Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-08-14
Some argue that American rule in the
Philippine islands will result In the hettar |

vantage to educate thn people. The edu-
Gated Filipinos are now in revolt against
us, and the most ignorant ones have made
the least resistance to our domination. If
we are to govern them without their con-
the taxes which they must pay We dare not
educate Them lest they learn to read the
declaration of independence and the con-
stitution of the United States and mock
us for our inconsistency.
me principal arguments, however, ad-
vanced by those who enter upon defense
OF Imperialism are:
rirst. mat we must improve the present
opportunity to become a world power and
en.er INTO International politics.
. oeCOnQ, That our commercial interests in
the Philippine islands and in the orient
make 1t necessary for us to hold the is
lands permanently.
religion win be facilitated by a colonial
policy
Fourth, That there is no honorable re-
has taken.
The first argument is addressed to the
nations pride and the second to the ma
for the church member and the fourth for
the partisan
Growth of n Principle,
1t is sufficient answer to the first argyll
ment TO say that for more than century
this nation has been a world power For
ten decades 1t has been the most potent
influence in the world. Not only has it
'NSti q WIN poWST, put II mas QOne more
to affect the politics of the human race
than all the other ma tions of the world
combined. Because our declaration of in
ddepen:lence was promulgated, others have
besn promulgated. Because the patriots
OF 1I76 fought for liberty others have
fought as ior It; because our constitution
N Mas ad aonts other he constitutions have
lean soil has baen the ' overs ba amep
political fact of the nineteenth century.
III trt,
among the nations and given it a place
In history such as no other nation has
eyer enjoyed. Nothing has been able to
am not willing that this nation snail cast
aside the omnipotent weapon of truth to
ss, r again n,t the weapon OF physical war.
this republic for the glory of all the en-
pires that have risen and fallen since time
0e FEha psrmanen. chairman Of thu ,.st 70
publican national convention presented
ness. when he said
msns n9 sSa
the welfare of these people as a sacred
; trust: we regard the welfare Of the Amer
selyes as we'll as to others. We believe
in trade expansion. By every legitimate
means within the province of government
new markets" ~
This is the commercial argument. 1t
Is based upon the theory that war can
be rightly waged for pecuniary advan-
tage, and that 1t is profitable to purchase
trade by force and violence Franklin de-
Lord Howe asserted that the aets of par1
lament, which brought on the revolution,
We're necessary to prevent American trade
I FTan,, PaS Tsnlao into foreign channels
ITO me It seems that neither the OBJ
tanning nor retaining of any trade, how
valuable i is an object aS for which
that the true and sure means of extend
ing and securing commerce are the good
that the profits of no trade can ever be
equal to the expense of compelling 1t and
holding it by fleets and armies con-
sider this war against us. therefore, as
both unjust and unwlse.'
l place the philosophy of Franklin
against the sordid doctrine of those who
would put a price upon the life of an
conquest upon. the ground that 1t will pay.
The TN, democratic party is In favor Of the
b% S1 oG ana
means; but 1t Is not willing to make mer-
chandise of human blood.
it is unrighteous; 4 harbor and coaling
station In the Philippines would answer
every trade and military necessity and
such a concession could have been secured
at any time without difficulty.
1t is not necessary to own people in Or
der to trade with them. We carry on
trade to-day with every part of the world
rapidly than the commerce of any Euro
pean empire. We do. not. own Japan or
China, but we trade with their people. We
have not absorbed the republics of Cen
trail and South America, but we trade
with them. It has not been necessary to
have any political connections with Cam
ada or the nations of Europe in order to
trade with them. Trade cannot be per-
manently profitable unless 1t is volun-
tary. When trade Is secured by force. the
cost of securing 1t and retaining it must
be taken out of the profits. and the profits
are never large enough to cover the ex-
pense. Such system would never be de-
Tended but for the fact, that the expense
is borne by all the people, while the prof
its are enjoyed by the few
Evils of Imperialism.
Imperialism would be profitable to the
army contractors; 1t would be profitable
to the shipowners, who would carry live
soldiers to the Philippines and bring dead
soldiers back; II would be profitable to
those who would seize upon the franchises,
and it would be profitable to the officials
whose salaries would be fixed here and
laboring man and to the vast majority OF
those engaged in other occupations, it
would bring expenditure without return
and risk without reward.
Farmers and laboring men have, as
rule, small incomes, and, under systems
which place the tax upon all consumption,
penses of government. Thus the very peo-
Pile who receive least benefit from i'm
perialism will be injured most by the mil
In addition to the evils which he and the
farmer share In common. the laborlng man
will be the first 70 suffer i oriental subjects
to suffer if American capital leaves our
shores to employ oriental labor in the
Philippines to supply the trade of China
violence which the military spirit arouses,
and the first to suffer when the methods
government.
1t is not strange, therefore, that the labor
organizations have been quick to note the
approach of these dangers and prompt to
protest against both mlitarism and i'm
perialism.
The pecuniary argument. though more
effective with certain classes. is not likely
to be used SO often or presented with SO
much emphasis as the religious argument.
If what has been termed the "gunpowder
gospel" Were, urged against the Filipinos
only, 1T would be sufficient answer to say
that majority of the Filipinos are now
church; but, the principle involved is ops
Of much wider application and challenges
serious consideration.
The religious yaEes Il positive
delivered the F'ilpinos into our hands. for
their good and our glory, to the exultation
ot inc minister VINO SAID that we ought to
thrash the natives (Filpinos) until they
understand who we are" and that every
bullet sent. every cannon shot and every
nag waved means righteousness"
No Calling Gossip.
We cannot approve of this doctrine in
one place unless we are willing to apply
1t everywhere. If there is poison in the
blood of the hand it will ultimately reach
the heart. 1t is equally trle that forcible
Christianity, If planted under the American
flag in the far-away orient, will sooner or
later be transplanted upon American soil.
out in our daily lives the teachings Of
Christ who will saw that we commando