davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09
THE BACON RESOLUTION.
Its Adoption Would Have Solved the
Problem of What to DO With the
PhfIippines,

If the treaty had been rejected, con-
elapsed before a new treaty could have
been agreed upon and ratified. and during
that time the question would have been
agitating the public mind If the Bacon
resolution had been adopted by the Senate
and carried out by the President, either
at the time of the ratification of the
treaty or at any time afterwards, 1t would
have taken the question of imperialism
out of politics and left the American peo-
pie free to deal with their domestic prob
lens. But the resolution was defeated by
the vote of the Republican Vice President.
and from that time to this Republican
Congress has refused
To Take Any Action whatever
in the matter. When hostilities broke out
at Manila. Republican speakers and Re-
publican editors at once sought to lay the
blame upon those who had delayed the
ratification of the treaty, and during the
progress of the war, the same Republi-
cans have accused the opponents of inn
perialism of giving encouragement to the
Fllipinos. This is a cowardly evasion of
responsibility.
If 1t is right for the United States to
hold the Philippine Islands permanently
and initiate European empires in the gov
eminent of colonies. the Republican party
ought to state its position and defend IL,
but IL must expect the subject races to
protest against such policy and to resist
to the extent of their ability. The Fill
pinos
Do Not Need Any encouragement
from Americans now living. Our whole
history has been an encouragement, not
only to the Fflipinos, but to all who are
denied a voice in their own government
If the Republicans are prepared to CEN
sure all who have used language cal
culated to make the Filipinos hate foreign
domination. let them condemn the speech
of Patrick Henry: When he uttered that
passionate appeal. "Give me liberty or
give me DEATH he expressed a senti-
ment which still echoes in the hearts of
men. Let them censure Jefferson. of all
the statesmen of history. none have used
words so offensive to those who would
hold their fellows In political bondage
Let Them Censure Warrington,
who declared that the colonists must
choose between liberty and slavery. or.
If the statute of limitations has run
against the sins Of Henry and JEFFERSON
and Washington. let them censure Linz
coin, whose Get3ssbprg speech will be
quoted In defense Of popular government
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09
THE COLONIAL POLICY
And What Its Adoption Would Mean.
Traders, Task-aiasters and Office
holders

A colonial policy means that we shall
send to the Philippines a few traders, a
Few task-masters and a few office-holders,
ana an army large enough to support the
authority of a small fraction of the people
while they rule the natives.
If we have an imperial policy we must
have large standing army as Its natural
ana necessary complement. The spirit
which will Justify the forcible annexation
OF the Philippine Islands. will justify the
Seizure of other Islands
and the domination of other people, and
with wars of conquest we can expect a
certain, IL not rapid growth of our mill
tary establishment. That q large perma-
nent increase in our regular army is in
tended by the Republican leaders is not
mere matter of conjecture, but a mat
Ter OF fact. In his message OF December
9TH, 1898, the President asked for author
lty to increase the standing army to l00.-
600. In 1896 the army contained about 25-
VU men Within two years the President
asked for
Four Times That Many,
and a Republican House of Representa-
6ves complied with the request after
the Spanish treaty had been signed and
no country was at war with the United
states II such an army is demanded
when an imperial policy is contemplated
but not openly avowed. what may be ex-
pected If the people encourage the Re-
publican party by endorsing its policy at
the polls? A large standing army is not
only a peculiar burden TO the people, and,
If accompanied by compulsory service. a
constant source of irritation. but it is
ever menace to a republican form of
government. The army Is the
RECONCILIATION of Force.
and militarism will inevitably change the
ideals of the people and turn the thoughts
of our young men from the arts of peace
to the science of war The government
which relies for its defense upon its citi-
zens, is more likely to be just than one
which has at call large body OF profess
sional soldiers. A small standing army
and a well equipped and well disciplined
State militia are sufficient In ordinary
times, and in an emergency the nation
should in the future as In the past place
its dependence upon the volunteers who
come from all occupations
At Their Country's Cali
and return to productive labor when their
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09
ARGUMENTS ANSWERED.
This Nation Has Been n World Power
for Good for q Century.


1t is sufficient answer to the first ar
gument to say that for more than CEN
fury this nation has been world power,
For ten decades IL has been the most
potent influence in the world. Not only
has il been a world power, but it has
done more to affect the politics of the
human race than all the other nations or
the world combined. Because our Decla~
ration of Independence was promulgated
others have been promulgated. Because
the patriots of 17T6 fought for liberty
others have fought for II: because our
constitution was adopted, other constitu-
tons have been adopted
The Growth of the Principle
of self-government planted on American
soil has been the over-shadowing polite
cal fact of the nineteenth century II has
made this nation conspicuous among the
nations and given Ii place in history
such as no other nation has ever enjoyed,
Nothing has been able TO check the or :
ward march of this idea. ! am not Will
ing that this nation shall cast aside the
omnipotent weapon or truth 10 seize again
the weapon Of physical warfare. | would
not exchange the glory of this republic
for the glory OF all the empires That nave
risen and fallen since time began.
The permanent chairman OF the last
Republican national convention present
ed the peouniary argument In all It's DAHL
ness. when he said
I'VE make no hypocritical pretenses of
being interested in the Philippines
Solely on Account of Others.
While we regard the welfare of those
people as a scored trust. we regard the
welfare OF the American people first We
see our duty to ourselves as well as 10
others. We believe in trade expansion
BY every legitimate means within the
province Of government and constitution
we mean to stimulate the expansion OF
our trade and open new markets.
This is the commercial argument IL Is
based upon the theory that war can be
rightly waged for pecuniary advantage.
and that IL is profitable to purchase trade
by force and violence, Franklin denied
both Of these propositions. When Lord
Howe asserted that the acts OF Parlia-
ment, which brought on the revolution,
were necessary to
Prevent American Trade
from passing into foreign channels,
Franklin replied
ITO me IL seems that neither the obtain :
ing nor retaining of any trade. how val
unable soever is an object for which
men may justly spill each others blood
that the true and sure means of extending
and securing commerce are the goodness
and cheapness of commodities. and that
the profits of no trade can ever be equal
to the expense of compelling ii and hold
ing IL by fleets and armies. 1 consider this
war against us, therefore, as both unjust
and unwise.'
place the philosophy OF Franklin
against the sordid doctrine of those who
would put a price upon the life of an
American soldier and Justify a war of
conquest upon the ground that IL Will
pay. The Democratic party Is I'm favor OF
The Expansion of Trade.
1t would extend our trade by every Iegit-
innate and peaceful means: but II is not
willing TO make merchandise of human
blood.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09
SEEK TO CONFUSE
Imperialism and Expansion to Hide
the Weakness of Their Case,


Our opponents, conscious of the weak
ness of their cause. seek to confuse imper-
ialism 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 lie declared: IF there
be one principle more deeply rooted than
1t is that we should have nothing to do
with conquest" And again he said Con
quest is not in our principles; it is incon-
sistent with our government"
The ForcibIe Annexation
of territory to be governed by arbitrary
power differs as much from the acquisi-
ton of territory to be built up into States
as monarchy differs from a democracy
The Democratic party does not oppose
expansion, when expansion enlarges 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
sncn. The acquisition of the Louisiana
territory, Florida. Texas and other tracts
which have been secured from time to
time, enlarged the republic and the con-
| sttutlon followed the flag into the new
territory 1t is now proposed to seize
upon distant territory already more dense
~ populated than our own country and
TO force upon the people a government
l lot which theEs Is no warrant In our con-
"
that this earth belongs to those
Who Desire to Cultivate
it and have the physical power to ac-
quire IL cannot be invoked to justify the
appropriation of the Philippine Islands by
the United States If the Islands were I'M
inhabited American citizens would not be
willing to go there and till the soil The
white race will not live so near the equa-
tor. Other nations have tried to coionize
in the same latitude. The Netherlands
IN lnd Tow Gov
yet to-day there are less than so, 900 people
of European birth scattered among 25,-
100000 natives. After
Century and n Half
of English domination in India. less than
one-twentieth of one per cent OF the peo-
pie of India are of English birth, and 1t
requires an army of 10000 British soldiers
to take care of the tax collectors. Spain
has asserted title TO the Philippine Islands
for three centuries. and yet, when our
fleet entered Manila bay, there were less
than 10000 Spaniards residing in the Phil
ippines.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09
THE ETHICS OF TRADE.
II Is Not Necessary TO Own People to
Trade With Them.

But a war Of conquest is as unwise as
II Is unrighteous harbor and coaling
station in the Philippines would answer
every trade and military necessity and
such a concession could have been Sc
cured at any time without difficulty.
1t Is not necessary TO own people In or
der to trade with them. We carry on
trade to-day with every part Of the
world, and our commerce has expanded
more rapidly than the commerce OF any
European empire. We do not own japan
or China, but we trade with their people
We have not absorbed the republics of
Central and South America but we trade
with them. il has not been necessary to
have any
Political Connections
with Canada or the nations of Europe in
order to trade with them. Trade cannot
be permanently profitable unless II is
voluntary When trade is secured by
force. the cost of securing II and re-
tanning II must be taken out Of the profits
and the profits are never large enough TO
cover the expense. Such system would
never be defended but for the fact that
the expense is borne by all the people,
while the profits
Are Enjoyed by the Few.
Imperialism would be profitable to the
army contractors: 1t would be profitable
to the ship-owners who would carry live
soldiers to the Philippines and bring
dead soldiers back. IL would be profitable
TO those who would seize upon the fran
cnlSeS and IL would he profltable 10 the
officials whose salaries would be fixed
here and paid over there; but 10 the far
mer. 70 the laboring man. and 70 the vast
majority OF those engaged in other occu-
pations. il would bring expenditure with
out return and risk without reward
Farmers and laboring men have. as a
rule, small incomes and. under systems
which place
The Tax Upon Consumption.
pay more than their fair share Of the ex
penses Of government. Thus the very
people who receive least benefit from i'm
perialism viii be injured most BY military
burdens which accompany IT,
In addition TO the evils which he and
the farmer share In common. the iaborin9
man Will be the first 10 suffer If oriental
subjects seek work IN the United States:
the frst 10 suffer IL American capital
leaves our shores to employ oriental la
Dor in the Philippines 10 supply the trade
Of China and japan: the first 70 suffer
from the violence which the military
spirit arouses and the first TO suffer when
the
Methods of Imperialism
are applied TO our own government
II is not strange. therefore. that the la
Dor organizations have been quick to note
the approach Of these dangers and prompt
to protest against both militarizm and i'm
perialisn.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09
BUT ONE MORAL CODE.
1t Applies to Nations ms Well as to
IndividuaIs-Some Eminent Auth

1t Applies to Nations ms Well as to
IndividuaIs-Some Eminent Auth
critics.
II know of but one code of morality for
men, whether acting singly or collective
ly'
Franklin. whose learning, wisdom and
virtue are a part of the priceless legacy
beaueathed to US from the revolutionary
days. expressed the same idea in even
stronger language when he said:
Justice Is as strictly due between
nefghbor nations as between neighbor cit
liens. A highwayman Is as much rob-
Der whep he plumbers in a gang as when
singly; SD the nation that makes an I'M
just war Is only great gang"
Men may dare to do In crowds what
they would not dare to do as individuals,
but
The Moral Character
of an act is not determined by the num-
Der of those who join in ii. Force can de-
fend a right but force has never yet
created a right. If it was true, as de-
clared in the resolution of intervention.
that the Cubans ARE and of right ought
to be free and Independent" Language
taken from the Declaration of Indepen-
dence) 1t is equally true that the Filipinos
are and of right ought to be free and
Independent" The right of the Cubans to
freedom was not based upon their prox-
unity to the United States, nor upon the
language which they spoke. nor yet upon
the race or races to which they belonged.
congress Dy practically unanimous vote
declared that the principles enunciated at
Philadelphia in 1776
Were Still Alive
and applicable to the Cubans.
Who will draw a line between the nat
ural rights of the Cubans and the Fill
pinos? Who will say that the former
have a right to liberty and the latter
have no rights which we are bound to re-
spect? And, If the Filipinos ARE and of
right ought TO be free and independent"
what right have we to force our govern
ment upon them without their consent?
Before our duty can be ascertained, and
when their rights are once determined. it
is as much our duty to respect those
rights as 1t was the duty of Spain to re-
spect the rights of the people of Cuba,
or the duty of England TO respect the
rights of the American colonists.
Rights Never Conflict,
duties never clash. Can 1t be our duty to
usurp political rights which belong to
others? Can it be our duty TO kill those
who. following the example of our fore
fathers, love liberty well enough to fight
for it?
Some poet has described the terror
which overcame a soldier who. in the
midst of battle. discovered that he had
slain his brother. 1t is written: 'All We
are brethren" Let us hope for the COM
ing of the day when human life-which
when once destroyed cannot be restored
will be so sacred that 1t will never be
taken when necessary to punish a crime
already committed. or to prevent a crime
about to be committed
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09
It Affects Every Fibre OF the
Governmental Fabric
Financial, Moral,
Patriotic.
Its Baneful Effects Upon the Peo=
pie and Their Dearest and
Most Sacred Interests.
MR., BRYAN'S SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE

ton they found that both Lincoln and
Clay asserted and exercised the right to
criticise a President during the progress
of the Mexican war.
Instead of meeting the issue boldly and
submitting a clear and positive plan for
dealing with the Philippine question, the
Republican convention adopted a plat
form, the larger part of which was de-
voted to boasting and self-congratulation.
In attempting to press economic ques-
lions upon the country to the exercise of
OF our government the Republican leaders
give new evidence of their abandonment
of the earlier ideals Of the party and of
their complete subserviency TO pecuniary
considerations
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09
THERE rs A PLAN.
An Easy Plan, Honorable, Honest
Plan for the ISOLATION of the Phfl-
fppfne Problem.


ippine Problem.
There is an easy, honest. honorable So
luton of the Philippine question It Il
set forth In the Democratic PLATFORM and
IL Is submitted with confidence to the
american ss.sd neSaIs This Rlsn II
Congress in 80 ordinary session s''l.' n as0a
as ] am inaugnrated. and recommend IN
immediate declaration of the nntion's puEz
pose. first. to establish q stable torn 1t
government In the Philippine Islands. fusk
as we are now establishing a stable form
of government In the island Of Cuba; sec<
ond,
To Give Independence
to the Filipinos. just as we have prom
ised' TO give Independence 70 the CnbanAs
third, 10 protect the Filpinoa from nast~
side interference whllo they work nlEs
their destiny, just az we have protected
the republics OF Central and south Amer
lea. and are. by the Monroe doctrInes
pledged to protect Cuba An European
protectorate often results in the exploltfts
ton OF the ward BY the guardian. An
American proteetorate gives 70 the NATION
protected the advantage OF our strpeta,
without making II
The Victim 81 Our Greed,
For three-quarters OF d century the Mon
roe doctrine has been shield to neigh
boring republics. and yet y has imposed
no pecuniary burden upon rs. After fh8
Fiipinos had aided US IN the war against
Spain we could not honorably turn them
over 20 their former fnaEtHFHs we coHla
not leave them TO be tho victims II
ambitious designs q &c EuFopeau
tons. and since Ne do NJ ayAsre ID ma
them a part Of u.s. or To
Hold Thrsn A SUSPECTS.
we propose The only Alternative
namely, TO give them Independence afd%
guard them against molestAil0n ffDm1
without
When our opponents are Unable to de-
fend their position BY argument they fai
back upon the assertion that Il Is deal
tiny, and insist that We must submit 10 4,
no matter how mitch X violates NOR s
precepts and our principles Of goverf
ment This In A compliment phil0a0ph
II oblterates the distinction between rich
and wrong. and makes indiyi6uafA an
nations the helpless victims Of cireuu
stances.
Destiny ~ the subterfnRa
Of the inyertebrate. who. lacking
courage to oppose error. seeks some oiaua-
ible excuse for supporting Il. WaahinRf0a
said that the destiny Of the republican
form Of government was deeply II not
finally, staked on the experiment en-
trusted 10 the American people How
different Wa8hington'a definition u 6eAe
tiny from the Republican dehnifioni
The Republicans say that this nation IA
In the hands of destiny Washington La
lieved that not only rho denfiay ~ cur
own nation. but the destiny 0f the re-
publican form OF government throughout
the world was
Entrusted to Americas Hands.
washington vas right. The destiny 81
this republic tN IN the hands 81 is oWn
people. and upon the success 81 the eN-
pertinent here rests the hope ~ humanity.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09

iskok greater little value 1t Il our duty
to avoid killing human being. no matter
where the human being lives or to what
race or class he belongs. Everyone rec
ognixes the obligation imposed upon in
dividuals to observe both the human and
moral law, but, as some deny the appli-
cation of those laws TO nations, IL may
not be out of place to quote the opinion
of others Jefferson. than whom there is
no higher political authority, said:
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09
PORTO RICO
Furnishes an Example of What May
Be Expected When Philippine
i Legislation Comes Tn.

If the Porto Ricans who welcome annex
alton are TO be denied the guarantees of
our constitution, what is to be the lot
OF the F1lipinos. who resisted our author
Ivy! III secret influences could compel a
disregard of our plain duty toward friend
~ people, living near our shores what
treatment will those same influences pro-
VIDE for unfriendly people 1000 miles
pie have the right to vote. Republican
leaders dare not take the side of the peo-
pie against the great monopolies which
nave grown up within the last few wears
how can they be trusted to
Protect the FiIipinos
from the corporations which are waiting
to exploit the islands?
Is the sunlight of full citizenship to be
enjoyed by the people of the United
States, and the twilight of semi-citizen-
ship endured by the people of Porto Rico
while the thick darkness of perpetual vas
salage covers the Philippines? The Porto
RICO tarir law asserts the doctrine that
the operation of the constitution is con-
fined to the forty-fve States. The Demo-
cratic party disputes this doctrine and
Denounces 1t As RepuEnnnt
to both the letter and spirit of our or
ganic law There is no place In our sys-
tenn OF government for the deposit of ar
bitrary and irresponsible power. That
the leaders of great party should claim
Tor any President or Congress the right
to treat millions of people as mere pos
sessions" and deal with them unrestrain-
ed by the constitution or the bill of rights
shows how far we have already departed
from the ancient landmarks, and indicates
what may be expected il this nation de-
liberately enters upon a career of en-
pire.
The Territorial Form
of government is temporary and prepara-
tory, and the chief security a citizen of
a territory has is found in the fact that
he enjoys the same constitutional guaran-
tees, and is subject to the same general
laws as citizen of a State Take away
this security and his rights will be vio-
lated and his interests sacrificed at the
demand of those who have political in
f1uence. This is the evil of the colonial
system, no matter by what nation it is
applied.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09
NOT WHAT WE CAN DO
But What We Ought to Do Should
Govern Our Confederation of Pol
fC}eR.

Can we not govern colonfes?' we are
asked The question is not what they
can do, but what we ought TO do This
nation can do whatever II desires TO do
but ii must accept responsibility for what
1t does. If the constitution stands In the
way, the people can amend the constitu-
ton. 1 repeat. the nation can do what
ever IT desires to do. but II cannot avoid
the natural and legitimate results OF its
own conduct. The young man llpou
reaching his majority can do what he
pleases. He can discharge the teachings
OF his parents: he can trample upon all
that he has been taught TO consider sac
red; he
Can Disobey the Laws
OF the State. the laws of society and the
laws Of God; he can stamp failure upon
his life and make his very existence a
curse 70 his fellowmen. and he can bring
grave; but he cannot annui the sentence
The wages of sin is death" And so with
this nation It Is of age. and IL can do
what II pleases; X can spurn the trasff-
tons OF the past IL can repudiate the
principles upon which the nation rests:
1t can employ force instead Of reason.
1t can substitute might for right. il can
their lands. appropriate their property
and kill their people: but 1t cannot repeal
the moral Law or escape the punishment
decreed for the
kYs Violation Of Human Rights.
Would we tread In the paths OF tyranny.
Nor reckon the tyranf's costs
Who takefh anofher's liberty
His freedom Il also lost
Would re win as the strong have ever
Make ready 70 pay the debt.