Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-09
BRYAN AND
STEVENSON NOTIFIED
Continued from Page I.

Nlueu lOT INC CeSSiOn OF the Pnlllpplne
Islands to the United States, the men,
ace of Imperialism became so appa-
rent that many preferred to reject the
treaty and risk the ills that might fol-
low rather than take the chance of
correcting the errors of the treaty by
the independent action of the country.
THE TREATY WITH SPAIN.
was among the number of those
who believed it better to ratify the
treaty and end the war, release the
volunteers, remove the excuse for war
expenditures. and then give to the Fill
ipinos the independence which might
be forced from Spain by a new treaty.
In view OF the criticism which my
action aroused in some quarters. l take
this occasion to rc-State the reasons
given at that time. 1 thought it safer
to trust the American people to give
independence to the Filipinos than to
trust the accomplishment of that pur-
pose to diplomacy with an unfriendiy
nation. Lincoln embodied an argument
in the question, when he asked, Can
aliens make treaties easier than friends
can make laws?" L believe that we
are now in a better position TO wage
successful contest against imperialism
than we would have been had the
treaty been rejected. With the treaty
ratified, a clean-out issue is presented
between government by consent ana
a government by force, and imperial
all that happens until the question is
settled. If the treaty had been re-
jectCd, the opponents of imperialism
would have been held responsible for
any international complications which
might have arisen before the ratifica-
ton of another treaty. But whatever
differences of opinion may bave exist
ed as to the best method of opposing
the colonial policy. there never was
any difference as to the great inn
portance OF the question, and there is
no difference now as to the course to
be pursued.
The title of Spain being eXtinguished.
we We're at liberty to deal with the Fill
pinos according to American principles.
The Bacon resolution, introduced n
month before hostilitics broke out at
Manila. promised independence TO the
Filipinos on the same terms that II was
promised to the Cubans. | supported
this resolution and believe that it's
adoption prior to the breaking out of
hostilities would have prevented blood
shed. and that Its adoption at any sub
sequent time would have ended hostili-
ties.
If the treaty had been rejected. con-
siderable time would have necessarily
elapsed before n new treaty could have
been agreed upon and ratified. and dur
ing that time the question would have
been aEitating the public mind. If the
Bacon resolution had been adopted by
the Senate and carried out by the
President either at the time of the
ratification of the treaty or at any time
afterwards, II would have taken the
question of imperialism out of politics
and left the American people free to
deal with their domestic problems. But
the resolution was defeated by the vote
of the Republican Vice President. and
from that time To this a Republican
Congress has refused To take any action
whatever in the matter.
When hostilitics broke out at Manila.
Republican speakers and Republican
editors at once sought to lay the blame
upon those who had DELAYED the rati0-
cation of the treaty, and during the
progress of the war the same Republic
cans have accused the opponents of
Imperialism of giving cncoura cement
to the Filipinos. This Is a cowardly
evasion of responsibility.
OUR PLAIN QUAY.
IF 1t is right for the United states to
hold the Philippine Islands permanent
iy ana initiate the European empires
In the government Of the colonies the
Republican party ought to state It's po-
sition and defend ii, put 1t must ex-
pect the subject races to protest
against such policy and to resist to
the extent of their ability. The Fill
rinos do not need any encouragement
from Americans now living. Our
whole history has been an encourage
ment. not only 10 the F'ilipinos, but
to all who are denied Il voice in their
own government. If the Republicans
are prepared to censure all who have
used language calculated to make Fill
ipinos hate foreign domination. let
them condemn the speech of Patrick
Henry When he uttered that passion
ate appeal. Give me liberty or give
me death" he expressed sentiment
which still echoes in the hearts OF men.
Let them censure jefferson; of all the
statesmen of history, none have used
words so offensive to those who would
hold their fellows in political bondage.
Let them censure Washington, who de-
clarcd That the colonies must choose
between liberty and slavery. Or. II the
Statute of Limitations has run against
the sins of Henry and jefferson and
Washington. let them censure Lincoln.
whose Gettysburg speech will be
quoted in defense OF popular govern
ment when the present advocates of
force and conquest are forgotten.
Some one has said that truth once
spoken can never he recalled. 1t is
true. 1t goes on and on. and no one
can set Il limit to its ever widening in
nuence. But If II were possible to OBJ
literate every word written or spoken
in defense OF the principles set forth
In the Declaration of Independence. n
war of conquest would still leave its
legacy of perpetual hatred. for 1t was
God himself who placed in every hui
man heart the love of liberty. lie
never made race of people so low
in the scale of civilization or inteili-
gence that II would welcome foreign
master.
CAREER OF EMPIRE.
Lincoln said that the safety OF this
nation was not in its fleets. it's armies
or it's forts. but in the spirit which
prizes liberty and the heritage of all
men. in all lands. everywhere: and he
warned his countrymen that they
could not destroy this spirit without
planting the seeds of despotism at
their own doors