The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-08-17

pendence which might be forced from
Spain by a new treaty. In view OF the
criticism which my action aroused in
some quarters I take this occasion to
restate the reasons given at that time.
thought it safer to trust the American
people 60 give independence to the Fill
pinos than to trust the accomplishment
of that purpose to diplomacy with an I'M
friendly nation. The title of Spain being
extinguished we were at liberty to deal
with the Filipinos according to American
principles. The Bacon resolution, intro
dIced a month before hostilities broke
out at Manila, promised independence to
the Filiptnos on the same terms that it
was promised to the Cubans. supported
this resolution and believe that it's adop-
ton prior to the breaking out of hostil-
tiles would have prevented bloodshed,
and that it's adoption at any subsequent
time would have ended hostilities.
Must Expect Filipinos to Revolt.
If it is right for the United States to
hold the Philippine islands permanently
and initiate European empires in the gov
eminent of colonies the Republican party
ought to state it's position and defend 1T,
but it must expect the subject races to
protest against such policy and to resist
to the extent of their ability. The Fill
pinos do not need any encouragement
from Americans now living. Our whole
history has been an encouragement, not
only to the Filipinos but to all who are
denied voice in their own government.
If it were possible to obliterate every
word written or spoken in defense of the
principles set forth in the Declaration of
Independence war of conquest would
still leave its legacy of perpetual hatred,
for it was God himself who placed in
every human heart the love of liberty.
He never made race OF people so low In
the scale of civilization or intelligence
that it would welcome foreign master.
Mr.. Bryan charged the Republicans
with seeking to confuse expansion with
imperialism and quoted Jefferson to
show that conquest is un-American.
What the Democratic party objected to
was the Selling of distant territory and
the large standing army necessary to
support an imperial policy.
Future Status of the Filipino.
Mr.. Bryan said the Republican plat
form assumed that the Philippine
islands will be retained under Ameri-
can sovereignty and the people had
right to demand whether the Filipino
was to be citizen or subject. The
Democratic platform, he said, held that
the Filipinos could not become citizens
without endangering our civilization
and that they could not be made SUBJ
jects without endangering our form of
government Continuing, he said:
The Republican platform says that
''the largest measure of self-government
consistent with their welfare and our du-
ties shall be secured to them (the Filipi-
nos) by law" This is strange doctrine
for government which owes it's very ex-
istence to the men who offered their lives
as protest against government without
consent and taxation without representa-
ton The Republican party 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 elf-government or de-
MES them voice in their own affairs.
Our Title to the Islands.
Mr.. Bryan, referring to the payment
to Spain of. $50, 900. 900 for the islands,
said the United States were not inno-
cent purchasers, we'll knowing Spain
had no title. But even if she had we
could not, under the Constitution, Sc
cure title to people, either by force or
purchase. Regarding the Republican
argument of obligation before the world
to maintain a government, Mr.. Bryan
declared that no obligation was strong
enough to compel the abandonment of
our theory of government and the sub
stitution of doctrines against which
our whole national life has been pro-
test.
Mr.. Bryan declared that the Repub-
ican plea tkat this was an opportunity
to become world power was addressed
to the nations pride; the plea that our
commercial interests demanded our re-
tention of the Philippines appealed to
the nations pocketbook; that the spread
of Christianity would be facilitated by
a colonial policy was intended for the
church member, and the argument that
it would be dishonorable to retreat from
our position was plea for the partisan
support.
Democratic Philippine Policy.
In concluding, Mr.. Bryan outlined
the Democratic policy in the Philip
pines as follows:
There is an easy, honest, honorable so.
luton OF the Philippine question. 1t is
set forth in the Democratic platform and
it is submitted with confidence to the
American people. This plan 1 unreserv
eddy endorse If elected shall convene
congress in extraordinary session as
soon as I am inaugurated, and recon-
mend an immediate declaration of the
nations purpose-frst, to establish
stable form of government in the Philip
pine islands, just as weare now establish
ing stable lorm of government in the
island of Cuba; second, to give independ-
ence to the Filipinos, just as we have
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
protected the republics of Central and
South America, and are, by the Monroe
doctrine, pledged to protect Cuba.
Two Trainmen Killed.
EVANSVILLE, Wis, Aug. 1.-THE