The Irish standard., 1900-08-11
the Filipinos from outside interference

ZIG AlIetllOS lIOIll OulSlO0 interference
while they work out their destiny, Just
as we have protected the republics Of
Central Ger and South America. and are, by
cuba. An European protectorate often
results in the exploitation of the ward by
the guardian. An American protectorate
tago of our strength. without making it
the victim of our greed. For three-quar-
ters OF century the Monroe doctrine has
been shield TO neighboring republics
and yet 1t has imposed no pecuniary bur-
den upon us. After the Filipinos had aid
ed US in the war against Spain. we could
not honorably turn them over to their
former masters: we could not leave them
TO be the victims of the ambitious de-
signs OF the European nations, and since
we do not desire to make them part Of
US. or to hold them as subjects, we pro-
pose the only alternative, namely. to give
them independence and guard them
against molestation from without.
When our opponents are unable to de-
fcnd their position by argument they fall
back upon the assertion that it is destiny,
apd insist that we must submit to it, no
Gspts and our principles of government.
This is 4 complacent philosophy. 1t OBJ
literates the distinction between right and
wrong and makes individuals and nations
the helpless victims OF circumstances.
Destiny is the Subteriuge Of the In
vertebrate, who, lacking the courage to
oppose error, seeks some plausible excuse
destiny of the republican form of gov
eminent was deeply. ii not finally, staked
on the experiment intrusted TO the Amer
lean people How different WaShington's
definition of destiny from the republican
definition. The republicans say that this
nation is In the hands OF destiny; WASH
ing ton believed that not only the destiny
OF our own nation. but the destiny of the
republican form of government through
out the world was intrusted to American
destiny Of this republic is in the hands of
its own people, upon the success OF the
eNperimcnt.here rests the hope of humans
ity. No exterior force can disturb this
republic. and no foreign influence should
be permitted to change its course. What
the future has in store for this nation 10
one has authority TO declare, but each in
dividual has his own idea OF the nations
mission and he owes ii to his country us
we'll as to himself to contribute as best he
may to the fulhllment OF that mission.
Mr.. Chairman. and Gentlemen of the
Committees: ! can never fully discharge the
debt OF gratitude which owe TO my coun-
generously bestowed upon me; but, sirs.
whether it be my lot to occupy the high
office for which the convention has named
me. or to spend the remainder OF my days
In private life. it shall be my constant am
bitiun and my controlling purpose to aiu in
realizing the high ideals of those whose
wisdom and courage and sacrifices brought
this republic into existence.
i can conceive OF a national destiny sur
passing the glorics OF the present and the
pasta destiny which meets the response
possibilities OF the future Behold il repub-
lie. resting securely upon the foundation
stones quarred by revolutionary patriots
from the mountain of eternal truth--a re-
public applying in practice and proclaim
ing TO the world the selt-cvident PROPOSE
uon: that all men are created equal; that
they are endowed with inalienuble rights:
that governments are instituted among
men TO secure these rights; that govern
mcnts derive their just powers from the
consent of the governed Behold a republic
in which civil and religious liberty stimu-
lateS all to earnest endeavor and in which
the law restraints every hand uplifted for
ueighbor $ inlury--n republic in which
every citizen is Il sovereign but in which
no one cares to wear Il crown. Behold Il
republic standing erect while empires all
around are bowed beneath the weight of
flag is loved while other flags are only
feared. Behold IL republic Increasing In
population, in wealth. In strength and In
influence. solving the problems of civiliza-
ton and fastening the coming of II uni
versal brotherhoud-a republic which
shakes thrones and dissolves artist ocrac Giles
by its silent example and gives light and
inspiration to those who sit In darkness,
Behold Il republic gradually but surely
becoming the supreme moral factor in the
worlds progress and the accepted arbiter
Of the worlds disputes-n republic whose
history. like the path of the just, lis rs
the shining light that shineth moro and
more into the perfect day."