Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-08-16

ever differences OF opinion may have en-
listed as TO the best method of opposing
the colonial policy, there never was any
difference as TO the great importance OF
the question and there is no difference
new as to the course to be pursued
The title of Spain being extinguished.
we were at liberty to deal with the Fill
plros according to American principles
The Bacon resolution introduced a month
before hostilities broke out at Manila.
the same terms that II was promised to
the Cubans. | supported this resolution
and believe that its adoption prior, to the
prevented bloodshed, and that its ndop-
ton at any subsequent time would have
ended hostilities.
Defends His Own Course.
II the treaty had been rejected, con.
siderable time would have necessarily
elapsed before a new treaty could have
been agreed upon and ratified, and during
that time the question would have been
egitating the public mind, If the Bacon
resolution had been adopted by the Sem
either at the time OF the ratification OF
the treaty or at any time afterwards, II
would have taken the question of imperi-
alism out of politics and left the Ameri-,
can people free to deal with their domes-
tic problems. But the resolution was de-
feated by the vote of the Republican Vice
PRESIDENT, ana from that time 10 TINS
Republican Congress has refused to take
airy action whatever in the matter.
When hostiities broke out at Manila
Republican speakers and Republican edi-
tors at once sought to lay the blame upon
those who had delayed the ratification or
the treaty, and during the progress OF the
war. the same Republicans have accused
the opponents of Imperialism of giving
encouragement to the Filipinos, This Is
cowardly evasion of responsibility.
If ii is right for the United States TO
hold the Philippine Islands permanently
n IN "a. IN Ih.a
crnmeut of colonies, the Republican, party
Ought to state its position and defend IL,
but 1t must expect the subject races TO
Protest against such policy and TO re-
sist to the extent of their ability. The
tillpinos do not need any encouragement
from Americans now living. our whole
only to the Filipinos, but TO all who are
denied voice in their own government.
III the Republicans are prepared to cen
sure all who have used language calcu-
lated TO make the Filipinos hate foreign
domination, let them condemn the speech
o: Patrick Henry. When he uttered that
passionate appeal Give me liberty or
give me DEATH" he expressed sentiment
which still echoes in the hearts or men.
Let them censure jefferson; OF all the
statesmen Of history. none have used
hold their fellows in political bondage.
Let them censure Washington, who de-
clared that the colonists must choose be-
tween liberty and slavery. Or, If the
statute of limitations has run against the
sins of Henry and Jefferson and Wash
ington, let them censure Lincoln, whose
Gettysburg speech will he quoted In de-
Tense of popular government when the
present advocates of force and conquest
are forgotten.
Those who would have this nation enter
upon u carecrsOf empire must consider
not only the effect OF Imperialism on tho
fDipinos, but they must also calculate
,t Us effect upon our own nation; we can
X
ening that principle here.
The Boer War
Even now we are beginning to see thu
paralyzing influence of Imperialism.
heretofore. this nation has been prompt
to express its sympathy with those who
were lighting for civil liberty. While our
sphere of activity has been limited to
the Western Hemisphere, our sympathies
have not been bounded by the seas. We
have felt II due to ourselves and to the
world, well as to those who were
struggling for the right to govern them
selves, to proclaim the interest which
our people have, from the date OF their
own independence, felt In every contest
between human rights and arbitrary
power. Three-quarters OF century ago,
when our nation was small, the struggles
of Greece aroused our people, and Web
ster and Clay gave eloquent expression
to the universal desire for Grecian indie
pendence. In 1896 all parties manifested
a lively interest In the success OF tho
ress I'm South Africa, which must result
in the extension of the monarchial idea
or in the triumph of a Republic, the ad-
vocates of Imperialism In this country
dare not say word in behalf of the
Beers
Sympathy for the Beers does not arise
from any urfriendliness toward England; :.
the American people are not unfriendly
toward The people OF any nation. This
sympathy Is due to the fact that, as stat
ed In our platform, we believe In the prin-
Cipe of self-government and reject, as
did our fOrefathers, the claims of mon
archy. If this nation surrenders its belief
in the universal application of the prin-
ciples set forth In the Declaration of In
dependence II will lose the prestige and
influence which 1t has enjoyed among the
nations as an exponent of popular gov
eminent.
The Flag In the Philippines.
Our opponents, conscious of the weak
ness Of their cause, seek to confuse inn
pcTialism with expansion and have even
dared to claim Jefferson as "a supporter
Of their policy. Jefferson spoke so free
~ and used language with such precision
that no one can be ignorant of his Views.
On one occasion he declared: IF there be
ole principle more deeply rooted than
any other in the mind Of every American,
1t is that we should have nothing to do
with conquest" And again he saidi
inconsistent with our government"
a colonial policy means that we shall
send to the Philippines few traders, a
few task masters and few otiiceholders.
and an army large enough to support the
authority of a small fraction OF the people
while they rule the natives.
There is an easy, honest, honorable So
luton of the Philippine question. 1t 10
set forth in the Democratic platform and
ii is submitted with confidence to the
American people. This plan | unreserved-
~ irdorse. If elected, | shall convene
Congress in extraordinary session as soon
as ! am inaugurated and recommend an
immediate declaration OF the nations
purpose, first, to establish stable form
of government In the Philippine Islands,
just as we are ESw establishing stable
form of government in the island of Gu
ba; second, to give independence to the
FilipinOs, just we have promised TO
give independence to the Cubans; third
to protect the FilipinOs from outside in
reference while they work out their des-
tiny, just as we have protected the re-
publics of Central and South America and
are, by the Monroe doctrine, pledged to
protect Cuba. An European protectorate
Olsen results in the exploitation of the
ward by the guardian. An American pro-
tectOrate gives TO TIC nation protected
the advantages OF our strength, without
making 1t the victim OF our greed; For
three-quarters of century the Monroe
doctrine has been shield to neighboring
republics and yet II has imposed no PEE
Cunlary burden upon us. After the Fiji
pmOs had aided us I'm the war against
Spain we could not hOnOrably turn them
over to their former masters; we could
not leave them to be the victims Of the
ambitious designs of the European ma
tons, and since we do not desire TO make
them a part of us, or to hold them as
subjects. we propose that the only alter
native, namely. to give them independ-
cnce and guard them against molestation
from without.
Ex-Vice-President Stevenson's speech
was very brief, being mainly devoted
to endorsement of the platform.
For Sale )