The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-09-15
McKINLEY's ACcEPTANCE

umns of his letter of acceptance
to its discussion, while giving less
than one 10 what he claims is the
question Of first importance.
From the start, he permits him.
self to assume purely defensive
attitude, and throughout his letter
his tone is distinctly explanatory,
not infrequcntIy descending t.
the absolutely apologize.
Instead Of asserting that through
the fortunes OF war the Philippines
came into orr possession, and in
obedience to the mandates of self
interest we are still holding them,
and, by that same token, propose
to perpetuate that possession, al
ter the manner of a true Pecksniff
he drivels along in an effort TO
demonstrate that every act of the
administration, looking towards
the ultimate retention of those is
lands, was but the prompting of
q heart so saturated with altruis-
tic principles as to be incapable Of
q single'seliish motive.
He quotes volunlnously from
his Instructions to the multitude
nous commissions appointed by
him, to prov. that from the dis
cussion of peace terms down 10
this good day The one, only OBJ
iect of his waking hours has been,
after first generously relieving
Spain Of grievous burden, to
promote the peace and happiness
of the Filipinos, establish jus
tice, insure domestic tranquility
and extend the worship of God.
To quote his own words, "The
trade and commercial side, as well
as the indemnity for the cost of
the war, are questions we might
yield. They might be waived or
compromised, but the questions of
duty and humanity appeal to the
president SO strongly that he can
find no appropriate answer but
the one he has here marked out.'
This was in the nature of q reply
to the. peace commissions ques-
ton as to whether or not they
were to accept Spain s insistent Of
fer of the Philippines. This Is at
least a tair presumption, as his an
swer was accept the archipelago"
I. There is not in the entire letter
an honest expression of really ac
tuating motives, accompanied by
manly declaration OF intention
to stand by his actions because of
his conviction that they were for
the best interests of the Amerl-
can people. Every where it is the
same hynpcritical nonsense about
the interests of the Filipinos.
One would imagine us to have en-
harked upon the conduct of a gi-
gautic institution of International
philanthropy, or to have constr
ruled ourselves the dispenser of
..hcat!tudes to the unfortunates
among the races of the earth
As VIC hear this Republican
president quote the words of his
Republican commission, touch
ing these people who have become
She wards of the nation, "Their
:ilnck az education and political ex
perience - disqualify them,
IN spite of their mental gifts and
dutncstic virtues, to undertake the
task of governing tho archipelago
al the present time, when We
hear him quote this conclusion in
.salpport Of a policy to which his
party is now irrevoc:blY commit.
Sed in the Philippines, tho poll
cv Of Il government of intelligence
- opln,scd to one Of numbers, {
government of cOlOred by .
white race, ~ we cannot refrain
romthinking thatln failing to en-
tInr~c and demand the extension o.
Ibis doctrine, Southern Democ-
rscv has lost its greatest op
,sSrtanitv of scoring against
/. Northern Republicanism, in
matter which is indeed and in trutf
with us the paramount issue. ,
We eoull have said to the
North, s'after thirty-fve years OF
verbal contention and practical
experiment, you have come over
II our way Of thinking. What
yoi say Of these people istsHe, and