Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-08-15
William j. Bryan's indianapolis Speech.


ancc !" our domination. IL we are to gov
cru them without their consent and give
them no voice In determining the taxes
which they must pay. we dare not educate
tncn lest they learn to read the Declaration
OF Independence and the Constitution of the
United States and mock us for our incon-
sistency.
The principal arguments. however. ad-
vanced by those who enter upon defense
of Imperialism are:
First-That we must improve the present,
opportunity to become a world power and
enter into International politics.
Second-That cur commercial interests In
the Philippine Islands and in the Orient
make Il necessary for us to hold the islands
permanently.
Third-Ihat the spread of the Christian
religion will be facilitated by u colonial pol
ley.
Fourth-That there is no honorable retreat
from the position which the nation has
taken.
The first argument is addressed to the
nations pride aud the second to the ma
the church member and the fourth for the
partisan.
II Is sufficient answer to the first argu-
ment to say that for more than century
this nation has been world power. For ten
decades 1t has been the most potent intiu-
ence In the world. Net only has 1t been a
world power, but 1t has done more to affect
the politics of the human race than all the
other nations CT the world combined. The
growth of the principle Of self-government,
planted on American soil. has been the
over.sshadowing political fact Of the nine
teenth century. 1t has made this nation
conspicuous among the nations and given 1t
n place In history such as no other nation
has ever enjoyed.
The Commercial Argument.
The permanent chairman of the last Re-
publican national convention presented the
say ak In all Its when
tense Of being interested In the Philippines
solely on account of others. While we re-
gard the welfare of these people as sacred
trust, we regard the welfare of the Ameri-
selves us well as to others. We believe in
trade expansion. BY every legitimate means
within the province of government and con-
stitution, we mean to stimulate the eXpan-
sion of our trade and open new markets.
This Is the commercial argument. 1t is
based upon the theory that war can be right
Y waged for pecunlary advantage, and that
and violence. The Democratic party is In
favor of the expansion OF trade. 1t would
extend our trade by every legitimate and
peaceful means; but 1t is not willing to
war OF conquest is as unwise as 1t is I'M
righteous harbor and coaling station in
the the philippines would answer Every trade
sion could have been secured at any time
without difficulty.
The pecnniary argument, though more eff
iective with certain classes. is not likely
much emphasis us the religious argument.
II what has been termed the "gun-powder
gospel,' were urged against the Filipinos
that a majority of the Filipinos are now
members OF one branch of the Christian
church; but the principle Involved Is one
OF much wider application and challenges
serious consideration.
The religious argument varies In positive
ness from passive belief that Providence
delivered the Eiliplnos into our hands, for
their good and our glory, to the exultation of
thrash the natives lFilipinos) until they UNI
derstand who we are" and that every bull
let sent. every cannon shot and every flag
waved means righteousness"
We cannot approve of this doctrine in one
place unless we are willing to apply 1t
everywhere. Love, not force, was the
weapon OF the Nazarene; sacrifice for others,
not the exploitation of them, was His meth.
cd OF reaching the human heart. Let 1t be
known that our missionaries are seeking
souls instead of sovereignty; let 1t be known
that instead OF being the advance guard of
conquering armies, they are going forth to
help and to uplift, having their loins grit
about With truth and their feet shod with
the preparation Of the gospel of peace, wear.
carrying, the sword of the Spirit; let 1t be
known that they are the citizens of Il nation
which respects the rights of the citizens of
other nations as carefully us 1t protects the
given to our missionaries will be more cor.
dial than the welcome extended to the mis-
siomarles OF any other nation.
Ihe argument, made by some, that 1t was
unfortunate for the nation that 1t had any
thing to do with the Philippine Islands, but
that the naval victory at Manila made the
permaaent acquisition Of those Islands neces.
sary, Is also unsound. We won naval vic
tory ut Santiago, but that did not compel us
to hold Cuba. The shedding of American
blood In the Philippine Islands does not
make II Imperative that we should retain
possession forever; American blood was shed
ut San Juan Hill and Ell Caney, and yet the
President has promised the Cubans indc-
pendence. The fact that the American flag
exercise perpetual sovereignty over the Isl
ands: that flag waves over havana to-day,
but tue President has promised to haul it
down when the tiag of the Cuban republic is
times that our flag In the Orient give way
to flag representing the idea of self govern
ment than that the flag OF this republic
should become the flag of an empire.
Solution of the Question:.
There Is an easy, honest, honorable solu-
tion Of the Philippine question. 1t is set
forth IN the Democratic platform and 1t is
submitted with confidence to the American
people This plan unreservedly indorse.
III elected, Shall convene Congress in ex-
traordtnary session as soon MS ! am inaug-
urated, and recommend an Immediate dec!ar-
alton of the nations purpose; first, to estab-
list stable form of government In the Phil
ippine Islands, just us we are now establish
Ing stable form of government In the Isl
and Of Cuba: second to give independence to
the Fil.p!nos. Just rs we have promised 10
give independence to the Cubans; third, TO
protect the Filipinos from outside Interior
ence while they work out their destiny, Just
as we have protected the republics Of Gem
tral and South America, and are, Ivy the
Monroe doctrine, pledged to protect Cuba.
An European protectorate often results in
hn M tpf Han af Il H.,
ian. An American protectorate gives to the
nation protected the advantage of our
strength, without making 1t the victim Of
our greed.
their position by argument they fall back
upon the assertion that it Is destiny, and in
sist that we must submit to IT, no matter
how much It violates moral precepts and our
subterfuge of the invertcbrate. who lacking
the courage to oppose error. seeks some
plausible excuse for supporting it. Wash
ington said that the destiny of the republic
can form OF government was deep.y, If not
finally, staked on the experiment Entrusted
to the American people. How different
Washington's definition Of destiny from the
Republ'San definition. The Republicans say
that this nation is in the hands of destiny;
Washington believed that not only the des-
tiny of our own milton. but the destiny of
he Republican form Of government through
out the world was intrus' ed to American
hands. Washington was Eight. The destiny
of this republic is in the hands Of its own
people.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Com.
mittee: can never fully discharge the
debt of gratitude which owe to my coun.
trymen for the honors which they have so
generously bestowed upon ME; but, sIrs,
whether 1t be my lot to occupy the high
/ Office for which the convention has named
me, or to spend the remainder CT my DAYS In
private life, 1t shall be my constant ambi.
tion and my controlling purpose to all in
realizing the high ideals of those whose wis.
dom and courage and sacrifices brought this
republic into existence.
| can conceive of n national destiny sur.
passing the glorles of the present and the
pasta destiny which meets the respensi.
bllties of the to-day and measures i'm to
the possibilities of the future. Behold a
republic. resting securely upon the founda.
tion stones qunrried by revolutionary pat.
| riots from the mountain of eternal truth-a
republic applying in practice and proclaim.
| Ing to the world the self-evilent propcsI-
| tion "That all men are created equal; that
they are endowed with inallenable rights;
that governments are Instituted among men
| to secure these rights; that governments de.
rive their Just powers from the consent OF
the governed" Behold republic In which
civil and religious liberty stimulate ali ia
earnest endeavor ana In which the law