The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-08-09

pleXion of the senate of the United States
to be so changed within two years as to
make the passage of the free coinage leg
islation not only possible, but absolutely
certain should Mr.. Bryan triumph in No
Nember.
There are over 100000 of the voters of
fraternal insurance organizations;
membership largely recruited from those
or moderate means, men who work for
William Jennings Bryan and his followers
say twice in the Kansas City platform
that they will cut every dollar of those
benefits for which they have paid good
lars on deposit in the banks of Iowa
which represent the savings of those who
toll. Let them not forget that Bryan
stands committed to destroy one-half of
their Accommodations the moment he and
his party have the power. Let every vet
cram who wore the blue remember vote
for Mr.. Bryan means the reduction of his
pension not less than one-haif. And let
every voter in this great state who has
not forgotten the Injunction of the dear
est friend he ever had in this world, his
mother with the admonition of that
ing BE honest. my boy" let the men of
Iowa go to the polls in November and
bury beyond hoae of resurrection the
dishonest Bryantistic doctrine of free sill
Yer upon the false ratio of 16 to j. In at
tempting to cover up their advocacy of
the free coinage of silver by the false cry
of Imperialism the democratic leaders de-
ceive only themselves.
Imperialism Discussed.
What is this imperialism to which the
Bryanites attach such dire consequence?
When and where did it begin? What con-
stituted the first imperialistic act of Will
liar. Mckinley or his party? Did it begin
in Mania harbor when Dewey delivered
the crushing blow to the Spanish SQUAD
ron there? # so. it was applaud l..i, by
this country. Did it begin when the
American army raised the Stars and
Stripes on the island of Luzon? If SO. it
had the approval of every loyal American.
of the army or navy located upon Phil
ippine soil or in Philippine waters pre-
vious to the treaty of Paris? If so, it
had the unqualified endorsement of an
overwhelming majority of the American
people. Did it have origin in the treaty OF
Paris itself. which finally determined the
status of this government in those ISL
ands? 1t so, it had the ardent and un-
asked for support of William Jennings,
Bryan. the anti-imperialstic candidate
for president of the United States.
The ratification of that IT, treaty re- ana the
paid Spain for her rights in the islands
was in no sense a partisan act No man
in America did more to secure the ratifi--
that appropriation than did William Jen-
ntngs Bryan. In considering this whole
matter of our relations with the Philip
pines it is most important to keep in mind
the fact that prior to the victories of the
American navy and army in the, Philip
pines. Spain possessed undisputed sover
eighty over those islands and actually
owned large share of the property which
had been led by Aguinaldo which ter
minated in 1897, was a movement for re-
FORMS not for independence. That move
ment had subsidized, and Aguinaldo and
hit 1- hoe 1aft no ic1o thair ate
filled with Spanish gold. shouting Long
live Spain.'' Our victories in the islands
gave us rights and responsibilities which
were enlarged and confirmed by the rati-
fication of the treaty of peace and the
payment of $20,000,000 to Spain. BY de-
stroying Spain's power in the islands we
became responsible to the world for the
safety OF lie person $50, and and property there.
recognize the rights of our government
and fired on our flag. From the moment
that assault was made all we have done
in the way of military operations in those
tenance of our dignity and honor and the
preservation of our rights and the defense
of our flag. If that is imperialism, then
let it be understood that the republican
party is not ashamed of it, In raising the
false cry of anti-imperialism in connec-
ton with President McKinley's policy in
the Philippines, and in giving encourage
ment to the treacherous Malays, who have
been shooting our brave soldiers from am
bush, Mr. Bryan has justly earned the Sc
verest condemnation Of his countrymen.
If 1T was right to acquire authority and
responsibility in those islands, it has been
right every hour since then to defend
those rights and respect those RESPONSE
bilities. II Mr.. Bryan simply advocated
the adoption of the treaty of peace, ex-
pecting it would bring embarrassment to
the party in power that act would stamp
him as the arch demagogue of the cen.
tury
If he honestly believed it was wise and
proper to ratify the treaty of peace and
pay Spain 900 for her rights in those
islands, his subsequent course is absolute
ly indefensible.. The only specific thing
him in criticism of the administration in
connection with the Philippines, was that
congress failed to pass a resolution assur-
ing the Fiipinos that we intended to do
right by them, etc.
Justice Will BE Done Filipinos.
The history of the republican party is
sufficient earnest that justice will be done
the people of those islands, and that ev-
erything possible for their education and
advancement will be done. Passing res
olutions for the benefit of a treacherous
dictator and few ambitious usurpers is
not one of the specialities of the repubi.
can party. Aguinaldo and his followers
attempted to whip this great nation into
recognition of his government. We have
fought back: What kind of govern
Nothing as dictatorial as the govern,
ment of Aguinaldo has happened in years
until Bryan took the Kansas City con-
vention by the neck and made them put
16 to in their platform twice.
Article x of the constitution promul-
gated by Aguinaldo reads as follows:
THE president of the government is
the personification Of the Philippine peo-
pie, and as such he cannot be held respon-
sible for any act whilst he holds that po-
sition. His position is irrevocable until
the revolution shall triumph, unless ex-
him to tender his resignation to congress,
in which case only, congress shall elect
whomsoever is esteemed most fitted"
Article XIV reads as follows:
1.-THE resolutions of congress shall not
be binding until they have received thS
sanction Of the president Of tho govern;
ment. When the said president shall con!
slider any resolution undesirable, or i'm.
practicable Prs Or perncious he shall stats
hts execution, and II congress still insists
ION the resolution, the said president can
out-Vote 1t on his own responsibility"
Is not that government without the con-
sent OF the governed? Aguinaldo pro-
claiming himself absolute dictator, to hold
piilty Tor any act, and having the power
OF OF absolute veto Of the legislative acts Of
the representatives of the people of Luz
ION. This is the kind of government OF
Whch the people of Luzon have thus far
peen deprived by the American policy
mere. mere. Is there any room for any fair
MINDED man to doubt that as soon as
peace . is restored, much better,
more liberal, more beneticent government
VIII pc lnaugurated in those islands under
the le,, authority of the United States?
u, me e;, certain road to the enlightenment