Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1900-07-18

previously known and applaudr,
! throughout the world as the cham
/ i;ion Of freedom, in the false and un
American position of crushing will
military force the efforts of our for
mcr allies to achieve liberty and self
government. The Filipinos canno
br citizens without cndangrring on,
civilization; they cannot be subjects
without impcriing cur form of gov
rrnmrnt, and we arc not willing tt
surrender our civilization or to con
vert the republic into ali empire. W.
favor an immediate declaration of the
nations purpose to give to the Fill
pinoS first, Il stable form of govern
mrnt; second, independence and
third, projection from outside inter
ference, such as has been given fol
nearly century to the republics OF
Central and South America.
The greedy commcrcalism whicl
dictated the Philippine policy of The
Republican administration attempt.
to Justify it with the plea that it vii
pay, but even this sordid and un
worthy plea fails when brought tc
the test OF facts. The war OF crimi.
nal aggression against the Filpnos
entalllng an annual expense of many
millions, has already cost more than
any possible profit that could accrue
from the entire Philippine trade for
years to come. Furthermore, when
trade is extended at the expense Of
liberty the price is always too high
we are not opposed to territorial
expansion when it takes in dcsirabl,
territory which can be erected into
States in the Union and whose peo-
pie are willing and fit to become
American citizens.
we favor >radc expansion by every
peaceful and Legitimate means. But
we are unaltcrably opposed to the
SrlzIng or purchasing OF distant
islands to be governed outside the
constitution and whose people can
never become citizens.
we are in favor Of extending the
republics influence among the na-
tions, but believe that influence
should be extended, not by force and
violence, but through the persuasive
power Of high and honorable exam
pie.
The importance Of other questions
now pending before the American
people is in no wise diminished and
the Democratic party takes no back
ward step from its position on them,
but th" burning Issue Of Imperialism
growing out OF the Spanish war in
wolves the very existence of the re-
public and the destruction of our
tree institutions. We regard it as
the paramount issue Of the campaign.
TUE MONROE DOCTRINE.
lhc declaration Of the Republican
platform adopted at the Philadelphia
convention, held in June, 1900, that
tn" Republican party "steadfastly
adhcr"s to the policy announced in
the Monroe doctrine" is manifcstlv
lnSinccrc and deceptive. This pro-
f"Sslon is contradictch by the avowcd
r"lIcy Of that party in opposition to
the spirit Of the Monroe doctrine to
acquire and hold sovereignty over
large areas Of territory, and large
numbers Of people in the eastern
hemisphere. We insist on the strict
maintenance Of the Monroe doctrine
and IN all It's integrity, both in letter
ana IN spirit, as necessary to prevent
thccXtcnSlon Of European authority
on this continent and as essential TO
Our supremacy in American affairs.
At the same time we declare that no
American people shall ever be held
by force in unwilling subjcction to
European authority.
urroSi1ION TO MLITARISM.
We oppose militarism. 1t means
conquest abroad and intimidation
and oppression at home. 1t means
the strong arm which has ever been
fatal TO free institutions. 1t is what
millions Of our citizens have fled
from in Europe. 1t will impose
upon our pcacc-loving people a large
standing army and an unnecessary
burden Of taxation and a constant
menace to their liberties.
y small standing army with well
disciplined state militia are amply
sufficient in time Of peace. This re-
public has no place for vast mill
tary service and conscription.
When the nation is in danger the