Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-08

q world power, Out II mas done
affect the politics Of the human race than
all the other nations of the world combined.
Because our Declaration of Independence
was promulgated others have been promul-
for liberty others havs, fought for it; be-
cause our CONSTITUTIONAL as adopted other
constitutions have h5eh adopted. The
growth of the principle of self government
shadowing political favf1 Of the nineteenth
century. 1t has made.tths nation conspicu-
us among the nations'an given it a place
enyaS Sothns na abs t has hs
the onward march Of sFhY idea I am not
willing that this nation shall cast aside the
omnipotent weapon Of truth to seize again
not exchange the glory Of this republic for
the glory of all the empires that have
arisen and fallen since time began.
But a war Of conquest Is as unwise as II
is unrighteous. harb6r and coaling sta
ton in the Philippines would answer every
trade and military necessity, and such a
concession could have been secured at any
time without difficulty.
1t Is not necessary to own people in order
to trade with them. We carry on trade to-
day with every part of the world, and our
commerce has expanded more rapidly than
Imperialism would be profitable to the
army contractors: 1t would be profitable to
the ship-owners who would carry live SOL
diers to the Philippines and bring dead SOL
diers back; 1t would be profitable to those
who would seize upon the franchises and
1t would be profitable to the officials whose
salaries would be fixed here and paid over
there; but to the farmer to the laborinp
man and to the vast majority of those en-
gagged In other occupations. 1t would bring
expenditure without return and risk with
out reward.
1t Is not strange therefore, that the labor
organizations have been quick to note the
approach Of these dangers and PROMPT TO
protest against both militarism and impe-
rialism.
The Religious Argument.
The pecuniary argument. though more eff
fective with certain classes Is not likely to
be used so often or presented with so much
emphasis as the religious argument If
what has been termed the "gun-powder Cos
per were urged against the Fiipinos only.
II would be a sufficient answer to say that
majority of the Filipinos are now mem
bers of one branch of the Christian church.
out the principle involved IL one of much
wider application and challenges serious
consideration.
The religious argument varies In positive
ness from passive belief that Proyidence
deiiVered the Fflipinos into our hands for
their good and our glory. to the exultation
OF the minister who said that we ought to
thrash the natives (F'ilipinos) until thew
Understood who we are" and that "eyery
buiiet sent. every cannon shot and every
nag waved. means Righteousness"
doctrine in,
one place unless we are willing to apply If
everywhere If there Is poison in the blood
or the hand it will ultimately reach the
heart. 1t Is equally true that forcible Chris
tianlty, II planted under the American flag
IN the far-away orient, will sooner or later
De transplanted upon American soil Jf
true Christianity consists in CARRYING ont in
our daily lives the teachings of Christ. who
wiz VIII, say that we are commanded to civilize
with dynamite and proseyte with the
sword He who would declare the divine
will must prove his authority. either nv
Holy writ or by evidence of a special dis
p pen sl; The command. go ye into all
the world and preach the, gospel to every
creature. has no Gatlfng gun attachment.
When Jesus visited a village Of Samaria
ana the people refusedao receive Him. some
p ane disclples suggested othat fire should
ne called down from heaven to avenge the
insult; but the Master rebuked them and
said: We know not what manner of spirit
We are of; for the Son of Man is not come
Suppose He had said: I'VE will thrash them
until they understand who we are" how
dInerent would have been the history of
Christianity. Compare. il you will. the
s"asgering; bullying, brutal doctrine Of i'm
perlailsm with the golden rule and the com
mandment Thou shalt, love thy neighbor
as myself
What Bryan Would Do.
Ihere Is an easy, honest, honorable solu-
Ton OF the Philippine question. It is set
1orth in the democratic platform and II is
submitted with confidence to the American
people This plan I unreservedly tndorse
III elected L shall convene Congress in ex-
traordinary session as soon as am in
auSura.ed, and recommend an immediate
declaration of the nations purpose first
10 establish stable form Of government
IN the Philippine Islands, Just as We are
now establishing stable form Of govern
ment in the Island of Cuba: second IN
give independence fha EHilinfpoo J,,et
we nave promised to give Independence to
the Cubans: third, to protect the Filipinos
from outside Interference while they work
out their destiny, just as we have pro-
tected the republics of Central and South
America. and are. by the Monroe doctrine.
pledged to protect Cuba. A European pro-
tectorate often results in the exploitation
OF the ward by the guardian An American
protectorate gives to the nation protected
the advantage Of strength, without
making 1t the victim of our greed. For
doctrine has been a shield to ueiphborjpr
republics. and yet 1t has imposed no pecu-
mar mary burden upon us. After the Filipinos
tiau aioed US IN the war against Spain. we
couiu not honorably turn them over to
their former masters; we could not leave
them to be the victims of the ambitious
designs OF the European nations, and since
we 90 not desire to make them a part of
us, or to hold them as subjects we pro-
pose that the only alternative namely Is to
give them Independence and guard them
"S'e iioieStdlion from without.
men our opponents are unable to de-
Tend their position by argument they fall
pack upon the assertion that 1t is destiny.
ana insist that we must submit to 1t, no
matter how much 1t violates moral pre-
cepts and our principles of government.
rms Is a complacent philosophy. 1t obliter-
ates the distinction between right and
wrong and makes individuals and nations
the helpless victims of circumstances
Destiny is the subterfuge of the inverte-
prate. who, lacking the courage to oppose
error seeks some plausible excuse for sup
porting It, Washington said that the des-
tiny OF the republican form of government
was deeply. If not finally. staked on the ex-
pertinent intrusted to the American peo-
pie How different Washington's defini-
ton OF destiny from the republican defini-
ton! The republicans say that this ma
ton Is In the hands Of destiny; Washington
believed that not only the destiny of our
own nation. but the destiny of the republi-
can form OF government throughout the
world. was intrusted to American hands
washington was right. The destiny of this
republic Is In the hands of its own people
willing to Accept Once.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Com
mittee: can never fully discharge the debt
of gratitude which I owe to my country
fNr hx l.,