Evening star., 1900-08-09


make any clearer the so-cailed issue of i'm
perlalism, or give any good reason why the
administrations policy should be con-
demned? We were adjured to wait until
Mr.. Bryan had spoken We would then
see not only the wrong that had been done.
but how Mr.. Bryan would right 1t. The
country has waited and Mr. Bryan, after
thorough preparation. has spoken Has he
shed any light the subject. OF made any
disclosure worthy Of note except that he
takes his stand among the place-hunters.
and is willing to employ any clap-trap that
GENES handy?
The assertion that .he clash with Agui-
naldo might have been avoided Is against
all that know from those who were on
the ground and capable of just judgment.
II could not have been avoided short of
an absolute and abject surrender to the
TagaI chief. And had Mr. Bryan been
President he would not have dared make
that surrender. In fact it would not have
been In his power to do He would have
been obliged to assert the authority of the
government where the flag flying as
the symbol OF authority. or to answer to
the people whose dignity and character he
had outraged
But taking the situation as it stands.
WHAT - - ftlHeuN StdkSS II
thus:
If elected i shall convene Congress
in extraordinary session soon as | am
iraugurated and recommend immediate
declaration of the nations purpose: first
To establish a stable form OF government
in the Philippine Islands. just as We are
now establishing a stable form of govern
ment in the Island of Cuba; second 10
give independence to the Filipinos. just as
We have promised to give independence to
the Cubans. third. /" protect the Filpinos
from outside Interference while they work
out their destiny
What Is 10 be considered - stable form
of government in the Philippine islands,"
And by whom and how is the question to
he decided? And what sort of a protector
would Mr.. Bryan establish over an
independent people while they worked out
their destiny? Those people know nothing
about independence. and they live in a
quarter of the world where tyranny and
force are governmental watchwords. Should
We feel called upon to protect them not
only against outside interference but
against themselves? Could wink al a
dictatorship in the Philippines? In word.
would not protectorate over the Philip
pines involve In the most serious diff
cuties and obIige us in the end in the
interests Of civilization and humanity to
retake possession of the Islands by force?
But it Is not until he comes to the Ques-
tion of government by the consent of the
governed that Mr. Bryan opens himself
70 the charge of hypocrisy. Hear him:
There are degrees of proficiency in the
art of seif-government. but II is refiec-
ton upon the Creator to say that He denied
to any people the capacity of self-govern-
ment- Once admit that some people are
capable of self-government and that others
are not. and that the capable people have
right TO seize upon and govern the in
capable. and you make force-brute force
the only foundation Of government, asd in
V:te the reign of the despot."
Could Mr.. Bryan express those sentiments
with straight face in the presence of Mr..
Tillman of South Carolina. Mr.. Money of
Mississippi. Mr.. McEnery of louisiana or
Goyernor-elect Aycock of North Carolina? :?
Did he not read Mr.. Tillman's frank con-
fession in the Senate Of how South Caro-
lima was brought into the democratic col
umu2 Is he not familiar with what has
just taken place in North Carolina, part
of the result of which is TO make that
state certain for him in November Will
H. take note of the fact THAI a United
States senator is forced to travel with a
bodyguard in North Carolina. the re-
suit of Intellectual effort on his part to
prevent nulllncatIon or the Constitution
OF the United States? Does Mr.. Bryan not
kEOw that over fifty electoral votes will be
counted for him by reason of the exercise
Of brute force" and that alone?
Mr.. Bryan should go back to free silver
On that platform he is to be judged simply
as mistaken man and a discredited
prophet But the champion of govern
ment by the consent of the governed" and
the defender of the Constitution. with his
southern support his chief hope. he raises
the question of candor as well as of char
acter-