Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-09

~
largest measure of self-government
consistent with their welfare and our
duties shall be secured to them Uhe
Filipinos) by law" This Is a strange
doctrine for a government which owes
It's very existence to the men who Of
fered their lives as a protest against
government without consent and tax
alton without representation. In what
respect does the position of the Re-
publican party differ from the position
taken by, the English Government in
1lI6? Did not the English Government
promise Il good government to the col
onsts? What King ever promised
bad government to his people? Did not
the English Government promise that
the colonistS should have the largest
measure of government consistent
with their welfare and English duties?
Did not the Spanish Government prom
Use to give the Cubans the largest
measure of elf-government consistent
with their welfare and Spanish duties?
The whole difference between Il mon
archy and a Republic may be sum-
moned up in one sentence. In u mon
archy the King gives to the people,
what he believes to be good govern
ment: in Il Republic the people secure
for themselves what they believe to
be n good government The Republi-
can party has accepted the European
idea and planted itself upon the
ground taken by George Ill. and by
every ruler who distruStS the capacity
Vi tnc people lOI sell -SONtIIltltnl, UT
denies them voice in their own af-
fairs.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
The Republican platform promises
that some measure of self government
is to be given to the Filpinos by law;
but. even this pledge is not fulfilled.
Nearly sixteen months elapsed after
the ratification of the treaty before the
adjournment of Congress last June
and yet no law was passed dealing
with the Philippine situation. The will
of the President has been the only law
in the Philippine Islands wherever the
American authority extends, Why does
| the Republican party hesitate to legis-
, late upon the Philippine question?
Because n law would disclose the radi-
cal departure from history and prece-
! dent contemplated by those who con-
troll The Republican party. The storm
OF protest which greeted the Porto Ri
| can bill WAS an indication OF what
| may he expected when the American
| people are brought face to face with
| legislation upon this subject. If the
| Porto RicanS, who welcome anneXa-
lion. are to be denied the guarantees
| OF our constitution, what is to be the
| lot OF the Eilipinos who resisted our
| authority? If secret Influences could
| compcl disregard Of cur plain duty
toward friendly people. living near pur
| shores. what treatment will those same
| Influences provide for unfricndly people
! 1000 miles away? If. in this country,
where he people have "A right to vote.
! Republican leaders dare not take the
! side of the people against tlie great
| monopolicS which have grown up with
in the last Few years. how can they
he trusted 10 protect the l'iipinns
| from tho corporations which are wait
ing to exploit the islands?
CITIZENSHIP.
Is the sunlight OF fun citizenship TO
| hA -.
states and the twilight of scmi-citi-
zcnship endured by the people of Porto
Rico. while the thick darkness at per-
petual NaSSalage covers the Philip
pines? The Porto Rico tariff law as
serts the doctrine that the operation
OF the Constitution Is confined To the
inrty-iiVc states. The Democratic
party disputes this doctrine and de-
nounccs it As repugnant to both the
letter and spirit OF our organic law.
There Is no place in our system Of
government for the deposit ut arh-
trary and irresponsible power. THAT
the leaders of great party should
claim for any President or Congress
the right 20 treat millions OF peole as
| mere possessions" and deal with them
unrcstraIncd by the Constitution or
the Bill of Rights. shows how far we
have already departed from the an
| Client landmarks, ana indicates what
| may bc expected If this nation DELHI
erutely enters upon n career at en-
| pirc. The territorial form of govern
ment Is Temporary and preparatory.
| and the chief security citizen of a
| territory has IS found in the fact that
! he enjoys the same constitutional
! guarantees and is subject to the same
| general laws as citizen of State.
! Take away this security and his rights
will be violated and his interest sacri-
| feed. This is the evil OF the colonial
system, no matter by what nation it
| Is applied.
| OUR TITLE TO THE PHILIPPINES.
What is our title TO the Philippine
! Islands? DO we hold them By treaty or
by conquest? Did we buy them or did
! We take them? Did we purchase the
people? Ii not, how did we secure
| title to- them? Were they thrown In
with the land? viii the Republicans
say that inanimate earth has value
| and when that earth is moulded by
| the divine hand ana stamped with the
likeness OF the creator ii becomes n
! fixture and passe swilh the soil? II
| governments derive their just powers
from the consent of the governed, 1T is
| Impossible to secure title TO people.
| either by force or by purchase. We
could extnguish Spanish titles by
treaty, but If we hold title We must
hold 1T by some method consistent with
our ideas of government. When we
made allies. of the F'iliplnos and armed
! them 10 fight against Spain. we dis
| putcd SPANS title. If we buy Spain's
| title we are not innocent purchasers
| But even II we had not disputed
SPANS title. she could transfer no
| greater title than she had. and her title
was based on force alone. We cannot
defend such Il title. but as Spain gave
us a quit claim deed, we can honora bly,
turn the property over To the party in
| possession. Whether any American of
| fetal gave the F'ilipinos moral assur-
ance of independence is not material.
There can be no doubt that we accept
ed and utilized the services of the Fill