The age-herald., 1900-08-24

IT IS not our fault that these new questions have been thrust into the arena of poli- tics; it is not our fault that the people have been called upon to consider questions of ever-increasing magnitude
 "In 1890 the tariff question was the pas sage of discussion, and the Democratic party contended that the masses were car rying burden of unjust and unnecessary taxes In 1892 the tariff question was still the principal issue between the Democratic and Republican parties, although in the West and South the money question was assuming greater and greater proportions, and the Populists were contending that our monetary system was more responsible than the tariff laws for depression in ag- riculture and the distress existing among the wage earners In 1896 the whole ques- tion of taxation became of secondary i'm portance because of the increased boldness of those who opposed the gold and silver coinage of the constitution.
 "When the Republicans declared at St. Louis that the restoration of bimetaliism In this country, although desirable, was impossible without the aid of the leading commercial nations of the world the Pop ulists and silver Republicans joined with the Democrats in asserting the right and duty of the American people to shape their financial system for themselves regardless of the action of other nations. The failure of the Republican party to secure inter- national bimetallism and its open espousal of the gold standard still kept the money question in play, but no economic question can compare with a question which con cerns the principle and structure of gov ernment. Systems of taxation can be changed with less difficulty than financial systems, and financial systems can be all tered with less danger and less disturb ances to the country than the vital prin- ciISa upon which free government rests.
 The Present Controversy
 Tn the early sixties, when we were en- gagged in a contest which was to determine whether we should have one Republic or two, questions of finance were lost sight of. Silver was at a premium over gold, and both gold and silver were at pre- mium over greenbacks and bank notes, put the people could not afford to divide over the money question in the presence of an other issue. And so today we are engaged in a controversy which will determine whether we are to have a Republic in which the Government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed or an empire in which the brute is the only recognized source of power.
 Tn a government where the people gov ern every evil is remedied, but when the doctrine of sef-government is impaired and might is substituted for right, there is certainty that any question will be settled quickly.
 "A colonial policy would occupy the people with the consideration of the na- tions foreign policy that mere economic questions would be neglected. ',. no will haul down the fiag?' or Stand by the Pres ident" would be the prompt response to every criticism of the Administration and corruption and special privilege would thrive under the cover of patriotism.
 MIiitarisnl Opposed
 Tt is not strange that the Popuists should oppose militarism and imperialism, for both are antagonistic to the principles which Populists apply to other questions. Looking at questions from the standpoint of the producer of wealth. rather than from the standpoint of the speculator, the Populist recognizes in militarism con- stant and increasing burden. The army worm which occasionally destroys a field of wheat is not near so dangerous an enemy to the farmer as a large sanding army, which invades every field of indus try and exacts toll from every crop.
 If 100000 men are withdrawn from the ranks of the producers and placed as a burden on the backs of those who remain it must mean longer hours and harder work for those who toll and the farmer, while he pays more than his share of the ex- penses of the army, has no part in army contracts or in developing companies, and his sons are less likely to fill the positions in the army than the sons of those who, by reason of wealth or political prominence, exert influence at Washington.
 The Colon al Policy
 Soon after the Republican leaders began to suggest the propriety of a colonial policy the papers published an interview given out from San Francisco by foreign consul re- siding at Manila. He declared that the peo- pie of the United States owed it to them- selves, to other nations and to the Fill pinos to hold the Philippine islands perma- nentlV At the conclusion Of the interview there appeared the very significant state ment that the gentleman was visiting the United States for the purpose of organiz- ing d company for the development of the Philippine islands. A few days later on his way east, he gave out another interview, in which he explained that the company which he intended to organize would estab- fish banks at Manila and at other places throughout the islands and build electric light plants, water plants street car sines, factories, etc. It seemed that the plan of his syndicate was to do all the de- velopment and leave the rest of tfe Amer ican people nothing to do in the matter ex- cept to furnish an army sufficient to hofI the Filipinos in subjection while they were being developed.
 Army Expenditures
 At the present rate we will spend an- nually upon the army approximately half as much as we spend for education iD the United States, and this immense sum fs wrung from the taxpayers by systems of taxation which over-burden the poor man and under-tax the rich man.
 "In the presence of such an issue mill ftarism, 1t Is impossible that any Populist should hesitate as to his duty.
 But even the menace of militarism is but a part of the question of imperialism. The policy contemplated by the Republican party nullifies every principle set forth in the Declaration of Independence, strikes a blow at popular government and robs the nation of its moral prestige Already the more advanced supporters of the colonial Idea point to the economy of a system of government which entrusts all powers to an executive and does away with the ne- cessity of legislation. The Army and Navy Journal, in its issue of August 4, comments the English system and declares that as result of this system a fifth of the worlds area, containing a fifth of its population, Is ruled with an administrative economy which Is an administrative marvel, and adds:
 |" One million two hundred thousand dol lars spent in London is the price of admin al rrI1n xuha