Washington sentinel., 1900-08-04
Republic or Despotism.

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There is no practical distinction |
to be drawn between the Beers and !
the Filipinos in their struggle for
independence with the Britons and
Americans, in the opinion OF Hon.
John J. Lentz, OF Ohio. Both
peoples, he says, are lighting for
the recognition Of the great princi-
pie set forth in the Declaration Of
independence, viz, the right OF
self government. Yet this Admin
istration is giving its full moral
support to and secretly using the
Government machinery in aid OF
Great Britain against the Dutch
farmers OF South Africa, even as it
is using the army and navy Of the
United States to crush out liberty
in the Philippines. Is It right for
the Beers to be free from the Eng
lish and the Filipinos to be seTis OF
an American colonial empire2
Why do we condemn in Great
Britain what we extol at homer No
honest American can pray tor the
success OF the Beers and hope for
the success Of the Administrations
policy in the Orient, II our Ad-
minlstra'ion's policy is right, then
the English war in South Africa is
right. There is really no ground
except that Of narrow partisanship
upon which to defend the Admin
istration and condemn our ally and
co-parcener in aggression, Eng.
land.
The truth is that neither the
English or American people have
ever been consulted about the acts
OF greed, oppression and criminal
oppression which both Govern
ments have committed. The opin
ions OF the people have been too
often biased by the craft Of political
tricksters and their patriotism par
alyzed by partisanism, their moral
ity rendered morbid by money and
their love OF liberty clouded by the
license ofimperial tavoritism, And
to what end? That the few may rob
and enslave the many.
Is this the onward march Of pro-
gress, the planting OF the divine
principle of liberty in benighted
lands7 If so, what is idolatry, des.
potism and "the mark Of the
Beast7" Is it not perfectly clear
that the motive behind militarism
and conquest was "begotten in sin
and brought forth in iniquity2"
Who are these who dare to justify
their bloody deeds behind The pill
Tered expressions Of truth and JUS
tice7 How do they justify the
horrors they commit I'VE war
for the benefit of those we extermi-
nate" they hvpocritically declare,
IN order that the fruits OF liberty
may be extended to those who
provitIentially escape our sword
and torch. This is the doctrine Of
civilization we bring to the Orient.
The continuation Of this policy
in the Philippines and Porto Rico
can have but one logical result
the destruction Of the American
Republic and the erection of some
form OF despotism in its place. A
republic anywhere is a menace to
despotism everywhere. The spirit
which governs and enlightens the
former is inimical to the existence
OF the latter, wherever located.
We must choose between the light
and liberty OF the one and the dark.
ness and degradation Of the other.
II is momentous decision which
the American people must make
next November and one which will
affect the future OF the whole world.
But there is no doubt OF the result,
because in such a crisis as this the
righteousness and probitV and love
Of liberty Of our countrymen can
be trusted to render a verdict for
which the world will give thanks
for centuries to come.