Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-01

A10iiiinasion oi MT. McEAlntey is q lore
gone conclusion This assumption
ought not to be made too hastily.
Times have changed good deal since
lnat conclusion was generally accepted.
| When this idea first. started, neither
the true nature of the imperialist pro-
gram was clearly understood by many.
nor was it generally believed that
president Mckinley was really commit
ted to changing the Republic to- an en-
pre-. A VERY UNEXPECTED AND
STARTLING EVIDENCE OF THE
FACT THAT IT is PRECISELY THIS
WHICH HE AND HIS SUPPORTERS
, HAVE DETERMINED UPON HAS
BEEN BROUGHT TO LIGHT. The
Porto Rico incident has revealed the
true nature of the imperialist program
as suddenly and as completely. as the
flrst flash of pirate guns reveals to the
unsuspecting merchantmen the true
nature OF the craft he has incautiously
approached. Mr.. Mckinley says: free
trade for Porto Rico. THE SUGAR
TRUST AND TOBACCO SAY TARIFF.
Tariff 1t is, say the President and his
friends. but we will be gentle in apply
ing the knife; we will use the blood to
heal the wound.
But not all the American people can
be fooled all the time. though a part
OF them can be fooled part of the time,
and all OF them u part OF the time.
Then comes revolt from the West and
Northwest, with most of our home peo-
pie sleeping day and night, as is their
wont. But in the West--the middle
and far West-is the power 10 deter
mine. 1t is safe to say that eighty
per cent. Of the American press rebukes
this outrage 1t is the greatest revolt
known in recent years. What does it
really mean? and will it last? 1t
means that the American people know
now what 1T is that William Mckinley
represents, how certainly mcrcilcss and
uncertainty merciful that man Is who
sits in the Presidents chair when pol
itical necessity compcls him TO be. The
benevolent assimilator will Starvc
Puerto Ricans if King Sugar and King
Tobacco, who have filched the scepter
OF King Cotton, say; Let them starve.
There is q world of significance in this
little fact. This is what the people see
now. Perhaps before June they will
sec something more, They will ask
whether King Sugar or King Tobacco
decreed the slaughter of 10000 Fill
pinos and two American regiments. II
they ask the question they will de-
mand an answer. y people who once
wake TO asking questions have a fash
lon OF keeping on. Public opinion may
force free trade with Puerto Rico, but
even that cannot stop the trouble.
Public opinion can not forget that men
who are willing to strange that right
cous policy can not be longer trusted
to win in November II free trade
comes With Puerto Rico under the flag,
1t comes as surely with the Philip
pines under the flag. That is what
King Sugar and King Cotton see and
fear. That would be impossible. The
country would not stand it; labor would
rebel. What Is the alternative Charyb-
dis 10 that Scylla? Freedom for the
Philippines under an American protec-
torate, with far greater trade advan-
taGcS to us than with the islands re-
manning to us what they are nova
tropical hell or Il tropical graveyard.
We can not endure the permanent hate
of the people we have wronged. We
must change the hate into friendliness
We must grant freedom. II is the only
road out of the terrible labyrinth. But
how can we get on the road? There
arc two ways.
The Republican Party can nominate
Mckinley the man working through
whom the money kings got us into this
trouble, and so bring about the election
OF Bryan. Or the Republican Party,
seeing its danger, knowing that it is
now floating far and ihelplessly from it's
old time mornings. from the teachings
of its great men.-its Lincoln and Sum
ner. HOar Boutwell,, IIdmunds, Schur2
and Henderson,-can relegate the
money-kings to the rear: can strike
for the interests OF the people. and put
forward as it's representative 4 man
strong enough. true enough, to snatch
victory from defeat.
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES.
Teacher-"If your name is John