The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-09

ito And what is the alternative? If the
Filipino is not TO be a citizen, shall we
make him a subject? On that question
the Democratic platform speaks with en-
phass It declares that the Filipino can
not be a subject without endangering our
form of government. a republic can have
no subjects A subject is possible only
in a government resting upon force lie
is unknown in a government deriving It's
just powers from the consent OF the gov
erned.
The Republican platform says that ''the
largest measure of Self-goyernment con-
sistent with their welfare and our duties
shall be secured to them (the Fiilpinos)
by law" This is a strange doctrine Tor
a government which owes its very eXis-
tence to the men who offered their ives
as a protest against government without
consent 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 17I6? Did not the English gov
eminent promise d good government 10
the colonists? What king ever promised
bad government to his people? Did rot
the English government promise that the
coonists should have the largest measure
OF sef-government consistent with their
welfare and English duties? Did not the
Spanish government promise to give 'he
Cubans the largest measure OF seii-soN
eminent consistent with theif "etidlt anu
Spanish duties?
The whole difference between mon
archy and a repu ic may be summed'u up
in one sentence: In q monarchy the KING
gives to the people what he believes to be
q good governm ent; in a republic, the
people secure for themselves what th2y
believe to be good government. The
Republican party has accepted the Eu-
ropean idea and planted Itself upon the
ground taken by George III. and by every
ruler who distrusts the capacity OF the
peope for self-sovernmeDt or denies them
a voice in their own affairs.
The Republican platform promises that
some measure OF seif-Goyernment is to be
given to the Fi.ipinos-by law: but. even
this pledge is not fulfilled Nearly SIX
teen months elapsed after the ratification
of til treaty before The adjournment OF Con-
gress last June, and yet no law was passed
dealing with the Philippine situation Inc
will of the President has been tins on'y
law in the Philippine Islands wherever tn:
American authority extends. Why does me
Republican party hesitate to leSislate up
on the Philippine question? Because a law
would disclose the radical departure from
history and precedent contemplated py
those who control the Republican party
The storm Of protest which greeted me
Porto Rican bill was an indication OIL what
may be expected when the American peo-
ton upon this subject. If the Porto III
cans. vino welcome annexation, are to be
denied the guarantees of our Constitution,
what is to be the lot Of the FiHpnoS, VINO
resisted our authority? II secret lnf4u-
ences could compel disregard OF our
plain duty toward friendly people hFlhS
near our shores what treatment viii those
same influences provide FOR unfriendlE
people 1909 miles away? If in this coun-
try where the people have the right 70
vote, Republican leaders dare not take the
side Of the people against the great mo-
nopolies which have grown up WITHIN
The .ast few years, how can they be trust
ed to protect the f1ltplnos from me cor
porations which are waiting 10 exploit the
islands?
Porto Isicnu Tariff.
Is the sunlight of full citizenship to be
endured by the the people Of T. ;: ana
the twilight of such citizenship endured
by the people of Porto Rico, while the
thick darkness of perpetual NasalaSe coy
ers the Philippines? The Porto RICO tar
if law asser;s the doctrine that the opeT-
alton of the Constitution IS confined TO me
forty-fiva States The Democratic par
~ disputes this doctrine and denounces It
as repugnant 10 both the letter and splr-
ii or our organic law. There IS no place III
Gus system of government for the deposit
Of arbitrary and irresponsible power mat
the leaders of great party should clam
Tor any President CT Congress the flsht 70
treat millions of people as mere posses
Sions' and deal with them unrestrained by
The Constitution or the Bill OF Rights shows
how far we have already departed from the
ancient landmarks, and indicates what
may be expected if this nation deliberately
enters upon a career OF empire. me terri
torial form OF government is temporary ana
preparatory and the chief security
SC Tn1lr in
fact yhat he enjoys the same constitutional
guarantees and is subject 10 the same gen
araI reign of the despot. / am not wiling to
believe that an all-wise and all-Iovlng COD
created the Filipnos and then lett them
thousands of Years helpless until the Is
lands attracted the attention OF European
nations.
Republicans ask: Shall we nual down
the flag that floats over cur dead IN the
PhiliLpires?" The same question might
have been asked when the American nag
floated over Chapultepec and waved over
the dead who fell there; hut, the tourist
who visits the City of Mexico finds there
a national cemetery owned by the Uni
ted States and ca1ed for by an American
citizen Our Nag still floats over OFT
dead, but when the treaty vita Mexico
was signed American authority WITH
drew to the Rio Grande, and | venture
the opinion that during the last fifty
years the people OF Mexico have made
more progress under the stimulus of in
dependence and selfgoVernment than
they would have made under a CARPET
bag government held in place by bayonets
The United States and Mexico, the appli-
cation Of those laws to nations. it may
not be out Of place to quote the opinion
of others. jefferson. than whom thr-e is
no higher political authority, said:
Il know of but enc code OF morality for
men, whether acting singly or collectively"
Franklin. whose learning. wisdom ana
virtue are a part OF the priceless legacy
begueathed to us from the revolutionary
days, expressed the same idea, in even
stronger language when he said:
Justice is as strictly due between neigh
Dor nations as between neighbor citl-
zens. y hishwayman is as much a rob
Der when ne plumbers in a gang as when
singly, and the nation that makes an
unjust war is only a great gang
Men may dare to do in crowds what they
would not dare to do as individuals. but
the moral character of an act is not deter
mined by the number of those who join
i'll it. Fore can defend a right but force
has never created a rlEnt. If it was true,
as declared III the rcsru luton Of interven-
rol. that he CT ban. ''a.e and of right