The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-16

entered into the war with Spain because
we could not listen TO the cries of distress
that came from Cuba. When we inaugu-
rated the war no one dreamed OF the
Philippines. but when It closed SO quickly
and 80 victoriouely we found 5000, 900 peo-
pie suffering from oppression ana cruelty.
Spain defeated and bankrupt and the Phil
ippines floating derelicts. We had taken
them because to have allowed them to
drift heiplessly into the power OF another
would have raised International compi-
cations. We would have been compelled TO
take them had they been as bleak and bar
rem as the desert Of Sahara.
wolcott said we might be compelled to
keep the Islands indefinitely.
Takes Issue with Beveridge.
He then directed his attention to the
speech delivered by Beveridge last week,
saying the senator from Indiana had told
OF a mountain OF gold, of coffee, of hemp.
OF corn, of the rich and tempting valley
of Luzon. and he had said our commerce,
by the reception Of the islands. would be
richly rewarded
''Mr. President" said Wolcott, THE ar
gument of the senator from Indiana is base
and sordid. This war, II we consider first
our duty to the people Of the islands, IL the
noblest ever fought. but II our purpose In
retaining them is that they are Ech, the
war will go down as miserable and de-
graded q one as ever dsgraced the history
OF the middle ages"
There was a disposition, he continued. re-
ferring again to Beveridge's speech, to
treat the questions involved with senti-
mentality somewhat maudlin. 1t was pos
sible we were chosen people. as Bever-
idge had said, whom God Almighty had
made a trustee of the civilization OF the
world, but II so, we would have to treble
our fleet of war vessels. We would have
to join Great Britain and Germany in the
partition of China. We must needs seize
Madagascar and Port Arthur.
MY own idea of the mission OF America"
said the senator. lis that II Is the last
hope Of republics, that our broad, large
fertile area will gradually fill up by the
admission of the foreigners and oppressed
of other lands and that in days Of peace
we win work out the noblest and highest
social problems We will say to the rulers
of the old world: You may hold your
thrones as long as the people will per-
nit, but this continent shall forever be de-
voted to liberty; you shall not step your
foot upon it, That Is our destiny. be-
lieve 1t is idle to talk Of our being Gods
chosen people,"
Wolcott said he was startled by Beyer-
idge's statement that charity did not be-
gin at home. but was filtered in from the
outside. With the municipal corruption
that all admitted existed 1t was ridiculous
to talk Of appointing lot OF Indiana poll
ticians In the Philippines and letting the
reflected glory Of our republic shine across
the seas to make their administration pure
and holy. If that was so, then the islands
would be worth millions. though they only
consisted OF lava beds and the craters OF
dead volcanoes. But. Wolcott said, we
were bound to make many mistakes. and
before we finished we might believe we
had taken over from Spain a home for
incorr!gihIes.
But" concluded Wolcott, .1n the clos
ing year of the century. when the world
is growing more beneficent; when the
rich are growing richer. and the poorer
classes richer, too, the time will come, If
We do our duty. when the sun which now
shines so brightly over our own country.
will shed its refulgent rays upon far dis
tant seas
Pettisrew Replies Briefly.
Pettigrew replied briefly to wolcott. The
latter had stated, he said, that he had
never had a kind word for his associates
in the senate. Yet. Pettigrew said his re-
lations with his colleagues had been most
pleasant. The senate could not hide be-
hind the large personality OF the senator
from colorado.
Il have not spent much time said Pet
tigrew, IN lauding MIN, although am
ready to confess he has a large voice."
He did not think the senator's attack
upon himself was worthy of reply. He
did marvel however at the division n,
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