Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-08-14

HON WILLIAM
patty is due to the fact that, as stated in
our platform, we believe in the principle
of self-government and reject, as did our
forefathers, the claims of monarchy.
Imperialism Not Expansions.
Our opponents, conscious of the weak
ness of their cause, seek to confuse inn
perialism with expansion, and have even
dared to claim Jefferson as a supporter
of their policy. Jefferson spoke so freely
and used language with such precision
that no one can be ignorant of his views.
On one occasion he declared: IF there
be one principle more deeply rooted than
any other in the mind of every American,
it is that we should have nothing to do
with conquest" And again he said
Conquest is not in our principles: it is
inconsistent with cur government
The forcihle annexation of territory to
be governed by arbitrary power, differs
as much from the acquisition of terri
tory to be built up into states as mon
archy differs from a democracy. The
Democratic party does not oppose eXpan-
sion, when expansion enlarges the area
of the republic and Incorporates land
which can be settled by American citi
zens, or adds to our population people
who are willing to become citizens and
are capable of discharging their duties
as such The acquisition of the Louisi-
ana territory, Florida, Texas and other
tracts which have been secured from time
to time, enlarged the republic, and the
constitution followed the flag into the
new territory. 1t is now proposed to
seize upon distant territory already more
densely populated than our own country,
and to force upon the people govern
ment. for which there is no warrant in
our constitution or our laws Even the
argument that this earth belongs to those
who desire to cultivate it and have the
physical power TO acquire it cannot be
invoked to Justify the appropriation of
the Philippine Islands by the United
States, for if the islands were uninhab-
tied American citizens would not be will
ing to 90 there and till the soil The
white race will not live so<near the equa-
tor
A colonial policy means that we shall
send to the Philippines a few traders. a
few task masters and a few office-hold-
ers, and an army large enough to support
the authority of a small fraction of the
people while they rule the natives.
IL we have an imperial policy we raust
have large standing army as its nat
ural and necessary complement. The
spirit which will justify the forcible an
neXation of the Philippine Islands will
just ty the seizure of other islands and
the domination of other people, and
wars of conquest we can expect a GER
tain. il not rapid growth of our military
establishment. That a large permanent
increase in our regular army is intended
by the Republican leaders is not mere
matter of conjecture, but matter of
fact.
Menace of Big Army.
A large standing army is not only pc
cuniary burden to the people and, if
accompanied by compulsory service. q
constant source of irritation, but it is
ever 4 menace to a Republican form of
government. A small standing army and
well-equipped and well-disciplined State
militia are sufficient in ordinary times,
aud in any elhes g5ncy the nation should
IN the future as in the past place its de-
pendence upon the volunteers who come
from all occupations at their country's
call and return TO productive labor when
their services are no longer required
men who fight when the country needs
fighters and work when the country needs
workers.
The Republican platform assumes that
the Philippine Islands will be retained
under American sovereignty, and we have
right to demand of the Republican lead
erS a discussion of the future status of
the Filipino. Is he to be citizen or
subject Are we TO bring into the body
polite eight or ten million Asiatics, so
different from US in race and history that
amalgamation is impossible? Are they
to share with us in making the laws and
shaping the destiny of this nation? No
Republican OF prominence has been bold
enough 10 advocate such proposition.
The Democratic platform describes the
situation when il says that the Fiipiaos
cannot be citizens without endangering
our civilization. Who will dispute it?
And what is the alternative? II the
Filipino is not to be a citizen shall we
make him subject? On that question
the Democratic platform speaks with
emphasis. It declares that the Filipino
cannot be a subject without endangering
our form of government. A republic can
have no subjects.
The whole difference between a mon
archy and a republic may be summed up
in one sentence. In a monarchy the king
gives 10 the people what be believes TO be
a good government; in republic the peo-
pie secure for themselves what they be-
lieve 20 be good government. The Re-
pubscan party has accepted the Euro
pean idea and planted itself upon the
ground taken by George Ill. and by every
ruler who distrustS the capacity of the
people for self-government or denies them
NteNN az N-AtAA Wv II AAlNAASs
Republicans Fear to LegisIate.
The Republican platform promises that
some measure Of Self-government is to
be given 70 the Fihpinos by law: but,
even this pledge is not fulfilled Nearly
sixteen months elapsed after the ratifica-
ton OF the treaty before the adjournment
of Congress last June. aud yet no law
was passed dealing with the Philippine
situation. The viii of the President has
been the only law in the Philippine
Islands wherever the American authority
extends. Why does the Republican party
hesitate 20 legiSlate upon the Philippine
question? Because law would disclose
the radical departure from history and
precedent contemplated by those who
control the Republican party. The storm
Of protest which greeted the Porto Riean
bill was m indication of what may be
expected when the American people are
brought face 10 face with legislation
upon this subject. If the Porto Ricans.
who welcome annexation. are 10 be de-
MED the guarantees OF our constitution
what is to be the lot of the FilipinoS, who
resisted our authority III secret intiu-
enees could compel 4 disregard 81 our
plain duty toward friendly people. living
near our shores, what treatment will
those same Influences provide for IN
friendly people ZOO miles away? r. I'M
this country. where the people have the
right 10 vote, Republican leaders dare not
take TIE side OF the people against iha
great m0norolies which have grown rs
within the last few years. how can they
be trusted 70 protect the Eilipin0s rom
the corporations which are waiting TO
aeSpoi the iSiandSy
What Is our title To the PhilippiAe
Islands, Do we hold them by treaty ar
by cenqucStf Did we buy them or did
we take thems Did we purchase the