The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-08-09

there ls no warrant In our constitution
or our laws.
Even the argument that this earth
belongs 10 those who dare cultivate Il
and have the physical power 10 acquire
II cannot be invoked TO Justify the ap-
4 preparation Of the Philippine Islands
/ By the United States. n the islands
were uninhabifed American citizens
would not be willing 10 go there and TIN
/ the soil. The white race viii not live
/ 50 near the equator Other nations
have tried TO cOlOnize IN the same lati-
| tude The Netherlands have controlled
Java for three hundred years and yet
\ today there are less than 5000 people
Of European birth scattered among Is,
100000 natives. After century and
half of English domination In India,
less than one twentisth Of one per cent
Of the people Of India are OF English
birth and II requires an army of 7G,-
900 British soldiers 10 take care Of the
tax collectors. Spain has asserted title
to the Philippine islands for three cen
turtles and yet when our feet entered
Manila bay there were less than 10000
Spaniards residing in tire Philippines.
"A colonial policy means that we
shall send 10 the Philippines a few trad
crs. few task masters and a few Office
| holders. and an army large enough to
support the authority Of small frac-
tiOn Of the people while they rule the
natives. II we have an imperial policy
we must have large standing army
as its natural and necessary compile
ment The spirit which will Justify the
forcible annexation Of the Philippine
islands. VIII Justify the seizure Of other
Islands and the domination Of other
people. and with wars Of conquest we
can expect certain II not rapid growth
Of our military establishment.
That a large permanent Increase in
our regular army Is intended by the
| Republican leaders Is not a mere mat
ter Of conjecture. but a matter Of fact.
! In his message Of December 5, 1898, the
president asked for authority 70 in
crease the standing army 70 100000. In
1856 the army contained about 25.000
men. Within two years the president
asked for four times that many and a
Republican house OF representatives
compiled with the request after the
| Spanish treaty had been signed and
when not a hand was raised against
the United States in any part OF the
world. II such an army Is demanded
when an imperial policy Is contemplate
ed. but not openly avowed. what may
be expected II the people encourage
the Republican party by endorsing its
policy at the polls?
"A large standing army is not only
pecuniary burden to the people and.
II accompanied by compulsory service.
constant source of irritation, but Il
Is ever a menace to a Republican form
- l.. IL
snnification Of force. and militarism win
inevitably change the ideals Of the
people and turn the thoughts Of our
young men from the arts OF peace to
the science Of war. The government
which relies for its defense upon its
citizens is more likely to Be Just than
one which has at call a large body OF
professional soldiers. A small standing
army and a well equipped and well dis
clplined state militia are sufficient In
ordinary times. and in an emergency
the nation should In the future as in
the past pla e its dependence upon the
volunteers who come from all occupa-
tions at their country's call and return
to productive labor when their SER
vices are no longer required-men who
tions at their country's call and return
and work when the country needs
workers
The Republican platform assumes
that the Philippine Islands viii be re-
tanned under American sovereignty. and
We have a right to demand Of the
Republican leaders a discussion Of the
future status OF the Filipino. Is ne to
be a citizen OF subject? Are we
to bring into the body polite eight or
ten million Asiatics, so different from
US in race and history that amalga-
nation is impossible? Are they to
share with us in making the laws and
shaping the destiny Of this Nation? No
Republican of prominence has been
bold enough TO advocate such a propo-
sition. The McEnery resolution, adopt
ed by the senate Immediately after
the ratification Of the treaty, expressly
negatives this idea.
The Democratic platform describes
the situation when it says that the
Filipinos cannot be citizens without
endangering our civilization. Who viii
dispute it? And what is the alterna-
tive? If the Filipino is not to be a
citizen. shall We make him a subject?
On that question the Democratic plat
form speaks with emphasis. 1t de-
clares that the Filipino cannot be a
subject without endangering our form
Of government. A republic can have
no subjects. A subject is possible on
ly in government resting upon force
he is unknown in a government deriv-
ing its lust powers from the consent
of the governed.
The Republican platform says that
the largest measure Of self-government
consistent with their welfare and our
duties shall be secured to them (the
Filipinos, by law This is a strange
doctrine for government which owes
its very existence TO the men who Of
fered their lives as a protest against
government without consent and tax
alton without representation. In what
respect does the position of the Re
publican party differ from the position
taken by the English government in
1I16? Did not the English government
promise good government to the
colonists? What King ever promised
a bad government to his people? Did
not the English government promise
the colonists should have the largest
measure of self-government consistent
with their welfare and English duties?
Did not the Spanish government prom
Use to give TO the Cubans the largest
measure of self government consistent
with their welfare and Spanish duties?
THE whole difference between a
and republic may be sum-
med up in one sentence. In a mon |
archy the king gives to the people what !
he believes TO be a good government; |
in a republic. the people secure for |
themselves what they believe 20 be |
good government. The Republican par |
ty has adopted the European idea and |
planted itself upon ground taken by |
George III. and by every ruler who |
iistrusts the capacity Of the people for
self-government or denies them a voice |
IN their own affairs.
The Republican platform promises
hat some measure Of lf-government
5 to be given to the Filipinos by law;
,ut even this pledge is not fulfilled.
Nearly sixteen months elapsed after
he ratification of the treaty before
ne adjournment Of congress last June
I