I'M
perialism out of politics and lett the
American people free to deal with theil
domestic problems. But the resolution
was defeated by the vote of the repuDHc-
an vice president, and from that time
to this a republican congress has refused
to take any action whatever in the mat
ter.
When hostilities broke out at Mania
republican speakers and republican eur
tors at once sought to lay the blame upon
those who had delayed the ratincallon
of the treaty, and, during the progress
of the war; the same repubncahS haNs
accused the opponents of imperialism Oh
giving encouragement to the F1llplnos
This is a cowardly evasion OF the re-
sponsibllity
If it is right for the United States 10
hold the Philippine islands permanently
and initiate European empires IN the gov
eminent of colonies. the republican party
ought to state its position and DEFEND II,
but 1t must expect the subject races "
protest against such IA policy and TO Re
sst to the extent of their ability Inc
tilipinos do not need any encourasemei,e
from Americans now living. our whoIe
history has been an encouragement, not
only to the Filipnos, but to all who are
denied a voice in their own government
If the republicans are prepared 10 cen
sure all who have used language car
culated to make the Filipinos hate Tor
eign domination let them condemn tne
speech of Patrick Henry. When he ut
tered that passionate appeal, Give me
liberty or give me DEATH, he eXpresseu
sentiment which still echoes in the hearts
of men. Let them censure Jefrerson' Oh
all the statesmen of history none nave
used words SO offensive to those WIN
would hold their fellows In political pon h,
age. Let them censure Washington, WHO
declared that the coionists must cnoose
between liberty and slavery. Or, IL the
statute of limitations has run against tne
sins of Henry and jefferson and WASH
ington, let them censure Lincoln, whose
Gettysburg speech will be quoted IN ue-
Tense of popular government when lhe
present advocates of force and conquest
are forgotten.
Someone has said that a truth once
spoken can never be recalled. 1t goes on
and on, and no one can set limit 10 us
overwhelming influence. But II IL We're
possible to obliterate every word written
or spoken in defense of the principles set
forth in the Declaration of Independence.
war of conquest would sun leave lts
legacy of perpetual hatred, for 1t was
God Himself who placed in every human
heart the love of liberty. He never maze
race of people SO low in the scale OF
civilization or intelligence that 1t would
welcome a foreign master.
Those who would have this nation enter
upon a career of empire must consider
not only the effect of imperialism on
the Filipinos, but they must also cal
We cannot repudiate the principle of self
government in the Philippines without
weakening that principle here.
Lincoln said that. the safety OF TINS
its forts. but in the spirit which prizes
liberty as the heritage of all men in all
lands, everywhere, and he warned ms
countrymen that they could not destroy
despotism at their own doors
Even now we are beginning to see the
paralyzing influence of Imperialism.
Heretofore, this nation has been prompt
to express its sympathy with those who
were fighting for civil liberty. While our
sphere of activity has been limited to the
western hemisphere, our sympathies nave
not been bounded by the seas. We have
felt it due to ourselves and to the world.
as well as to those who were struggling
for the right to govern themselves, 10
proclaim the interest which our people
have, from the date of their own inde-
human rights and arbitrary power.
Three-quarters of century ago, when
our nation was small, the struggles OF
Greece aroused our people. and Webster
and Clay gave eloquent expression 10 the
universal desire for Grecian independ-
ence. In 1896 all parties manifested
lively interest in the success OF the GU
bans, but now when a war is in progress
in South Africa, which must result III ex-
tension of the monarchial idea, or In the
triumph of d republic, the advocates OF
word in behalf of the Beers. sympathy
for the Beers does not arise from any
unfriendliness toward England; the
American people are not unfrlendly to-
ward the people of any nation. This SYM
pathy is due TO the fact that, as stated
in our platform. we believe in the prin-
ciples of self-Sovernment ana reject, as
did our forelathers, the claims OF mon
archy. If this nation surrenders Its
belief in the universal application or
the principles set forth In the Declara-
ton of Independence it Will lose the pres
tige and influence which 1t has enjoyed
among the nations as an exponent or
popular government.
Our opponents. conscious of the weak
ness of their cause, seek to confuse I'M
perialism with expansion, and have even
dared to claim Jefferson as a supporter 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 declared: IF there
be one principle more deeply rooted than
any other in the mind of every Ameri-
can. it is that we should have nothing
To do with conquest" And again he
said: Conquest is not in our prn-
cipies; it is inconsistent with our gov
The forcible annexation of territory
to be governed by arbitrary power differs
as much from the acquisition of territory
to be built up into states as monarchy
<ffers from democracy. The demo-
cratic party does-:npt oppose expansion,
when expansion enlarges the area of the
republic and incorporates land which can
lie settled by American citizens, or adds
to our population people who are will
ing 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 secured from time to time.
enlarged the republic and the constitu-
ton followed the flag into the new Ter
rtory. 1T is now proposed to seize up
on distant territory, already more densely
populated than our own country, and TO
force upon the people a government, for
to-,