The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-12
mighty force that the Republican party

dare not triIe with.
Let US examine very briefly some of the
facts in the case, and see il the DEM
ocra,s were warranted in their indictment
of the Republican party for its imperial
ism. making this the paramount issue
of The campaign. and II the evidence sup
ports the indictment. The want of space
will not permit me to discuss the facts,
which shall only state.
/. The Republican party is charged with
violating a fundamental doctrine Of our
Government by denying equal rights to
afl-speciai privileges to none. The history
OF its whole legislation has been in the in
tercst of a c,ass 10 the detriment of the
masses. Under the operations of its
tariff legislation. the consumer has been
robbed for the benefit Of the manufacturer,
trusts have been fosteled. moneyed
arlstocracy built up-exercisinG a corrupt
ing and controlling influence n the affairs
of Government--which is incident to, and
is doing ali in its powed to assist the Re-
publican party in the realization OF Its
iriperIaiistic tendencies.
In 1888 this Government undertook
war, professedly, IN behalf of humanity.
AS a result of that war Cuba was Aeer-
ated. and Il those in authority had been
true to our <Const4 tuition, the Declaration
OF Independence and our noble institutions,
the Porto Ricans would be enjoying the
blessings and protection Of our Constitu-
ton, and not the burdens and expressions
of an unconstitutional tariff and eXploIa-
ton at the hands Of INSCRIPTIONS advent
ul,ers under the patronage and protection
of q Republican Administration.
The conduct of the Administration in Its
dealings with the Fiitpinos has been sub
vers:ve of every principe upon which our
Government IS founded, and characterized
;,v the most shameless treachery 70 those
who were our allies in our contest with
Spain
our Supreme Court has decided that the
Declaration of independence Is the spirit
of our Government-the Constitution but
the form and letter.
Has Mr.. Mckinney. IN his dealings with
the Fiiipinos. observed the Constitutional
limitations upon the powers Of the ENecu-
tive, or the principle enunciated in the
Declaration of Independence? The Decla-
ration says that life, liberty and the pur-
suit OF happiness are amongst the NaAen-
able rights of men, and that Governments
derive their just powers from the consent
of the governed. Nj. Mckinley once said
that forclbIa annexation was criminal ag-
erosion, and was not to be thought OF.
To-day he is shooting down the Fi.ipinOs
for asserting the rights Of our DecIara-
ton and attempting to maintain the same
liberty for which our fathers; fought He
is governing these people outside OF our
Constitution, without the assistance OF
Congress, and IN defiance of the we'll es-
7abIished principles OF our Government.
The Republican platform assumes that the
Philippines Will be retained under Amert-
can sovereignty. The question is, what
wiz be the status of the people? Republ-
cans and Democrats, alike, agree mat
they cannot be citizens. Therefore. il the
islands are 10 be retained. as the RepubA-
cans assert, the people must be subJectS.
-.ay,y-.A a
ton. It launches Us upon colonial policy,
for which our Institutions are not adapted.
1t forces upon US abandonment of the Mon
roe doctrine 1t neceSsitates a. permanent
large standing army. which is menace
to free institutions. 1t Will inevitably in
vo.Va us in erltanSlinS Alliances ana the
troubles of thu old world, and il will soon
destroy the principles OF local selt-goV-
eminent at home, as it will necessitate the
centraIzatton OF our Government, and the
concentration of despotic power in the
hands OF the President to enable him TO
meet the emergencies that VIII constantly
arise out of our new situation and reia-
tons.
Senator Hoar, one Of the great luminn-
res Of the Republican party, seems to
think that the tendency of the present adj
n,inistration is towards imperialism He
warned them against it in a grent speech
in the Senate some time ago, in which he
said: Il believe that perseverance n I'll S
policy will be the abandonment of the
principles upon which our Government is
founded; that it will change our Govern
ment into an empire; that our methods of
legislation, of diplomacy, Of administra-
ton must hereafter be those Which be-
long TO empires, and not those which be-
long to republics.
The effects of the policy of the Republi-
can party are beginning to manifest them
selves already. We believe the Republic
can administration already has a secret
understanding with England. II such
treaty exists it s a usurpat on of power,
because it is only by the advice and con-
sent of the Senate that treaties can be
entered into. There was IL time when
this nation was ever ready to exercise
moral Intervention. by the expression of
sympathy, whenever a people were strug-
Cling for liberty. Has there been the
faintest moral Intervention in behalf of
the Beers, who are fighting against
monarchy and for the preservation of
Their lberties2 You say the treaty with
Spain made the Philippines just much
a part of the United States as is Virginia.
II this be so, are not the people of the
Philippines entitle to all the guarantees of
the Constitution, and are they not citi-
Zens of the United States? Can we say
that the Republican administration mas
extended to them the guarantees of the
Constitution or governed them other than
a conquered and subject people?
In the light of these facts, Mr.. Editor,
I think It high time that The Times was
IA sing its voice TO the throne of grace in
behalf of those IN authority that their way
of thinking may be changed, and that they
may be converted to a better mind
But, as I think the Republican rnrty IS
given over to hardness of heart and is be-
yond the pale of redemption, The Times
would do better by praying for the saliva
ton of the country through the agency of
the Democratic party.
A. S. LANIER.
Richmond, Va, August 18th.