The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-15
Shocking Case Of Imperialism.

In their search for instances OF impe-
rialism and militarism. Mr. Bryan and
his Democratic followers are overlook
ing one OF the most shocking instances
which has ever been recorded in his
tory. Right here. on the American con-
tinent, and under the sheltering folds
of the American flag. Is a community of
something like 100000 people, to whom
the Declaration OF Independence Is as
though 1t had never been written. They
are governed absolutely without their
consent. express or implied. Not one of
them Is permitted to cast vote. or
have a voice In the selection of a sin
gle officer OF the government which IL
set over them. Taxes arc levied on the
citizen. yet he has no voice in the Sc
lection of representatives in the body
which levies those taxes. The judges
and all officers OF courts in which his
rights are determined are appointed by
an executive officer in whose selection
the people of this particular community
have no voice. The very policemen who
guard their homes are appointed by
outside authority, which governs this
community absolutely.
The worst and most appalling feature
Of this dreadful tyranny exercised over
these free-born American citizens is
that government In this particular COM
munity is very largely represented by
the military arm. 1t is army officers
who determine all questions OF extern
sions Of streets, all details of sewer
construction. street paving and the like.
the individual citizens having nothing
TO say concerning these matters. and no
civic duties TO perform. save to pay their
taxes
This community. II must be remem-
bered. is composed of some three hun
dred thousand people. population con-
slderably in excess Of that In seven out
Of the thirteen original states. at the
time Of the adoption Of the constitu-
ton, These people have never done
anything q cause them to forfeit their
civil rights. The people Of Puerto Rico
have a representative legislative body
10 pass their laws. The people of this
community have none. Local seif-gov-
eminent is proposed for the Malay saw
ages Of the Philippines; It Is resoiutely
denied this rich. thrifty and well-or-
dered American community. Demo-
cratic orators are cracking their threats
over the dreadful proposition Of gov
erning ignorant savages without their
consent. Yet Democratic congressman
complacently look upon this government
Of American citizens without their con-
sent being asked, and cheerfully vote.
AZ each successive session Of congress
for a continuation Of this un-Amerioan
system.
1t Il ono ~ the singular anomalies 81
life that this particular community. the
District Of Columbia, IL one ~ the most
orderly ana best-xovern~l PARTS q the
United states. ana the people are per-
fectly content with a system which. In
theory. Is as grossly tyrsnnicai and au-
tscratic as could be framed In any des-
rotlsm on earth.
Governed absolutely by congress. ana
with the people ~ the district having
no word 10 say in matters affecting
their own personal local Affairs and
completely disfranehlssd, life. liberty
and property are as safe, civA rights as
carefully guarded. and the pursuit OF
happiness as easy In Washington as in
any other city IN the country.
Yet Mr.. Bryan and his followers con-
TIME the ssserveratlon that TO admit
that congress has an unrestricted rishs