Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-04
! REPUBLICAN, ARRANGEMENT
OF M'KINLEY.

publican newspaper and is supporting
Mr.. Mckinley. but 1t has not recanted
Its opposition to his Imperialistic pol
icy on that account, as have so many
of its Republican contemporaries that
last spring bitterly opposed the con-
summation of the Porto Rican out
rage. The Ledger sharply criticises
the following clause from the Presi-
dents Thanksgiving Proclamation,
given as u reason for National re-
joicing:
Our power and influence in the
cause Oh freedom and enlightenment
lands"
Commenting on this, the Ledger
says:
THE Presidents reference here is
Enthusiastically and unquestionably to
the extension OF the Governments
power and influence over the Philip
pines and Porto Rico. 1t may be re-
called that in raising the flag over
me iatter country on the memorable
occasion OF his taking possession in the
name of and for the United States.
General Miles. the supreme represent
awe or our Government there SOL
emnly pledged that the newly annex
cd peoples, annexed without their CON
sent and by force of arms against
Spain, should have and enjoy, under
their new rulers. all the political and
CIVIL rights, privileges and immunities
enjoyed by the sovereign citizens of
inns country. 1t Will similarly be re-
membered that President Mckinley
officially declared that it would be our
plain duty to fulfill that pledge, and
that 1T will probably not be forgotten
that subsequently he approved a Tariff
law which made the people of Porto
| Rico alien peoples, and that, although
the American flag still floats over
them, they are, one and all, denied
| practically every political right which
| General Miles promised them in and
| ior ms country. Is it reasonable to ask
| that all our people shall give thanks
for this Migrant breach of faith?''
This, be 1t observed, is not Demo-
cratic treason" but the criticism of
a Republican newspaper aimed at Re
publican policies. The Ledger con-
tinues that in the Philippines the con-
dition lis more serious" as there our
Government is extending it's power and
influence with sword and gun in the
cause of freedom and enlightenment"
having set up n government not only
without the consent of the governed.
but against their protest" In pur-
suance OF this policy it has kept an
! army of sixty-odd thousand soldiers
aheld, has expended about 5000 900. 900
and made a direful list of upwards of
5000 casualties, the larger part of
which contains the names of our dead
soldiers" The Ledger holds that on
this account thoughtful and sincere
men and women of America should not
be expected to sing paeans TO the ex-
tension of our power and influence in
the cause of freedom and enlighten-
ment. which is accomplished or at
| tempted by the slaughter of the Phil
ippine peoples end the sacrifice of
thousands of our own young men, our
sons and brothers."
AS il this were not enough to hang
the whole Ledger force, from editor to
office boy. for treason, this courageous
Republican newspaper concludes as fol-
lows
Neither should any good, loyal
| <NiicliCtllS pc eNpeCleu 10 approve the
| un-American compact with the Sultan
! of Sulu. since that instrument gives
the sanction of our Government and
the protection of our flag to those twin
evils of barbarism, human slavery and
polygamy."
For this clear statement of facts and
this merited rebulke to the small bus
mess of making a political document
of a proclamation of thanksgiving. the
Ledger is entitled to the approval of
fair minded men regardless OF party.
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