Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-08-15

(|I'N|I(''''|'f
HON WILLIAM
pathy is due to the fact that, as stated in
our PLATFORM, we believe in the principle
of self-government and reject, as did our
forefathers. the claims of monarchy.
Imperialism Not Expansion.
Our opponents, conscious of the weak
ness of their cause. seek to confuse inn
perialism with expansion, and have even
dared to claim jefferson as a supporter
of their policy. Jefferson spoke so freely
and used language with such precision
that no one can be ignorant of his views.
On one occasion he declared: .'If there
be one principle more deeply rooted than
any other in the mind of every American,
it is that we should have nothing to do
with conquest" And again he said:
Conquest is not in our principles; it is
inconsistent with our government
The forcible annexation of territory to
be governed by arbitrary power, differs
as much from the acquisition of terri
tory to be built up into states as mon
archy differs from II democracy. The
Democratic party does not oppose expan-
sion. when expansion enlnrges the area
Of the republic and Incorporates land
which can be settled by American citi-
zens, or adds to our population people
who are willing to become citizens and
are capable of discharging their duties
as such. The acquisition of the Louisi-
ana territory. Florida, Texas and other
| tracts which have been secured from time
to time, enlarged the republic, and the
constitution followed the flag into the
new territory. 1t is now proposed to
seize upon distant territory already more
denscly populated than our own country,
and to force upon the people a govern
mcnt, for. which there is no warrant in
our constitution or our laws. Even the
| argument that this earth belongs to those
who desire to cultivate it and have the
! physical power to acquire it cannot be
invoked to justify the appropriation of
the Philippine Islands by the United
! States, for if the islands were uninhab-
tied American citizens would not be will
/. ing. to go there and till the soil. The
white race will not live so near the eula-
| tor.
A colonial policy means that we shall
send to the Philippines few traders, a
| XIV tush leN OulCC-HOlu-
ers, and an army large enough to support
the authority of small fraction of the
| people while they rule the natives.
Ii we have an imperial policy we must
nave large standing army as its rat
| ural and necessary complement. The
spirit which will Justify the forcible ar
ncSation of the Philippine Islands will
justify the seizure of other islands and
| the domination of other people, and
wars OF conquest We can expect GER
| tain, IL not rapid growth of our military
establishment. That large permanent
increase in our regular army is intended
by the Republican leaders is not Il mere
matter of conjecture, but matter of
| fact.
Menace OF Big Army.
A large standing army is not only pc
| cuniary burden to the people and, if
accompanied by compulsory service, II
constant source of irritation, but 1t is
! ever menace to Il Republican form of
| government. A small standing army and
I! IL well-equippel and weli-disciplined State
militia are sufficient in ordinary times,
and in any emergency the nation should
in the future as in the past place its de-
! pcndence upon the volunteers who come
from all occupations at their country's
call and return to productive labor when
| their services arc no longer required
men who fight when the country needs
| lighters and work when the country needs
| workers.
The Republican platform assumes that
the Philippine Islands will be retained
under American sovereignty, and we have
a right to demand of the Republican lead
ers discussion of the future status of
the Filipino. Is he to be Il citizen or a
| subject! Are we to bring into the body
polite eight or ten million Asiatics, SO
different from us in race and history that
| amalgamation 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 proposition.
The Democratic platform describes the
situation when it says that the Filipinos
cannot be citizens without endangernp
our, civilization. Who will dispute ii?
And what is the alternative? If the
Filipino is not to BIZ citizen. shall we
the Democratic platform speaks with
emphasis. 1t declares that the Filipino
cannot be n subject without cndangeriny
our form of government. A republic can
have no subjects.
The whole difference between n mon
archy and republic may be summed up
| i'll one sentence. In Il monarchy the king
gives to the people what he believes to be
good government; in II republic the pco-
pie secure for themselves what they he
| lieye to be good government. The Re
publican party has accepted the Euro
pean idea and planted itself upon the
ground taken by George H. and by every
ruler who distrusts the capacity of the
people for self-government or denies them
voice in their own affairs.
Republicans Fcar to Legislate,
The Republican platform promises that
some measure of self-goyernment is to
tpit tn, tt,s, H.,
even this pledge is not fulfilled Nearly
| sixteen months elapsed after the ratiiicu-
tion of the treaty before the adjournment
of Congress last june and yet no law
was passed dealing with the Philippine
situation The will of the President has
been the only law in the Philippine
Islands wherever the American authority
extends. Why does the Republican party
hesitate to legislate upon the Philippine
question? Because law would disclose
the radical departure from history and
precedent contemplated by those who
control the Republican party. The storm
Of protest which greeted the Porto Ricnn
bill was an indication of what may he
expected when the American people are
brought face to face with legislation
upon this subject. If the Porto Ricans,
| who welcome annexation, are to be de-
MED the guarantees OF our constitution,
what is to he the lot of the Filipinos, who
| resisted our authority? III secret intiu-
cnces could compel a Disregard of our
near our shores. what treatment viii
those same Influences provide for un-
friendly people 1000 miles away? If. in
| this country. where the people have the
right to vote, Republican leaders dare not
take the side of the people against the
great monopolies which have grown up
| within the last few years. how can they
l n snf.f la, l.,..,,
the corporations which are waiting 10
| despoil the islands?
What is our title to the Philippine
Islands? Do we hold them by treaty or.
by conquestf Did we buy them or did
we tako themi Did we purchase the