Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-01-18

| uONeu WIFI tllc Slll VI PCPuCSy H"o 10
veaed it. AS the president himself is
responsible for every act upon which
authority in the Philippines is based, he
ought to be able to defend his course by
argument or else give conclusive proof OF
his inspiration.
The president dictated the terms OF the
treaty. Why did he provide independ-
ence for Cuba and for the cession OF the
Philippine Islands to the United States?
Why did lie promise independence to the
Cubans and only benevolent assimlla-
ton" to the Filipinos? Congress was in
session for nearly three months after the
treaty was signed. If he had desired the
independence of the Filipinos he could
have asked authority to promise it. But
instead of asking authority, the influence
OF the administration was used to defeat
the Bacon resolution.
According to the resolution Of interven'
ton, the people Of Cuba "are and OF right
ought to be free;" according to the presi-
dents theory, the Filipinos are and Of
right ought to be subjects. When did
Providence point out this distinction be-
tween the rights OF the Cubans and the
rights Of the Filipinos?
| Must we hold the Philippine Islands
permanently because Dewey destroyed a
Spanish feet at Manila? Schley de-
stroyed Spanish feet at Santiago, and
yet the president promised the Cubans
indie pendence. Must we remain perma-
nently in the Philippines because Ameri'
can blood was shed there? American
blood was shed at San Juan Hill and at
FL Caney, and yet the president prom
Used independents, to the Cubans.
Must we hold the Philippine Islands
permanently because the American flag
has been raised over them? The Ameri-
can flag was raised over Havana the lst
OF January last, and yet the president
has promised to haul it down as coon as
the flag of Cuban republic is ready to
rise in it's place. Must we hold the Phil
ippine Islands permanently because the
people are not capable Of enforcement
Admiral Dewey, in communicating with
our government, asserted that the Fill
pinos are far more capable OF self-gov-
eminent than the Cubans, and yet the
president has promised independence to
the Cubans.
Clay, III defending the right Of the peo'
pie Of South America to self.government,
administered telling blow to the doc
trine that God made few to exercise
authority and the rest to be servants to
the few. He said:
at is the doctrine of thrones that man
is too ignorant to govern himself. Iheii
partisans assert his incapacity in refer
ence to all nations. II they cannot COM
inand universal assent to the proposition
, it is then remandcd to particular nations
and our pride and our presumption toe
|, often make converts OF US. contend
that it is TO arraign the dispositions o.
Providence Himself to suppose that M
has created beings incapable OF govern
ing themselves and to be trampled ON by
kings. Self-government is the natura
government OF man."
After more than century OF contentio'
for the rights Of man, our nation, unde
the leadership Of the republican party, i
: asked to turn its face back toward tn
barbarous doctrine that might make
right.
The president says that 1t does not seen
. desirable for him to recommend at thi
. time a "specific and final form Of govern
ment for the Philippine Islands," He
I however, describes in detail the govern
!. ment established in the island Of Negro
t says that it is a notable beginning an
3 points to 1t as being deserving Of specia
; consideration. He says that the peopl
: Of that island adopted constitution looH