Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-25
AN ATTEMPT AT CRITICISM.

10 the Editor OF the Register:
Slr.-It is reasonably certain that
anything said politically in the cause
OF truth and yeracIty will have no eff
iect on those who vote only their pre-
JUDGES and are not open to conviction.
but are hide-bound 10 their party In
defiance OF all that is fair and inst.
say, 1t is almost useless to reply to
the half-truths and sophisms OF such.
because TEphraim is joined to IDOLS
and the best course 10 pursue is to "let
him alone"
But for the information and benefit
OF those who want the facts and who
will vote their convictions in the an
preaching elections, justice and fair
play demand that your editorial In
Mondays issue headed ATTEMPT to
Cruelty Free Speech, should be an
swered, especially that portion OF il
referring TO William Mckinley's un-
pardonaDle bargain with Spain" The
balance of the editorial is a TRADE.
IS lmpertinent because OF its falslfying
tenor, and needs no comment because
no sane reader Will be deceived thereby.
But the effort OF the editor to place
the blame OF the Philippine war upon
the present administration is Unfair
and unjust and cowardly, for the edi-
tor either knows or he does not know
that the Paris treaty OF peace was only
ratified by the Senate through the in
huenee OF Mr.. Bryan, which makes
him equally responsible with President
Mckinley, and the President is only
enforcing the terms OF that treaty
just as Mr.. Bryan, or any other Pres
ident, would be Obliged to do; and for
the Register TO argue otherwise is TO
well is 10 speak only for Bun
combe.'
As TO the reasonable utterances OF
the "aunties'' and their effect. no more
reliable and convincing testimony can
be offered than that OF General Law
ton Just before his death caused by q
Filipino bullet, quoted as follows:
1 wish to God that this whole Phil
ippine situation could be known TO ev-
cry one in America as | know it. If the
real history, inspiration and condi-
tons of this instruction, and the in
fluences. local and external, that now
encourage the enemy, as we'll as the ac-
tual possibilities of these islands and
peoples and their relations to this
great East could be understood at
home, we wou4u hear no more talk or
unjust Shooting of government" into
the Filipinos or hauling down our Tag
in the Philippines.
If the so-called anti-imperialists
would honestly ascertain the truth on
the ground, and not in distant America,
they whom l believe to be honest men
misinformed, would be convinced OF
the error of their statements and con-
illusions and OF the unfortunate effect
Of their publications here, If | am shot
by a Filipino bullet, it might as well
come from one of my own men, be-
cause | know from observation con-
firmed by captured prisoners that the
continuance of the fighting is chiefly
due to reports that are sent out from
America"
| am inclined to think you will not
publish this letter, but If you stand Tor
fair play and justice, | do not see how
you can refuse to publish At least that
portion which | have quoted from Gem
eral Lawton's letter. and which was
published in Saturdays Intelligencer,
and which have good reason to believe
was in part the inspiration of your
partisan editorial.
w. IL. Il.