The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-05

How Their Views Changed.
when the leading Democrats OF this
state were not thinking about politics
or national elections. when they were
simply rejoicing with the rest of the
people Of the country over the wonder
tul work done by the army and navy
during the war with Spain. there was
no talk OF imperialism" or "militar-
ISM from them. Most decidedly not.
The man who talked Of giving up the
Philippines or who had any III words
to cast at the brave soldiers in the,
field would have had . hard time In
crowd OF Washington Democrats two
years ago or less. If there was any
thought of politics in their minds in
connection with these subjects then, II
was simply in the form OF a hope that
the administration might be weak
enough TO give way to the pressure of
the New England 'Aunties." and pro-
pose to withdraw from the Philippines,
In which event the Democrats foresaw
that they would have an issue with
which they could sweep the country.
which would be exactly in accord with
Democratic presidents and which
would permit the people to forget
Democratic blunders in connection with
the tariff. and the Democratic craze for
free silver.
II was under those circumstances
that MIR. J. T. Ronald. now candidate
for congress. was sure that Providence
was with the country on the acquisi-
ton OF the Philippines. Then the
evident destiny Of the country was to
hold and develop the islands that were
seized as result OF the war with
Spain" Then 1t was that 'warhorse''
white was so firm In his conviction that
the flag which American valor had
hoIsted In the Philippines should never
come down. IT was then that Judge
Richard Winsor. with truth and JUS
tice said AN of the arguments OF
antl-expansion are fallacies. -" Never
has the United states acquired foot
Of territory In which the right Of self
government was not freely extended
to the inhabitants. The consent of the
governed Is a fallacy. - We are not
forcing our kindness on the Fiiipinos.
they are doubiy ours. the little blood
now being shed In the islands IL the
guarantee OF great and lasting peace
to come"
II was then that Gov. Rogers was
pronouncedly for expansion; so much
so that he denied that anybody really
favored parting with the Philippines.
He then said. mo one advocates our
sailing away from the islands and
abandoning them like dereilcts on the
high seas" 1t is less than year since
r. C. Robertson, now Democratic can
didate for congress and shouting
''mIliiarssm" and imperialism from
every stump, was fatty and unrestrict-
eddy In favor Of retention Of the phii-
ippines. and supported his position on
the subject by quotations from the vari-
Gus authorities on International law. He
dismissed the present great Demo
cratic argument that no government
could be formed In the Philippines
without the consent % Awnsnaiao and
his followers. with the statement This
doctrine ~ not only not the law. but
n would stop the establishment Of a
government founded upon the American
plan. and would permit; In its place
dcs9osic monarchy. should the people
be lnsuficienily Informed TO resist the
Win Of those row attempting TO per-
petaAte Themselves ln power In the
lanas" James Hamilton Lewis ava not
believe the Democrats could ''be whip
ped into line 70 oppose this pcliey-
gexpAnSionl
Bat at that tine the oracle had
not FUZZY declared hiusseif These gentle
nsn we're then exercising the privileges
o. American citizens and utterlnS their
own views which. Il is a pleasure To
state. were faA OF hearty. robust
Arnerscanism. Bat mark the change.
and then pirate Of imperialism. oae
man. the Democratic inperstor. has is
sued his fiat and every one % these
robust Americans covers like 3 slave
under the lash. turns bic back squarsly
on the position which he had already
taken. eats the words which he had
already uttered. ahandons his own free
dom OF Will. and expression. and ac-
osuta ara psxrot-lfks r.n~at. tha