The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-03-03
VOL. XXXV.--NO. 19.

those islands are rich and will be foothold
for our Chinese trade. and that, therefore, we
must have them. Indeed in the souDdfill So
phomoraton of the young Senator from Indi-
ana recently delivered in the Senate. pic-
ture of the wealth of the Philippine Islands
was unroled gorgeous enough to make
the month of the most virtuous pirate water
He looked down with the loftiest pity upon
every one who would be so blind as not to
lay hold of that wealth if he had a chance;
and to make sure that our chance should be
fully used, he proposed a system of govern
ment for the Philippines so absolutely despotic
"a despotism so entirely undiluted with any
American idea of human rights-that it would
more than satisfy the sternest Russian auto
crat. No more brutal appeal to sordid greed.
no appeal so utterly hostile to the vital prin-
ciples OF our free institutions, expressed in the
most high sounding verbiage of American
patriotism, has ever been addressed to our
people. Ii this be the spirit animating the
youth OF America, then the great American
Republic Will soon cease TO be an encourage
ment to the progress of political liberty and
become warning example to all the world.
PUERTO RICAN POLICY.
Listen to the wall of misery and despair
coming from the Puerto Ricans, who were
promised liberty aud happiness under the
American flag Do not now powerful inter-
ests demand a policy which means to them
poverty ana oppression? Now, was there
ever sound reason why we should have want
ed that possession, unless it were to get a ma
val station which we might easily have had on
some other island without much population?
May we not well ask whether il would not be
much better for our own comfort, as well as
for the Puerto Rlcans to let them 90 free and
help them to form a confederation of the An
TILES with Cuba, Hayli and San Domingo r'
AMERICA SHOULD RENoUNCR HER coNoUEsTs.
Mr.Schurz did not believe any foreign now
er would dare to interfere with an indenen-
dent Filipino government, if the United States
should forbid 1t. He considered that phan
tom danger he said ''If the American
people, even after the monstrous alterations
OF their Government, repudiate the policy of
criminal aggression and renounce their con
quests; II they declare that their profession
OF unselhsh motive and generous purpose in
the Spanish war was sincere, and must be
maintained at any cost-what then /? They
will forever put to shame the detractors of the
American democracy. They will show that
although the powers of their Government NAV
some time be put to base uses by men of mis-
guided ambition, the American people are
honest and can be counted upon to resist even
the strongest OF temptations, the intoxieation
oi victory, and to submit even to the mortify-
ing ordeal of a confession of wrong done in
their name, in order that right, Justice and
liberty may prevail. Such an attitude will
secure 10 the American people the confidence
OF mankind US it has never been enjoyed by
any nation ~ the world 5 history, and with il
the fruits OF that confidence. Our democratic
institutions viii issue from the trial with a
lusire they never had before. By so splendid
a proofof good faith this Republic viii achieve
position of unexampled moral grandeur and
influence. Il will naturally become the trust
ed umpire between contending States, peace.
able arbiter Of the worlds quarrels. It viii
not only be a great world power by its strength,
but the greatest Of all existing world powers
by lis moral prestige.
Let the imperialists not delude themselves.
IT the present Congress fails to undo the
great wrong that has been done, appeal viii
be taken TO the people. And it will be kept
there, and. If need be, renewed year in and
year out.