The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-10-01

that of the world. The pretense now that
this disclaimer upon our part applied only
to Cuba, and not to other Spanish depend
encies is to palter with words in doupie
"Existing conditions abroad now chal-
lenge our serious thought, whether we
will or no. Spain has been conquered
and the qualification of Cuba'-the de-
cared purpose of the war-secured. And
yet we find ourselves still engaged in war;
n war. too, on our former allies in our
conflict with Spain. 1t is war against
a people 5000 miles distant, and of whom,
until recent years, we had scarcely heard.
1t is an expensive war, having already
cost nearly two hundred millions in
money and thousands of valuable lives.
The question to be answered by each
American voter now and in November Is:
Why this war? What is to be our justi-
fication at the bar of history?
"All mere words and Qualifications OF
the flag aside, the sad fact remains that
1t is purely war of conquest; war of
subjugation against a people who, as has
been eloquently said, in their struggle
for Independence have interposed the
declaration of Jefferson as shield
against the attacks of his own country
sixty thousand soldiers are now in the
Philippine islands; how much greater
will be the sacrifice of treasure and hui
man life before the conquest is completed
no man can know. And when completed,
what next? How are these islands to
be held and governed? Does any sane
man doubt thai IL can only be by force
by the power of the army and the navy?
And this not for a day or a year, but
for all time. All this smples the exercise
of power'unknown to the constitution. 1t
is In very truth government outside of
the constitution. 1t means the adoption
by the American public of the colonial
means the right TO hold alien peoples as
subjects. 1t enthrones force as the con-
trolling agency in government. In a
word, 1t foreshadows the empire.
more than this, following close in
the wake of imperialism, as the night
the day, comes the immense standing
army. The dread arm of miltarism is
to be made bare in the new world as it
is In the old. The strong arm of power
is to be substituted for the peaceful
agencies which. for more than a century,
have brought contentment and happiness
TO all our people. Existing conditions In
continental Europe-entaillng taxation
and misery TO the verge of human endur-
anCe. illustrate by a sad object lesson
the inevitable result of large standing
armies in time of peace.
conditions now existing In the Philip
pine islands, for which we are In n meas
ure responsible, impose new duties upon
us. These people are entitled to our pro-
lection against the cupidity and aggres-
sive spirit of other nations. And this.
not to the end Of Subiugation upon our
part, but TO that of the full enjoyment
by them of liberty and the ultimate
establishment of stable government fash
toned by their own hands.
imperialism. the republic or the en-
pre- - indeed the oNerSnauoWlng issue
with which we are confronted in the
pending struggle for political supremacy.
Its determination IS 10 be by the Ameri-
can people through the peaceful instru-
mentality of the ballot. Meanwhile. it's
discussion will continue at the freside
and on the hustings with an earnest
ness rarely equaled In our history. 1t
was Burke who said:
~ love camor when there is an abuse
The alarm bell disturbs the inhabitants.
but it saves them from being burned in
their beds
again thanking the committee and
those they represent. l accept the nomi-
nation so generously rendered me. Should
your action be ratified by the people at
the polls, IL will be my earnest endeavor
to discharge with fidelity the duties OF
the great office.
II have the honor to remain yours very
truly, ADLAI II. STENENSON.'