The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-08-10

the science of war. The government
which relies for its defense upon Its
citizens. is more likely to be just than
one which has at call large body OF
professional soldiers. A small stand
ing army and a we'll equipped and
well disciplined state militia are suff-
Client in ordinary times, and In an
emergency the nation should In the
future as in the past place its depend
ence upon the volunteers who come
from all occupations at their country's
call and return to productive labor
when their services are no longer re-
qulred-men who fight when the coun-
try needs fighters and work when the
country needs workers.
FUTURE STATUS OF THE FILIPINO.
What Are We to Do with Him Now Tint
We Have Him?
The Republican platform assumes
that the Philippine islands will be re-
tained under American sovereignty,
and we have right to demand Of the
Republican leaders discussion Of the
future status of the Filipino. Is he to
be a 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 to
| advocate such proposition. The Nc
Emery resolution, adopted by the SEN
ate Immediately after the ratification
of the treaty, expressly negatives this
idea. The Democratic platform de-
| scribes the situation when it says that
| the Filipinos cannot be citizens with
out endangering our civilization. Who
will dispute it? And what is the alter
native? If the Filipino Is not to be a
citizen, shall we make him a subject?
On that question the Democratic plat
form speaks with emphasis. 1t de-
clares that the Filipino cannot be a
subject without endangering our form
of government. A republic can have
no subjects.
| The Republican platform says that
"the largest measure of self-govern-
ment consistent with their welfare and
our duties shall be secured to them
(the Flllpinos) by law" This is a
strange doctrine for government
which owes its very existence to the
men who offered their lives as a pro-
test against government without con-
sent and taxation without representa-
ton. In what respect does the position
of the Republican party differ from the
position taken by the English govern
ment in 1776? Did not the English
government promise a good govern
ment to the colonists? Did
not the English government promise
that the cUlonists should have the larg-
est measure Of self-government con-
sistant with their welfare and English
duties? The Republican par
| ty has accepted the European idea and
planted itself upon ground taken by
George III. and by every ruler who
distrusts the capacity of the people for
self-gOvernment or denies them voice
| In thir own affairs.
| The Republican platform promises
that some measure of self-government
is to be given to the Filipinos by law;
but. even this pledge Is not fulfilled.
Why does the Republican
party hesitate to legislate upon the
| Philippine question? Because a law
would disclose the radical departure
from history and precedent contem-
plated by those who control the Re-
which greeted the Porto Rican bill was
an indication of what may be expected
when the American people are brought
face to face with legislation upon this
subject:
| If the Porto Ricans. who welcome
annexation, are to be denied the guar
| antee of our constitution, what Is to
be the lot Of the Filipinos, who resisted
our authority? II secret influences
| could compel disregard of our plain
duty toward friendly people, living
| near our shores, what treatment will
| those same influences provide for un-
| friendly people 1000 miles away? II,
| la this country where the people have
The right to vote, Republican leaders
| dare not take the side Of the people
| against the great mOnopolies which
have grown up within the last few
| years, how can they be trusted to pro-
tect the Filipinos from the corpora
tions which are waiting to exploit the
Islands?
Is the sunlight Of full citizenship to
be enjoyed by the people of the United
| States, and the twilight OF semi i-citizen-
| ship endured by the people of Porto
| Rico, while the thick darkness of per.
petual vassalage covers the Philip
uines?
The Porto Rico tariff law as.
serts the doctrine that the op-
Grafton of the constitution is confined
{" to the fOrty-five states. The Democratic
| party disputes this doctrine and de-
| nounces It as repugnant to both the
letter and spirit Of our organic law.
There is no place In our system OF gov.
ernment for the deposit Of arbitrary
and irresponsible power. .
! The territorial form Of government d