North Park union., 1900-08-24
BRYAN SETS FORTH THE
EVILS OF IMPERIALISM

was oIOOu& tue hummer OF tuO8f
who believed It better to ratify the
treaty and thus end the war. release
the volunteers. remove the excuse for
war expenditures and then give to the
FilipinOs the independence which
might be forced from Spain by q new
treaty.
In view Of the criticism which my
action aroused In some quarters. take
this occasion to restnte the reasons
given at that time. I thought 1t 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 unfriendly
nation. Lincoln embodied an arGu-
ment In the question when he asked:
can aliens make treaties easier than
friends cnn make lawsI" I believe that
we are now In better position to
wage successful contest against i'm
perialism than we would have been
had the treaty been rejected. With the
treaty ratified clean-cut issue liz pre-
sented between a government by con-
sent and n government by force, and
imperialists must bear the responsible
ity for all that happens until the ques-
tion is settled. II the treaty had been
rejected the opponents of Imperialism
would have been held responsible for
any international complications which
might have arisen before the ratifica-
tion of another treaty. But. whatever
differences of opinion may have exist
cd rs to the best method Of opposing n
colonial policy. there never was any
difference as to the great Importance
of the question and there is no differ
ence now as to the course to be pur-
sued
The title OF Spain being extinguished,
we were at liberty to deal with the FIJI.
ipinOs according to American princi-
pies. The Bacon resolution. introduced
month before hostilities broke out at
Manila. promised independence to the
Filipinos on the same terms that 1t was
promised to the Cubans. l supported
this resolution and believe that its
adoption prior to the breaking out of
hostilities would have prevented blood
shed. and Its adoption at any subse.
quent time would have ended hostilf-
ties.
lf the treaty Ind been rejected con-
siderable time would have necessarily
elapsed before new treaty could have
been agreed upon and ratified. and dur
Ing that time the question would have
been agitnting the public mind. II the
Bacon resolution had been adopted by
the Sennte and carried out by the Pres
ident. either at the time OF the ratifl-
cation OF the treaty. or at any time af-
terwards. 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 wee president. and
from thnt time to this Republican
Congress has refused to take any action
whatever In the matter.
When hostilities broke out Mt MANILA
Republican speakers and Republican
editors at once sought to lay the
blame upon those who had delayed the
ratification OF the treaty. and, during
the progress of the war. the same Re-
publicans have accused the opponents
OF Imperialism OF giving encourage
ment to the FilIpinos. This Is IL cow
ardly evasion of responsibility.
1f It is right for the United States to
hold the Philippine islands permanent
ly and initiate European empires In the
government Of colonies. the Republican
party ought to state Its position and
defend 1t. but 1t must expect the sub
1cct races to protest against such Il
policy and to resist to the extent Of
their ability. The FilipInos do not
need any encouragement from Ameri-
cans now living. Our whole history
Inns been an encouragement. not only
to the Filipinos. but to all who are de-
MED n voice In their own government.
III the Republicans nrc prepared to cen
sure all who have used language cal
culated to make the Filipinos hate for
cign domination. let them condemn the
speech OF Patrick Henry. When he
uttered that passionate appeal, GIVE
me liberty or give me DEATH" he ex-
pressed n sentiment which still echoes
In the hearts of men. Let them CEN
sure Jefferson: of all the statesmen OF
history, none have used words so of
fensive to those who would hold their
fellows In political bondage. Let them
'censure Washington. who declared that
the colOnists must choose between lib.
erty and slavery. Or. II the statute OF
limitations has run against the sins OF
Henry and Jefferson and Washington.
let them censure Lincoln. whose Get.
tysburg speech will bc quoted in de-
Tense OF popular government when the
present advocates OF force and con-
quest are forgotten.
Our opponents. conscious of the
weakness of their cause. seek to con.
fuse Imperialism with expansion. and
have even dared to claim Jefferson as
n supporter of theis policy. jefferson
spoke so freely and used language with
such precision that no one can be ig-
norant OF his views. On one occasion
he declared: III there he one principle
more deeply rooted thnn any other in
the mind of every American, II Ia that
we should have nothing to do with con-
quest" And again he said: Conquest
Is not In our principles; 1t is inconsist-
cnt with our government
The forcible annexation of territory
to he governed by arbitrary power
differs as much from the acquisition OF
territory to he built up into states as
n monarchy differs from democracy.
The Democratic party does not oppose
the area OF the Republic aud incorpor-
ates land which can he settled by
American citizens. or adds to our pop
ulatlon people who are willing to be-
come citizens and nre capable of dis
charging their duties ns such. The ac-
QuisitiOn Of the Louisiana territory.
Florida. Texas and other tracts which
have been secured from time to time.
enlarged the Republic and the constitu-
tiOn followed the flag Into the new ter
ritory. 1t Ia now proposed to seize up
on distant territory already more dense
ly populated than our own country,
and to force upon the people govern
ment for which there IL no warrant In
our constitution or our laws Even the