Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1900-02-09
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS
FACTS AND OPINIONS GATHERED
FROM CONTEMPORARIES.

ferring to me: "What he wants us to do |
can define in no other words than these He
wants us to skulk from our duty"
wish to put against this statement my
emphatic denial. What wanted the Ameri-
can people to do in the beginning, what
wanted them to do all along, what | want
them to do now, is to do in the Philippines
exactly what we have done, are doing, and
expect to do in Cuba. If we have skulked in
Cuba then Mr.. Quigg may be justified in say
ing that would skulk in the Philippines. We
have liberated both from Spain, and we have
had no thought-at least | have had no
thought-of giving either back to Spain.
should as soon give back a redeemed soul
to Satan as give back the people of the Philip
pine islands to the cruelty and tyranny of
Spain. Indeed since they got arms, an
army, and organization, | do not believe
it would have been in the power of Spain to
subdue them again. But the United States
never, in my judgment, should have allowed
her to make the attempt. Having delivered
them from Spain, we were bound in all honor
to protect their newly acquired liberty against
the ambition or greed of any other nation on
earth And we were equally bound to pro-
tect them against our own. We were bound
to protect them against our own. We were
bound to stand by them, defender and pro-
tector, until their new governments were es-
tabshed in freedom and in honor; until they
had made treaties with the powers of the
earth and were as secure in their national
independence as Switzerland is secure, as
Denmark is secure, Belgium is secure, as
san Domingo or Venezuela is secure.
Now, if this be policy of skulking from
duty fail to see it. Perhaps | am not so
familiar with the history or the vocabulary OF
liberty as Mr. Quigg Perhaps they UNDER
stand these things better in New York city
than we do in Massachusetts. Perhaps Mr..
Qugg is better counsellor than | am to the
representatives Of the county Of George Cabot,
# Glover, of Whittier of Nathan Dane, and
f Robert Rantoul. But, at any rate, the
policy which have stated seems to me the
rue American policy; the counsel which |
have fecbv recitcd Is the best have to give
We based our policy in regard to Cuba, did
we not, on the ground that it was the policy
f Righteousness and liberty? We did not
tempt the cupdity Of any millionaire or even
The honest desire for employment Of any
workman, by the argument that if we reduced
the people OF Cuba to our dominion We could
make money out Of her and she could not
help herself. In those days we were appeal
ing to the great, noble heart Of America. and
not to the breeches pocket.
differ from Mr.. Quigg both as to prnci-
PIES and as to facts. If we were bound in
honor and in righteousness, bound by the
history of our past, bound by the principles
and pledges of our people, to abstain from
depriving Cuba of the liberty we had given
her because it was right, we are in my judg-
ment, all the more bound to abstain from de-
prving the people of the Philippine islands of
,heir liberties because it is right.
If am right in affirming this as a matter
OF principle land | am little curious to see
who will stand up and dispute it on Massa-
chusetts soil, or who will speak any other
doctrine to the sons of ESSEX, then the ques-
sion becomes question of fact.
Are the people Of the Philippine islands as
we'll entitled to their freedom and ndepend-
ence as the people of Cuba?
Had they contributed as much to achieving
their independence as had the people of
Cuba?
Do they desire their independence as do the
people of Cuba9
Are they fit to govern themselves as are the
people of Cubao
Have they forfeited their right to their in
dependence by any misconduct, such as at
|, lacking the army Of the United States want
only and without provoc 1tion?
Now, the facts which enable US to answer
all these questions, about which the people
have been so much msled during the last
summer, come to US at length from the re-
ports of the commanders of our army and
navy in the Philippine islands. have two
witnesses to call, General Otis and Admiral
Dewey. While may not adopt all their con-
illusions as to policy and it is not the special
business OF soldiers and sailors to determine
the policies Of the country, | have no desire
to 90 beyond them and the men for whom
hey vouch in the matter Of fact.
But before citing the evidence let me state
what ! would do today, as have stated what
desired to do before the war broke out
The Philippine armies are scattered. General
I.awton said they were the bravest men he
had ever seen. But they have been beaten in
every battle. Aguinaldo is fugitive and in
concealment. They are in the condition that
Spain was in after Napoleon had overhrown
her navies and driven out her king at the be-
ginning of the Peninsular war with
Host as huge and strong as ecr dehed
Their God and placed their trust in human pride"
Whether they will repeat the history of
Spain, dispensing like foam when they were
attacked, coming together again like the
thunder-cloud and in the end wear out the
patience of the conqueror, it is not worth
while to speculate. 1t is not from any fear of
foeman, powerful or insignificant, that the
american people are to determine their duty.
If the thing be right they mean to do it. If it
he wrong they will not do it.
would send General Wood or General
Miles or Admiral Dewey to Luzon. | would
have him gather about him cabinet Of the