The Atlanta constitution., 1900-01-01

stan events: II can only strive 70 ao-
Just the results of events conforma-
bly, to some system or point OF view.
or policy or principle with which 1t
is familiar. Our responsibilities IN
the Philippines began when Dewey
broke and destroyed the power of Spain
In those islands. Mr.. Roosevelt will
tell YOU that he is the man who is re-
sponsible for the whole affair because
he assigned Dewey to command In the
Pacific; but Mr.. Roosevelt knew as lit
tie of what would happen as Dry-Dol-
lar Sullivan of the New York bar. We
sailed in freely enough, but we were
not free to sail away again. because
We owed some responsibility to the In
terests thereto the interests not only
of commerce, but of religion. Left TO
themselves, the followers OF Aguinai-
do would have looted Manila. sacked
the converts and murdered the friars.
That was their programme, as all
know.
When they we're foiled in these de-
signs they turned against the united
States troops, and made war on the
flag. Now. policies are made by events.
and there has been but one policy TO
pursue i'm those islands In view OF the
events that have occurred. So far as
we know. the only objection to the
policy made necessary by the situation
comes chiefly from disgruntled repub-
licans and disaffected democrats.
Now. what is the position of leading
democrats? Which one OF them all
advocates the abandonment OF our oD-
legations in the Philippines? Not one.
On June %. 1899, Mr.. Bryan wrote 10
the editor of The Constitution outiin-
ing his position. and in referring TO
the Bacon resolutions. said:
NY position IS that the United States
should at once give 10 the 'Filipinos as
surance OF ultimate independence. Just as
the president has given this assurance 10
the Cuhans. The Bacon resolution READS
as follows:
dIsn,sftion or intention to exercise sovereignty.
jurisdiction or control over said lslands. anu
assert their determination when stable ana IN
dependent government shall have been duiy
erected therein, entitled 60 recognition as such,
20 transfer 20 said government, upon terms
which shall lie reasonable anu Just an Iisn.s ~. u.
secured under the cession 10y Spain. ana 10
thereuron leave the government ana control OF
the island TO their people.
You will see that the independence Is
not to b.. granted until "a stable and m
laDendent government shall have been
erected there.n,' entitled TO recognition as
SUCH
l have gone farther than the resolution
and asserted that we should not only give
the FflIpinos self-government, but that
We should protect them from Interference
while they work out their own destiny. /
advocate treating the Tslipinos as the
president has promised 10 treat the Gu
bans.
There is not one word in that that
varies from the position OF The Con-
stitution. Speaking further on the
same line, Mr.. Bryan telegraphed The
Constitution on June 18th. in denial OF
reports which were being assiduously
circulated TO do him injury and which
sought to convey the idea that he IA
yored the immediate withdrawal of our
troops from the Philippines. His
telegram was published at that time,
and in II he stated emphatically:
II the administration had given TO the
FilipinOs the assurance OF Independence
which was given TO the Cubans there
would have been no blOodshed. IL that
assurance IS given now hostiiities Will
cease. No one proposes to withdraw the
soldiers until a stable government =
established. but II Will be easy to estab-
lish a stable government when Il IS known
that our occupation OF the Philippine
islands Is only temporary.
Early in September. Senator Jones.
chairman of the national democratic
committee, wrote to each member of
the national committee asking their
opinion as TO questions of party policy.
The editor OF The Constitution on the
9lst OF September answered the inquiry
as a national committeeman and in
reference TO the Philippine question,
said:
The marty should make declaration I'm
favor OF extending TO the Filipinos the
same guarantee OF ultimate Independence
that has been assured the CuDans. IL
should not, however, permit itself to be
n,aced. even constructively, I'm a copper
head attitude: and TO avoid this it should
make clear the fact that II is opposed to
withdrawing our troops from the Philip
pines until they have restored peace and
order.
IL should emphasize the fact that
definite declaration of policy by this gov
eminent. guaranteeing Filipino indepen-
dence would be the surest and quickest
way TO bring to an end the insurrection,
and permit us to proceed, uudisturbed. TO
the establishment OF an orderly govern
ment.
To this Senator Jones made the fol-
lowing reply. under date of October
9Cth. on his return from Europe:
Yorr letter is received and IT has been
read with pleasure. II seems TO me THAI
Won are emInently correct in what you
saw and i think that the party in tine
national convention VIII agree with you
In the main.
What has been the result Of all the
backing and filling on the part OF
certain element which is more repub-
Ifcan than democratic? 1t has had the
effect Of stiffening the backs of the un-
fortunates who are striking at the
hands OF those who would carry them
liberty and peace and prosperity. Here
are the prophetic words OF one of the
hrayeSt men I'm the army-a soldier