Washington sentinel., 1900-09-01

OF the very esserce OF imperialism.
Dlvested OF its cant and made over
into plain language, the prool,ml-
ton tells the FIliDinos that we have
seized their country by brute force
and propose to hold it and that
they must submit to our preten-
sion, yield to our assumed author.
i'y or be shot to death. Ii boldly
proclaims the right Of conquest,
the highway robbery OF nations.
For the first time in American
history it is asserted by the respon-
sIhle leader Of great parry and a
President Of the Republic that we
may rightiully wage war for the
purpose Of dominion and acquire
pro- erty in the land Of other ma
tons and jurisdiction over their
Liberties and persons by the mere
test OF superior strength. II vio-
lates the most sacred traditions OF
our history.
But what is probably as sinister in
this proclamation as even this Aagrant
indorsem ent Of force as the basis of
political authority and as significant OF
lmperlaistic tendencies in the Executive
Is the cool assumption by the President
OF the power to act before the execution
OF the treaty. The treaty was not vet
ratified. 1t had not indeed been an
proved bI the Senate, but might easily
never have been approved, since the
final action of that body is said to have
been taken by bare majority nf one
vote This assumption OF power ad-
mltsedly before the treaty conferred il
on him and where the exercise Oft was
certain TO involve the nation in war. as
1t soon did, was the most prodigious.
Taking up Governor Rorsevelt's
speech he declared it to be "enor-
mousIy disappointing. Neuher
matter or in manner is it worthy
otits occasion. In respect Of argu
ment the speech is, with rare ex-
cep1ons, an alter nation of evasion
and assertion. In spirit it is a
compound Of scold and scullion.
As to ITS facts it abounds in mac.
curac'es which, if accidental, are
IneXPIcable as coming rom a man
who has performed creditably in
history and biography.
Bu, the world is accustomed to incon.
sIsteucles from Mr.. Roosevelt. It has
long looked upon hIm as a predestined
ana lncorugl Bile ecc sntrtc. Ithas given
up attempting 10 explain him or to
reconcile him with himself II is quite
impossible, whether % would be worth
WHlle Otherwise or not, to make an
entirely satisfactory diagnosis OF a civil
service retormsr in partnership with
homas {. Patt, a citizen soldier wto
thevo.unteer, a leader in battle
who finds glory in being rescued from
an ambush, hero who boasts OF shoot
my a tt-eing foe in the back, a candidate
who plays and poses TO delegates and
galleries I'D obtain a nomination that he
does not want, gentleman Who charges
SIX and one half millions ofhis fellow
,oun rymen with lawlessuess dishonesty
and cowardlcei a statesman who.
nouLted on a hobby, rides roughly ar
grave questions in economies and poIi-
tics, swinging his partisan lariat and
Yelling like an intellectual Comanche,
Mr.. Towne then read quotations
rom the st. Paul speech OF Gov
ernor Roosevelt, which, he said.
showed the truth OF what he said
of that speech as a whole. He
Argued at considerable length
against any possible constitutional
light under which the United
states could hold and govern col
onies, ridiculing the alleged claim
hat this right was given by that
provision ol the Constitution which
gives Congress the power to make
all needtul rules and regulations
respecting the territory and other
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