The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-08

give to the Filipinos the independence
which might be forced from Spain by a
new treaty.
In view of the criticism which my ac-
ton aroused in some quarters / take this
occasion to restate the reasons given at
that time. / thought it safer to trust the
American people to give independence to
the Ffiipinos than 10 trust the accom-
piishment of that purpose to diplomacy
with an unfriendiy nation Lincoln en-
bodied an argument in the question, when
he asked. Can aliens make treaties easier
than friends can make laws? / believe
that We are now in a better position to
wage a successful contes. against imperial
ism than We would have been had the
treaty been rejected.
with the treaty ratified, a clean cut is
sue is presented between government by
consent and government by force, and
lmperlalists must bear the responsibility
for all that happens until the question is
settled. If the treaty had been rejected
the opponents of Imperialism would hava
been held responsible for any international
complications which might have arisen be-
fore the ratification OF another treaty. But
whatever differences of opinion may have
existed To the best method of opposing
the colonial policy. there never was any
difference as to the great Importance of
the question and there is no difference now
as 10 the course to be pursued
The title of Spain being extinguished,
we were at liberty to deal with the Filipi-
nos according to American principles The
Bacon resolution. introduced a month be-
fore hostilfties broke out al Manila prom
lsed independence to the Filipinos on the
same terms that ii was promised TO the
Gubans. | supported this resolution and
believe that its adoption prior 70 the break
ba1Ye A
bloodshed. and that its adoption at any
subsequent time would have ended hostiIi-
ties.
If the treaty had been rejected, censid-
cradle time would have necessarily elapsed
before new treaty could have been agreed
upon and ratified and during that time the
question would have been agitating the
public mind If 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. it would have taken the ques-
lion 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
Republican Congress has refused TO take
any action whatever in the matter
When hestilities broke out at Manila
iSSpuDilSdu speakers ana fSSpuBIca4 eQl-
tors at once sought to lay the blame upon
those who had delayed the ratification OF
the treaty, and during the progress OF the
war. the same Republicans have accused
the opponents of Imperialism of giving en-
enlargement to the Fihpinos This is a
cowardy evasion of responsibility.
If 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 10 state its position and defend it;
but IL must expect the subject races to
protest against such a policy and TO resist
10 the extent Of heir ability. The Fill
ipinos do not need any encouragement from
Americans now living. Our whole history
has been an 7ncouTa cement, not only to the
Filipiaos but TO ali who are denied a voice
in their own government
If the Republicans are prepared to cen
sure all who have used language calcu-
lated to make the F'fIipinos hate foreign
domination, let them condemn the speech
Of Patrick Henry when he uttered that
passionate appeal. Give me liberty Or give
me DEATH He expressed sentiment
which still echoes in the hearts OF men.
Let them censure Jefferson. OF all the
statesmen Of history. none have used words
so offensive &c those who would hold their
fellows in political bondage Let them
eolonists must choose between liberty and
slavery Or. if the statute Of Limitations
has run against the sins OF Henry and JET
feTson and Washington, let them censure
Lincoln. whose Gettysburg speech will be
quoted in defence of popular government
when the present advocates OF force and
conquest are forgotten.
Truth Goes ON Forever.
Someone has said that a truth once
spoken can never be recalled. Tt is true
1t goes on and or, and no one can set a
limit to its widening influence. But
if it were possible TO obliterate evary word
written or spoken in defence of the princi-
pies set forth IN the Declaration of hide
pendence, war of conquest would still
leave its legacy Of perpetual hatred, for it
was God himself who placed IN every hu-s
man heart the love OF liberty He never
made race of peop.=- so low in the scale
of civilization or intelligence that it would
welcome q foreign master
Lincoln said that the safety of this IA
lion was not IN its fleets, its armies. or its
forts, but in the spirit which prizes lib
erty and the heritage Of all men, in all
lands everywhere and he warned his ceun-
trynen that they could not destroy this
spirit without printing the seeds of des-
pettsm at their own doors.
Those who would have this nation en-
ter upon a career of empire must con-
slider not only the effect of Imperialism on
the Filipinos, but they must also calculate
its effect upon our own nation. We can
not repudiate the principle of self govern
ment IN the Philippines without weakening
that principle here
Even now We are beginning to see the
influence Of Imperialism. Here
tnfore this nation has been prompt to ex-
press its sympathy with those who were
lighting for civil liberty. While our sphere
d activity has been limited to the Western
our sympathies have not been
bounded by the seas. We have felt it due
20 ourselves and to the world as well as
10 those who were struggling for the right
10 govern themselves, to proclaim the in
-erest which CUR people have, from the
late of their own independence felt in
every contest between human rights and
power Three-quartsrs of q cen
fury ago. when our nation was small, the
struggles of Greece aroused our people
md Webster and Clay gave eloquent ex-
preston to the universal desire for Grecian
IN 1896 all parties manifested a lively
interest in the success of the Cubans. but
low when a war is in progress in South
Africa, which must result in the extension
If the monarchical idea or in the triumph
If a republic, the advocates of imperialism
n this country dare not say a word in be-
iaIf of the Beers.
Sympathy for the Beers does not arise
rom any unfriendliness toward England
he american people are not unfreny7ly to-
ward the people Of any nation. This sym
oathy is due to the Fact that, as stated in
'or platform. we believe in the principle