The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-08-15

o ,nlHeu that the admi intStrRtlOn WOll
n cess8rily gain u political advantag
from the conduct OF "a war which, in tn
very nature OF the case must soon On
In complete victory, they We'd wit
tho Republicans In the support whic
they gave to the president. Wren tn
war WAS over and the Republican lead
ers began TO suggest the propriety OF
colonial policy opposition ut once man
ifcsted Itself. When the president lin
ally laid before the Senate treat
which recognized the independence o
Cuba, but provided for the cession o
the Philippine islands to the Unite,
States, the menace Of Imperialism be
came SO apparent that many preferred
to reject the treaty aud risk the ill
that might follow rather than take tn,
chance OF correcting the errors of tn,
treaty by the independent action OF thi
country ! was among the number o
those who believed it better TO ratif,
the treaty and end the war, release Tho
volunteers, remove the excuse for wal
expenditures, and then give the Filipi
DOS the Independence which might bt
| forced from Spain by anew treaty.
la view OF The criticism which IN,
action aroused in some quarters take
| this occasion to restate the reasons
given at that time. thought 1t safer tC
trust the American people to give in.
| pendcnce to the Filipinos than to trust
the accomplishment OF that purpose to
diplomacy with an unfriendly nation
Lincoln embodied an argument in the
question, when he asked: Can aliens
make treaties easier than friends can
make laws - | believe that we are
now In better position to wage u sue.
cessful contest against Imperialism
than we would have been had the
treaty been rejected
With the treaty ratified, clean
cut issue is presented between q gov.
ernment by consent and a government
oy force, and imperialisss must bear
the responsibility for all that happens
until the question Is settled.
Ii the treaty had been rejected,
the opponents Of Imperialism would
nave been held responsible for any in
ternational complications which might
have arisen before the ratification OF
another treaty. But whatever differ
ences OF opinion may have existed as
to the best method of opposing the
colonial policy, there never was any
differences as to the great Importance
OF the question and there is no differ
ence now as to the course to be pur-
sued.
"The title of Spain being extinguish-
ed, we were at liberty to deal with the
flllplnos according to American prin-
ciples. The Bacon resolution, intro
duced month before hostilities oroke
out at Manila, promised independence
TO the FllipinOs on the same terms that
1T was promised to the Cubans. | sup
ported this resolution and believe that
Its adoption prior to the breaking out
OF hostilities would have prevented
bloodshcd, and that its adoption at any
subsequent time would have ended
hostihlieS.
IL the treaty had been rejected
considerable time would have neces.
sarily elapsed before new treaty
could have been agreed upon and rati-
he'd, and during that time the question
would have been agitating the public
mind. Ii the Bacon resolution had
been adopted by the Senate and carried
out by the president either at the time
OF the ratification OF the treaty or at any
time afte rwards, 1t would have lax en- the
question OF imperialism out Of politics
and left the American people free to
deal with their domestic problems
But the resolution was defeated by the
vote Of the Republican vice president,
and from that time to this Republi.
can Congress has refused to take any
action whatever in the matter.
Whom hostilities broke out at Ma.
Mia. Republican speakers and Repub
llcan editors at once sought to lay the
blame upon those who had delayed the
ratification OF the treaty, and, during
the progress OF the war, the same Re-
puhlicans have accused the opponents
OF imperialism OF giving encourage.
ment to the FllipinOs.
"This ia a cowardly evasion OF re.
sponsibillty.
" II 1t is right for the United States
to hold The Philippine islands per-
mauently and initiate European EN-.
pires In the government of colonies,
the Republican party ought to state it's
position and defend it, but it must ex-
pect the subject races to protest against
such policy and to resist to the extent
OF their ability. The Filipinos do not
need any encouragement from Ameri-
cans now living. Our whole history
has been an encouragement, not only
to the Filipinos but TO all who are de-
MEDIA voice in their own government.
LII the Republicans are prepared to
censure all who have used language
calculated to make the Filipinos hate
the speech of Patrick Henry.
when he uttered that passionate
appeal, Give me liberty or give me
DEATH he expressed a sentiment
which still echoes in the hearts OF
men.
Let them censure jefferson OF ali
the statesmen OF history none have
used words SO offensive to those who
would hold their fellows In political
bondage.
" Let them censure Washington,
who declared that the colonists must
choosed between liberty and slavery.
Or, II the statute of Limitation has
run against the sins of Henry and JEFF
ferson and Washington, let them CEN
sure Lincoln, whose Gettysburg speech
will be quoted In defense of popul ar
government when the present advo.
Gates OF force and conquest are for
gotten.
a POSITIVE POLICY
Better thousand times that our
flag in the Orient give way to a flag
representing the idea OF seif-govern-
ment than that the flag Of this repub-
lic should become the flag of an en-
pire.
"There is an easy, honest, honorable
solution OF the Philippine question.
1t is set forth In the Democratic plat
form and 1t ia submitted with conf
dence to the American people. This
plan | unreservedly indorse. II elect
ed, shall convene Congress in extra
ordinary session as soon as | am inau.