The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1900-08-17


the Filionos than to trust the accom-
piishment Of that purpose 10 diplomacy |
with an unfrisndly nation. Lincoln en- |
bodied an argument In the question. when |
ne asked. Can aliens make treaties |
easier than friends can make laws?" I |
believe that we are now In "A better posi- |
ton 10 WAGE a successful contest against |
imperialism than we would have been
had the treaty been rejected. With the
treaty ratified. clean cut Issue IL pre-
scented between government by consent
and a government by force. and imperial
lists must bear the responsibility for all
that happens until the question Is settled.
III the treaty had been rejected. the OPP
ponents OF Imperialism would have been
held responsible for any international
complications which might have arisen
before the ratification OF another treaty.
But whatever differences OF opinion may
have existed as TO the best method OF OPP
posing the colonial policy. there never was
any difference as To the great importance
OF the question and there is no difference
now as TO the course to be pursued.
Promises to the FiiipinoA.
Tho title OF Spain being cxtinguished.
we were at liberty to deal with the Fill
pinos according TO American principles.
The Bacon resolution intro iuced month
before hostiities broke out at Manila.
promised independence to the Flllplnos on
the same terms that II was promised 10
the CuDans. ! supported this resolution
and believe that Its adoption prior 70 the
breaking out OF hostilities would have
prevented bloodshed. and that its adop-
ton at any subsequent time would have
ended hostilities.
II the treaty had been rejected. consid-
cradle time would have necessarily
elapsed before n new treaty could have
been agreed upon and ratified. and during
bo been
agitating the public mind. II the Bacon
resolution had been adopted by the senate
and carried out by the president either
at the time Of the ratification OF the
treaty or at any time afterwards. II would
have taken the question OF imperialism
out OF politics and left the American peo-
ole free TO deal with their domestic prob
lens But the resolution was defeated by
the vote OF the republican Vice president.
and from that time to this republican
congress has refused 10 take any action
whatever In the matter.
Cowardiy Accusations.
When hostilities broke out at Manila.
republican speakers and republican edit
ors at once sought to lay the blame upon
those who had delayed the ratincation OF
the treaty. and. during the progress OF
the war, the same republicans have &C
cused the opponents OF imperialism OF CIV
ing announcement to the Filipinos This
Is a cowardly evasion OF responsibility.
II II 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 its position and defend IL
| hut IL must expect the subject races &c
protest against such policy and TO resist
TO the extent OF their ability The Fllipinos
do not need any encouragement from Amer
leans now living. Our whole history has
been an encouragement. not only 10 ths
F'ilpinos but to all who are denied volc'
In their own government II the republic
ans are prepared 10 censure all VINO nave
used language calculated to make th'
Filiplnos hate foreign domination, let then
condemn the speech OF Patrick Hent$
When ne uttered that passionate appear
give me liberty or give me death, ~
expressed a sentiment which still echoe
in the hearts OF men. Let them censur'
Jefferson. OF all the statesmen OF history
none have used words SO offensive 10 mos
who would hold their fellows In pohtica
bondage. Let them censure washington
who declared that the colonists mus
choose between liberty and slavery. Oh
II the statute of limitations has run agains
the sins OF Henry and Jefferson and WASH
ington let them censure Lincoln. who's
Gettysburg speech will be quoted In cs
tense OF popular government when IN
present advocates OF force and concues
are forgotten.
some one has said that a truth ono
spoken can never be recalled. 1t Is tru'
1t goes on and on. and no one can sci
limit to its ever widening influence. bu
II II were possible to obliterate every wor
, written or spoken in defense OF the prir
, ciples set forth In the declaration OF II
dependence. a war of conquest would sti
; leave its legacy OF perpetual hatred, &c
IL was God Himself who placed In ever
: human heart the love OF liberty. lie ne't
, | made a race OF people so low In the sea
, OF civilization or intelligence that II woul
. welcome foreign master.
> Lincoln said that the safety or this natic
, was not IN its fleets. its armies or lis fort
4 but In the spirit which prizes liberty ar
the heritage OF all men. In all lands. ever,
where. and he warned his countrymen th'
they could not destroy this spirit witho'
(: planting the seeds OF despotism al the
: own doors.
Those who would have this nation 81
: ter upon a career OF empire must consid
O not only the effect OF Imperialism on y
: F'ilipinos. but they must also calculate
e effect upon our own nation. we canh
o repudate the principle OF selt-gover'
! ment in the Philippines without weaker
( ing that principle here.
n ParaIysing imperialism.
= Even now we are beginning to see q
paralyzing influence OF imperialism Her
l
= press its sympathy with those who we
!. fighting for civil liberty While our sphe
. of activity has been limited to the ives
:. ern hemisphere. our sympathies nave n
been bounded BY the seas. We nave II
IL due to ourselves and to the world.
. well as TO those who were struggling I
I. the right to govern themselves. TO pr
!. claim the interest which our people nav
= from the date of their own independent
!" felt in every contest between hum
- rights and arbitrary power. Three-oua
ters of a century ago, when our nati
!, was small. the struggles OF Gree
I. aroused our people. and Webster and Ci
- gave eloquent expression to the univers
desire for Grecian Independence. In Is
:. ali parties manifested a lively intert
- In the success OF the Cubans. but M
when a war Is In progress In South Al
ca which must result in the extension
the monarchial idea or In the triumph
IL = republic. the advocates OF tmperiali
lie n this country dare not say WORD
to behalf Of the Beers sympathy Tor
4. Boers does not arise from any unfrier
~ illness toward England. the American ~
ed nile are not unfriendly toward the peo
OF ~ any nation. This sympathy Is due
a, the fact that. as stated In our platior
D. we believe in the principle OF seli-gove
e. ment and reject, as did our foreiatne
g the claims OF monarchy II this nat
m .urrenders Its belief in the universal
~ ,,,,cation of the principles set s0rtn