The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-09
BRYAN'S SPEECH
OF ACCEPT lance
Continued from, First page.)

s4eSe from the conduct of war which,
IN the very nature of the case. must soon
end in complete victory, they We'd with
The Republicans IN the support which they
save 10 the President. When the war was
o,s.er and the Republican leaders began to
suggest the pfopriety of a colonial policy.
opposition at once manifested itself. When
1he President finally laid before the SEN
:ste treaty which recognized the inde-
.pendencc Of Cuba but provided for the
Session OF the Philippine Islands to the
Inited States, the menace of imperialism
sbecazne so apparent that many preferred
10 reject the treaty ana risk the Ills that
faisht follow, rather than take the cnance
aod correcting the errors Of the treaty by
Inc independent action OF this country
was among the number of those VINO
believed 1t better TO ratify the treaty ana
esld the war. release the volunteers, re-
move the excuse for war expenditures.
1ilo hen give the Fiipinos the independ-
ssAcs which might be forced from Spain
by a new treaty
An view of the criticism which my action |
aroused III Some quarters, l take this occa-
sion to restate the reasons given at that |
time / thought it safer 10 trust the /
american people to give independence TO
1he t1iipinos than TO trust the accomplish
snent OF that purpose to diplomacy with |
nn uniriendly nation. Lincoln embodied
an argument in the question, when ne
asked: Can aliens make treaties easier
than friends can make laws?', / believe
mat we are now in better position 10
wage a successful contest against impe-
Siahsm than We would have been had the
treaty been rejected. With, the treaty
ratified, a clean-cut issue is presented be-
tween q government by consent and a
government by force and imperialists
must bear the responsibility for all that
happens until the question is settled. If
the treaty had been rejected the opponents
OF Imperialism would have been response
BILE for any international conpiica tons
which might have arisen before the rati-
Ecation Of another treaty. But whatever
differences OF opinion may have existed
as to the best method of opposing the CO.
aonfal policy. there never was any differ
ence as 10 The great Importance of the
question. and there is no difference now
as to the course to be pursued.
The title Of Spain beng extinguished.
we We're at liberty TO deal with the Fill
pinos according 10 American principles.
The Bacon resolution, introduced month
before hostlities broke ont al Manila,
promised Independence to the Filipinos on
the same terms that it was promised to
!, the Cuhans ] supported this resolution.
and believe its adoption prior to the brea k
ing out of hostilities would have prevented
elloodsheG. and that its adoption at any
subsequent time would have ended hostil-
titles.
II the treaty had been rejected, consid-
cradle time would have necessarily clap
Sed before a new treaty could have been
agreed upon and ratified, and during that
time the question would have been agi-
tatlng the public mind. If the Bacon res
olution had been adopted by the Senate
and carried out by the President either at
the time of the ratification of the treaty
or al any time afterwards, il would have
taken the question of imperialism out of
politics and left the American people free
to deal with their domestic problems. But
the resolution was defeated by the vote of
The Republican Vice-President. and from
that time to- this a Republican Congress
has refused to take any action whatever
In the matter.
CawardIy Evasion.
When hosulities broke out at Manila,
Republican speakers and Republican edi-
tors a once sought to Ivy the blame upon
those who had delayed the ratification of
she treaty. and, during the progress Of
the war, the same Republicans have ac-
cused the opponents of imperialism. of
giving encouragement to the Filipinos.
This is a cowardly evasion of response
e.Aty
II lit Is right for the United Suites to
hold the Philippine Islands permanently,
and Initiate European empires in the
government of the colonies, the Repub-
aican party ought 10 state It's position ana
defent It but il must expect the subject
races to protest against such i policy and
TO resist.to the extent of their ability Inc
d'ilip!ncs 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 oN. a government.
If the Republicans are prepared to cen
sure all who have used language calcu-
arted TO make the Filipnos hate foreign
let them condemn the speech
of Patrick Henry. When he uttered lha'
g,ass:onate appeal Give me liberty OF
give me DEATH he expressed a sentiment
which still echoes in the hearts OF men
let them censure Jefferson; OF an tie
statesmen Of history, none nave useu
words so offensive to those VINO Wo"iu
mold their fellows in political pohoase'
Let them censure WASH hS'oh' "to
rlared that the colonists must choose pc
tween liberty and slavery. Or. II the
statute of limitations has run against
the sins of Henry and Jefferson ah"
Washington, let them censure i-ihcoii'
WHOSE Gettysburg speech will be auoteu ~
defense of popular government, Wheii 'iie
present advocates OF force una tot'H'A
are forgotten. woe
Some one has said that a truth ohes
spoken can never be recaiiei. IL
Ii goes On and on. and no one can p,t
limit to Its Overwhelming influence pu
ST it were possible to obl1tefate ~
word written or spoken in defense VI ~.
principles set forth in the DeciaFaliol ,,I5
Independence, a war of conquest "out s
stin leave its legacy of perpetual hast -;
for it was God Himself who ptaceu -
every human heart the love OF hos, ~
He never made a race OF people 81 io
:n the scale Of civilization or ntei1seiiss
that it would welcome a foreign Inas.et'
Lincoln said that the safety OF 'his na-
ton was not IN its fleets. Its armies or 40
forts, but in the spirit which prizes hpef,s
and the heritage OF all men in all iaii's
everywhere: and he warned his country
hen that they could not destroy th1s si'ii-
Il without, planting the seeds OF neSpoiisiii
ut their own doors.
Those who would have this nation enter
,.pon a career of empire must CONSIDER nor
only the effect of imperialism on t.ie
but they must also calculate us
effect upon our own nation we callioe
cepudiatc the principle of sef-sove'h-
ment II the Philippines without weakeh-
ing that principle here.
Even now We are beginning TO see the
Earaiysing influence of Imperialism Here
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