The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-08-16

close the radical departure from MS
tory and precedent contemplated BY
those who control the republican par
ty. The storm of protest wnjeHl
greeted the Porto Rican bill was tan|
indication of what may be expected
when the American people are brought
face to face with legislation upon thisl
subject. II the Porto Ricans, who
welcome annexation, are to be denied
the guarantee of our constitutions,
what is to be the lot of the Filjpinos,|
who resisted our authority?
SIS the sunlight of full citizenship to
be enjoyed by the people of the United'
States and the twilight of semi-citi-
ger ship endured by the people OF Per
to Rico, while the thick darkness OF
perpetual vassalage covers the Phillip
pines? The Porto Rico tariff law as
serts the doctrine that the operation OF
the constitution is confined to the for
tv-five states. The democratic party
disputes this doctrine and denounces
it as repugnant to both the letter and
spirit of our organic law. There is mol
place in our system of governmant tori
the deposit of arbitrary and irrespon1
sible power.
Some argue that American rule id
the Philippine Islands will result ID
the better education of the Philippines;
Be not deceived. If we expect q
maintain a colonial policy, we shall nd
find it to our advantage to educate til
people. The educated Filipinos ar
now in revolt against us, AID t mos
ignorant ones have made the least re|
sistence to our denomination. W
are to govern them without their Eon
sent and give them no voice IN deter
mining the taxes which they mus
pay, we dare not educate them lesI
they learn to read the Declaration d
Independence and the Constitution d
the United States and mock us for our
Inconsistency.
1.-The principal arguments, however,
advanced by those who enter upon a
defense Of imperialism are:
"First-Ihat we must improve the
present opportunity to become world
power and enter into international
politics.
"Second-That our commercial in.
terests in the Philippine Islands and
in the Orient make it necessary for u1
to hold the islands permanently.
"Third-That the spread of thN
Christian religion will be facilitated b
a colonial policy.
"Fourth-That there is no honor<
able retreat from the position which
the nation has taken.
THE first argument is addressed I'd
the nations pride and the second I'd
the nations pocketbook. The third il
intended for the church member and
the fourth for the partisan.
''But a war of conquest is as unwis4
as it is unrighteous. A harbor and
coaling station in the Philippine
would answer every trade and militar,
necessity, and such a concession coul,
have been secured at any time withou
difficulty. 1t is not necessary to owl
people in order to trade with them
imperialism would be profitable I
the army contractors; it would b
profitable to the ship owners, VIII
would carry live soldiers to the Philir
pines and bring dead soldiers bSEk;.
would be profitable to those who wouf
seize upon the franchises, and it woul
be profitable to the officials, who's
salaries would be fixed here and pal
over there; but to the farmer, to I'd
laboring man, and to the vast maiorit
of those engaged in other occupationfA
it would bring expenditure Withhold
return and risk without reward. -
"The pecuniary argument, thoug
more effective with certain classes,
not likely to be used so often or pryAI
scented with so much emphasis as tHII
religious argument. If what has bedI
termed the gun powder gospel wet
urged against the Filipinos only, HI
would be a sufficient answer to SILL
that g majority of the Filipinos al
now members of one branch of ii Ill
Christian church; but the princip II
involved is one of much wider app Il
cation and challenges serious consi I
Grafton. Ill
"Let it be known that our missio
aries are seeking souls instead of SO
er0lSuty, let IL Do huOWu Iudt luSlefM
of being the advance guard of conque
ing armies, they are going forth
help and 70 uplift, having their loi
girt about with truth and their fl
shod with the preparation of the g
pei of peace, wearing the breast p!s
of righteousness and carrying
sword of the Spirit.
"There is an easy, honest. hon
able solution of the Philippine gu
ton. 1t is set forth in the democra
platform, and it is submitted with Cd
fidence to the American people. RI
plan unreservedly indorse. If eId
ed, shall convene Congress in ext
ordinary session as soon as I am ina}.
urated, and recommend an immedik
declaration of the nations purpd
first, to establish stable form of 81
eminent in the Philippine Islands
as we are now establishing q std
form of government in the Island +
L