The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-09
Circulation Statement.
Mr.. Br,an,s Indianapolis speech.

thrilled his great audience with an ADDRESS
worthy of the brain and heart of Patrick
Henry or Thomas Jefferson. Long will his
burning words live in the memory of those
who heard and Of those less fortunate, who
read them in printed columns.
Mr.. Bryan had already announced that
in his response to the notification commit
tee his remarks would be directed chiefly
TO the issue of Imperialism, which had
been made most prominent in his party's
platform, and rigidly did he adhere to his
text. Indeed, it may be said that his
speech, after few general illusions to
other issues, was entirely confined to this
subject Even the resolution Of the con-
vention expressing sympathy for the Beers
was referred to as illustrating his theme
rather than as a distinct topic of discus
siou.
After briefly referring to Republican in
consistency and vacillation respecting the
currency question, the trusts, and the ma
tional debt, he plunged into the issue of
predominant Importance The changed po-
sition of the Republican Administration
was here referred to and it was shown
how the Republican party which recently
condemned ''forcible annexation" as i'm
moral and criminal, now considers it i'm
moral and criminal to oppose foreible an
nsxation. They had evaded in their con-
vention a bold declaration of their pur-
poses in the Philippines. The patriotic ac-
ton Of the Democrats in Congress who sup
ported the declaration and maintenance Of
the war with Spain, though knowing that
their opponents would derive from it a
political advantage was commented on.
He explained his reasons for advocating
the ratification of the treaty with. Spain
whereby Porto Rico and the Philippines
were acquired He thought it better that
the American people should give independ-
ence to the Filipinos than to turn over its
accomplishment to the unfriendly Spanish
naiion- 1t was important that the war
should end, and it was safer to act on
the Treaty at once than 10 take the risk OF
further tedious negotiations and the pcssi-
bility Of new complications.
He favored giving the Fflipinos the
same freedom which We had guaranteed TO
Cuba, and, had the Bacon resolution de-
claring that purpose been passed. the
averted. The charge that delay in acting
On the treaty had given encouragement to
the Filipinos was "a cowardly evasion
TE.y had been encouraged in their aspira-
tons for independence by the whole his
tory OF our country from Patrick Henry
down to Lincoln. Lincoln had said that the
safety OF this nation was not in its fleets
and armies, but in the spirit of liberty
The malign influence Of Imperialism, not
on the Filipinos alone, but on our own
people, was dwelt on. The influence of this
nation had in the past been exerted in
behalf of peoples fighting for their indie
pendence. The cause of Greece had been
eloquently supported by Clay and Webster.
But the imperialists do not dare to express
sympathy with the struggling Beers
Mr.. Bryan made clear the distinction be-
tween imperialism and expansion, between
foreible annexation and the acquisition of
territory to be divided into States He
showed by the experience of colonizing ma
tons Of Europe that tropical colonies were
not suited for the habitation of the white
race. "a colonial policy" he said, means
that we shall send to the Philippine Isl
a few oficeholders, and an army large
enough to support the authority of a
small fraction of the people while they
rule The natives" A large standing army
would be necessary TO maintain this policy.
This, besides being a pecuniary burden.
would, with compulsory service, be con-
slant source Of irritation. The best de-
pendence Of the country was upon its vol
unteers men who fight when the country
needs fighters. and work when the country
needs workers.
The status OF the Filipino under the Re-
publican policy was next discussed. Was
he to be citizen or subject? Clearly
not a citizen. "A subject is possible only
in government resting upon force" A Re-
public. deriving its powers from the con-
sent of the governed, can have no subje Is.
The eyasive and fnsincere promise Of the
Republican platform to the Fitpinos OF
''tse largest measure of self government
coesistent with their welfare and our
duti g. was exposed. Sixteen months had
elapsed after the treaty was ratified but
instead of any self-gcvernment the Presl-
dents will was the only law. The indigna-
tion at the Porto Ricau bill and the diflcul- |
ties Of an alien government of the small |
friendly colony near our shores were con-
trasted with the difficulties attending a !
populous and unfriendiy colony seven thou |
sand miles distant. lis the sunlight OF full |
citizenship to be epsoyed by the people of |
the United States. and the twilight Of semi
citizenship endured by the people OF Porto |
Rico. while the thick darkness of perpetual |
vassalage covers the Philippines The |
Porto Rican tariff act was discussed, and |
the Republican contention that the protec- |
tion Of the Constitution did not extend to |
our recent acquisitions reviewed and COM
b1ted.
Mr.. Bryan was forelble In his demous:ra- |
tion OF the abstract right of people to gov |
ern themselves. And of the injustice of a !
stronger nation deprlving the weaker of |
this natural right. Jefferson and Franklin |
were quoted to the effect that plundering |
nation making an unjust war is Is much a |
ROLLER as the individual highwayman.
The arguments advanced in behalf Of the |
tmperialistic policy are suceinctly summa-
rized as; First, the desirabllity of cur
Government becoming world power, Sec
ond. commercial advantages; third. the
ejaculation Of the spread Of Chris tianity;