The Delawarean., 1900-08-11

W
well disciplined state militia are sutfi-
cient 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 labCr
when their services are no longer re-
Quired-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 That
We Have Him?
The Republican platform assumes
that the Philippine islands will be re-
tanned under American sovereignty,
and we have n right to demand of the
Republican leaders a discussion of the
future status of the Filipino. Is he to
be a citizen or Il 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
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
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 Fllipinos) by law" This is
strange doctrine for a 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 1T76? Did not the English
government promise a good govern
ment to the cOlonists? Did
not the English government promise
that the colonists 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 a 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-
publican party The storm of protest
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? If secret influences
could compel a 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? If.
ia this country where the people have
the wight to vote, Republican leaders
| 4 FOL ha cid Of fl,n
against the great monopoles which
have grown up within the last few
years. how can they be trusted to pro-
tect the l'ilipnos 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, ana the twilight of semi-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 on
GRAFTON of the constitution is confined
to the forty-tive 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 is
temporary and preparatory, ana the
chief security a citizen of a territory
has is found in the fact that he enjoys
the same constitutional guarantees. and
is subject to the same general laws as
q citizen of state.
Throw away this security and his
rights will be violated and his inter
ssts sacrificed at the demand of those
who have political influence. This is
the evil of the colonial system, no mat
ter by what nation it is applied.
OUR TITLE TO THE ISLANDS.
Were the People Thrown in with the Ori
entail Real Estate?
What iS O1r fit1a fn fha Dhi1ipviY.