Willmar tribune., 1900-08-22

emo enough to advocate such proposition; Isl On.
senate Immediately after the ratification
Of the treaty, expressly negatiyes this
idea. The democratic platform describes
pinos cannot be citizens without endan-
gering our civilization. Who will dispute
It? And what Is the alternatives? # the
make him a subject? on that question
the democratic platform speaks with en-
phasis. 1t declares that, the Filipino can
form Of government. A republic can
have no subjects. A subject is possible
only In 2 government resting upon force:
its Just powers from the consent of the
governed. The republican platform says
that 1.-The largest measure Of self-govern-
Filipinos) by law" This is strange doc
trine for a government which owes its
their lives as a protest against govern
ment without consent and taxation with
out representa- ton. In what respect does
ha posdn sRen Sy te
government in 1776? Did not the English
government promise good government
to the colonists? What king ever prom
pie? Did not the English govern
ment promise that the colonists should
have the largest measure of self-govern-
ment consistent with their welfare and
English duties? Did not the Spanish gov
ernment promise to give to the Cubans
afgs with Ser Of
duties? The whole difference between q
monarchy and republic may be summed
up IN t9 one sentence Sc ten :o In monarchy the
to be good government: in a republic
the people secure for themselves what
they believe to be q good government.
ropean idea and planted itself upon the
ground taken by George III. and by every
ruler who distrusts the capacity Of the
people for self-government or denies them
a voice in their own affairs.
The President's Will the Only Law.
The republican platform promises that
some measure Of self-government is to be
given to the Filipinos by law; but, even
this pledge is not fulfilled; Nearly IS
treaty before the adjournment of congress
last June, and yet no law was passed deal
ing with the Philippine situation. The will
in the Philippine islands wherever the
American authority extends. Why does
upon the Philippine question? Because a
law would disclose the radical departure
from history and precedent contemplated
by those who control the republican party.
Porto Rican bill was an indication of what
may be expected when the American peo-
pie are brought face to face with legisla-
who welcome annexation, are to be de-
MED the guarantees of our constitution,
what is to be the, lot of the Filipinos. who
ences could compel a disregard of our plain
duty toward friendly people. living near
our shores. what treatment will those same
1000 miles away? If, In this country where
the people have the right to vote, repub-
lican leaders dare not take the side Of the
people against the great mOnOpOlies which
have grown up within the last few years,
how can they be trusted to protect the
d from e1oaf taf Ie which
Is the sunlight of full citizenship to be
enjoyed by the people of the United States,
and the tWilight Of semi-citizenship en-
covers the Philippines? The Porto RICO
tariff LAY; law asserts s the doctrine that the
to the IS states. The democratic party dis
putes this doctrine and denounces it as
repugnant. to both the letter and spirit OF
system of government for the deposit of
arbitrary and irresponsible power. That
the leaders Of a great party should claim
tor any president or congress the right to
treat millions of people as mere posses
ssions' and deal with them unrestrained
by the, constitution or the bill of rights
from the ancient landmarks, and indicates
what may be expected if this nation de-
MMPserately Ms,e % enters upon a career of empire.
Ihe territorial form of government is tenn
security citizen of territory has is found
In the fact that he enjoys the same con-
the same general laws as a citizen of a
state. Take. away this security and his
rights will be violated and his interest
political influence. This is the evil of the
colonial system, no matter by what nation
it is applied.
Title to the Philippines.
,. What Is our title to the Philippine is
Dd hSa s 51y bym by tesy d by
take them? Did we purchase the peo-
PIE? I,t If not, how did we secure
til title with tS hsm the andy er % hfy fge
l1cans say that inanimate earth has value.
and when that earth is nodded by the
DIVINE hand and stamped with the like
and passes with the soil? If governments
derive their just powers from the con-
enr sent OF the the governed it Is impossible to
BY purchase. we could extinguish Spain 5
title by treaty, but If we hold title we
must mus d1,a hold IL 1t by some method consistent
MADE oa aes Of tbs When
them to fight against Spain. we disputed
SPANS title If we buy Spain's title we
are not innocent purchasers. But even
srsasT t9s ss nan she she
alone: We cannot defend such % a title. It'll But but.
can honorabiy turn 4 the t property % eS"; Over to to
the party in possession: Whether any
American official gave the Filipinos for.
accepted and utilized the services Of the
Filipinos, and that when we did so we had
full knowledge that they were fighting
that history furnishes no example of
turpitude baser than ours If we now SUBJ
stitute st o. our yoke for the Spanish yoke:
which have been given in support Of an
imperialistic policy. Some say that it is
our duty to hold the Philippine islands
but duty IS not an argument; it is con-
clus1on. To ascertain what our duty Is,
IN any emergency, we must apply we'll
settled and generally accepted principles.
It Is our duty to avoid stealing, no matter
or little value. It is our duty to avoid
killing a human being, no matter where
the human being lives or to what race
the obligation imposed upon individuals to
observe both the human and moral laws,
put. IT.; as - some deny the application Of those
to quote the opinion Of Ge Others be oo: Jef
ferson, than whom there is no higher po-
litical authority. said:
IL know OF but one code OF morality for
men, whether acting singly or collec-
lively"
Franklin, whose learning, wisdom and
virtue are a part of the priceless legacy
beQueathed to US from the revolutionary
days. expressed the same idea In even
stronger language when he said:
"Justice is as strictly due between
neighbor nations as between neighbor
citizens. A highWayman Is as much q
robber when he plumbers in a gang as
when singly: and the nation that makes
an unjust war Is only a great gang