The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-08-09

was paying on the national debt are now
looking for reasons TO support a per-
petual and increasing debt: Republicans
who formerly abhorred a trust now be-
guile themselves with the delusion that
there are good trusts and bad trusts:
while IN their minds the line between the
two is becoming more and more OBJ
scure, Republicans who In times past
congratulated the country upon the
small expense Of our standing army
are now making light of the objections
which are urged against a large IN
crease IN the permanent military es-
ltRbliahment: Republicans who glOrled In
| our independence when the nation was
| less powerful now look with favor upon
a foreign alliance. Republicans who
three years ago condemned forclble
annexation. as immoral and even Grim
inal, are now sure that II is both i'm
moral and criminal TO oppose forcible
annexation. That partisanship has al
ready blinded many to present dangers
is certain How large a portion OF the
Republican party tan be drawn over 20
, the new policies remains 10 be seen.
For a time Republican leaders were
inclined 90 deny to opponents the right
20 crlticise ;he Philippine policy OF the
administration, but upon investigation
they found that both Lincoln and Clay
asserted and exercised the right TO crit
icize q president during the progress
" the Mexican war.
Instead uf meeting the Issue boldly
and submitting a clear and positive
plan for dealing with the Philippine
question. the Republican convention
adopted a platform the larger part OF
a hlah AaEnfaH ~ "a
self congratulation.
I'm attempting to press economic
questions upon the country 10 the ex-
cluslon of those which Involve the very
structure Of our government. the Re
publican leaders give new evidence OF
their Abandonment 81 the earlier ideals
NJ the party and OF their complete sub
serylency 10 pecuniary considerations.
"But they shall no. be permitted TO
evade the stupendous and far-reach-
lng issue which they have deliberate
/ ly brought into the arena OF politics.
When the president. supported by a
practically unanimous vote OF the house
and senate. entered upon a war with
Spain Tor the purpose Of aiding the
struggling patriots OF Cuba. the coun-
try without regard 10 party appiauded.
Although the Democrats recognized
that the administration would neces-
sarily gaiu a political advantage from
the conduct Of war which, In the very
nature of the case. must soon end in u
complete victory. they WED with the
Republicans In the support which they
gave TO the president When the war
was over and the Republican leaders be-
gan to suggest the propriety OF n col
onial policy. opposition at once mani
Tested itself. When the president H.
nally hid before the senate treaty
which recognized the Independence OF
Cuba but provided for the cesslon of
the Philippine Islands TO the United
States the menace OF Imperialism be
came so apparent that many preferred
to reject the treaty and risk the Ills
that might follow rather than take the
chance of correcting the errors OF the
treaty by the Independent action Of
this country.
Il was among the number Of those
who believed II better 10 ratify the
treaty and end the war, release the
volunteers. remove the excuse for var
expenditures and then give to the Fiji
pin0s the independence which might be
forced from Spain by new treaty. In
view OF the criticism which my action
aroused N some quarters. take this
occasion to Te-state the reasons given
az that time. / thought II safer to trust
he American people TO give indepen-
dence n the filipnos than TO trust the
Accomplishment OF that purpose to dip
lomacy with an unfriendly nation. Lin
coin embodied an argument in the ques-
tion, when he asked Can aliens make
treaties easier than friends can make
lawsS' l believe that We are now in
better position to wage n successful
contest against imperialism than we
would have been had the treaty been
rejected. With The treaty ratified. a
clean-cut issue Is presented between a
government by consent and govern
ment by force and imperialis1s must
bear the responsibility for all that hap
pens until the question is settled. II |
the treaty had been rejected. the OPP /
ponents OF Imperialism would have been |
held responsible for any international |
complications which might have arisen |
before the ratification of another treaty. |
Hut whatever differences of opinion |
may have existed as to the best meth |
Cd Of opposing the colonial policy, there |
never was any difference as to the great |
importance Of the question. md there |
is no difference now as 10 the course
TO be pursued.
'"rhe title of Spain being extinguished |
we were at liberty to deal with the FIJI |
ipinos according TO American principles.