Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-08-11

JENNINGS BRYAN.
he given to the Filipinos by law; but,
even this pledge II not fulfilled. Nearly
sixteen months elapsed after the ratifica.
ton OF the treaty before the adjournment
OF Congress last June, and vet 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 Rican
bill was an indication Of what may he
expected when the American people IRE
brought face to face with legislation
upon this subject. II the Porto Ricans,
who welcome annexation, are to be dc.
MED the guarantees Of our constitution.
what Is to bc the lot Of the Filiplnos, who
resisted our authority? II secret inHu.
ences could compel a disregard Of our
plain duty toward friendly people, living
near our shores. what treatment will
those same influences provide for un-
friendly people 1000 miles away? II, in
this country, where the people have the
right to vote. Republican lenders dare not
take the side OF the people against the
great monopolics which have grown up
within the last few years, how can they
bc trusted to protect the Filipinos from
the corporations which IRE waiting to
despOil the islands?
What IL our title to the Philippine
by conquest? Did we buy them or did
We take themY Did we purchase the
peOpleY Ii not, how did Wa secure title
to them? Were they thrown In with the
land! Will the Republicans say that In
animate enrth has value, and when that
earth IT, nodded by the Divine Hand and
stamped with the likeness Of the Creator
1t becomes n fixture and passes with the
soil! II governments derive their just
powers from the consent of the governed,
II IL impossible to secure title to people,
either by force or by purchase. We could
extinguish SPANS title by treaty, but II
we hold title we must hold 1t by some
method consistent with our ideas OF gov
ernment. When we made allies OF the
Filipinos and armed them to fight against
spain, we. disputed SPANS title. II we
buy Spain's title we IRE not innocent pur.
| chasers. But even IL we had not dis
| puted SPANS title, she could transfer NO
greater title than she had, and her title
was based ON force alone. We cannot dc.
fcnd such u title. but, as Spain gave III
a. quit claim deed, we can hOnornbly turn
the property over to the party In posses
sion.
Our Duty In the Philippines.
| Some say that 1t IL our duty to hold
an argument; II Is u conclusion. To az
certain what our duty IL, In any emcr
gcncy, we must apply well.scttled and
generally accepted principles. 1t Is Oul
duty to avoid stealing, no matter whether
the thing to be stolen IL OF great or lit
tie value. 1t Is our duty to avoid killing
man being lives or to what race Or clas,
he belongs: Everyone recognizes the OBJ
iigation imposed upon individual
to observe both the human ant
moral. but. as some deny
Ions Of others. Jefferson. than whom tier 1,
Is no higher political authority. said:
u know OF but one code OF morality TO
men. whether acting singly or collectively,
Franklin. whose learning, wisdom and vir
tue are q part OF the priceless legacy he
qneathed TO us from the RevolutiOnar!
days, expressed the same Idea In evei
stronger language when he said:
Justice Is as strictly due between neigh
Dor nations ms between neighbOr citizens
highwayman Is as much II robber whe
ne plumbers In n gang as when singly; nm,
the nation thht makes an unjust war Is onl
great gang
, Men may dare to do In crowds what the
would not dare to do rs individuals, but III
moral character of an act Is not determine
by the number Ut those who Join In II
Force can defend u right, but force ha
never yet created a right. If II was true
as declared In the resolutions Of Intervention
that the Cubans ARE and OF right ought I
be free and independent Language take
from the Declaration OF lndependence.) II |
! equally true that the FilipinOs ARE and q
right ought 10 he free and independent"
, Who Will draw line between the natura
| n
Will say that the former has "a right to III
erty and that the latter has no rights whic
!, We are bound to respect; And. II the Fl
ipinos ARE aud Of right ought to be FIRE
? and independent" what right have we I
: force our government upon them withOu
I their CONSENT Before our duty can be a.
cer,alned. their rights must be Determined
and when their rights are once determined
II Is as much our duty 10 respect those right
, as IL was the duty Of spain to respect IN
rights OF the people Of Cuba, or the duty q
lean cOlOnists, Rights never conflict; dutie
D never clash. Can II he our duty to usur
4 political rights which belong to others! Ca
be our duty. to kin those who, fOllowin
= well enough to hight for III
II Is argued by some that the Filipino
. are incapable OF self'governmeS, and thu
therefore we owe II 70 the world to tax
e clal report to the navy department, declare
\ the Filipinos more capable OF self-goverl
h ment thar. the Cubans. and said that
n based his Opinion upon knowledge OF bot
. races. But ] VIII not rest the case upon III
, relative advancement Of the FtlipinOS. Hell
D ry Clay, In defending the rights Of the pc,
Pile Of South America to self'governmen
i said:
p 1T Is the doctrine OF thrones that man
z too ignorant to govern himself Their pa
g tisans assert his incapaclty In reference
y all nations; II they cannot command unive
= sal assent 10 the proposition, 1t Is then r
!. handed TO particular nations; and our prid
and our presumption too often make col
' verts Of us, ] contend that II Is to arraig
g the disposition Of Providence Himself,
y suppose that He has created beings incap
q BILE Of governing themselves, and to be tran
n pied on by kings. self-goyernment Is II
natural government Of man"
Some argue that American rule In Il
Philippine Islands will result In the bett,
I education Of the Filipinos. BE not deceIye
o II we expect TO maintain col0sIsl polio