Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-09-25
Mr.. Hoar, Patriot ana Politician.

IN the L nlIeQ SLdtes senate April
II, 1900. Senator Hoar said, Gas shown
by the Congressional Record. page
1886: IL believe that, if not today
or tomorrow, yet at an early day,
better knowledge of the facts, the
light of experience, the love of liberty
and Justice which still burns in the
heads OF the repu blican masses in
this country, will bring that party
back to the principles and policy upon
which it planted itself in the Begin
ming. We are told that if we oppose
the policy of our imperialistic and
expanding friends we are bound to
sug gest some policy of our own as
substitute for theirs. We are asked
what we would do in this difficult
emergency. 1t is question not
difficult to answer. | for one am
ready to answer it.
First. 1 would declare now that
we would not take these islands to
govern them against their will.
Second. l would reject a cession of
sovereignty which implies that sover-
eighty may be bought and sold
without the consent of the people.
Spain had no rightful sovereignty
over the Philippine islands. She could
not rightfully sell them to us. We
could not rightfully buy them from
her.
Third. | would require all for
eign governments to keep out of these
islands.
Fourth. would offer to the people
of the Philippines our help in main
tanning order until they have a reas-
enable opportunity to establish gov
eminent of their own.
Fifth. l would aid them by adj
vice, if they desire it, to set up free
and independent government.
Sixth. l would invite all great
powers of Europe to unite in an agree
ment that that independence Shall
not be interfered with by us. by
themselves. or by any one of them
with the consent of the others. AS
to this l am not so sure. ! should
like quite as well to tell it is not to be
done whether they consent or not.
Seventh. / would declare that
the United States would enforce
the same doctrine as applicable
to the Philippines that we de-
clare as to Mexico and Haiti and
the South American republics. II is
true that the Monroe doctrine, a doc
trine based largely upon our regard
for our own interest. is not applicable
either in terms or in principle to
distant Asiatic territory. But I'M
doubtedly. having driven out Spain,
we are bound and have the right to
secure for the people we have lioerat-
ed an opportunity, undisturbed and
in peace, to establish a new govern
ment for themselves.
Eighth. would then, in q not
distant future, leave them to work
out their own salvation, as every
nation on earth from the beginning of
time has wrought out its own saliva
ton. Let them work out their own
salvation, as our own ancestors
slowly and in long centuries wrought
out theirs; as Germany, as Switzer-
land. as France, in briefer periods.
wrought out theirs-all of them with
in a century. some of them within the
life of q generation. To attempt to
impose freedom from without on any
people is to disregard all the lessons
Of history. 1t is to attempt
B. A gift of that which IS not 10 be given
' BY Ill the blended powers OF earth and
heaven
Ninth. l would strike out of our
legislation the oath of allegiance to US
and substitute an oath Of allegiance to
their own country"
Aug. IL Senator Hoar. referring to
Mr.. Bryan's pledge at indianapolis to
convene congress. if
elected, with q view TO declaring the
of the Philippines. said:
HE Bryan says if he is elected
ne shall cali an extra session at once
md propose to congress to give up the
Philippines to their own people. He
5 too intelligent not to know very
veil that this talk is the idlest and
most ridiculous nonsense"
There is a vast difference between
DIR. Hoar as patriot and Mr.. Hoar as