Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-07-06

| that all governments instituted among
men derive their just powers from the
consent of the governed; that any gov
eminent not based upon the consent OF
the governed is tyranny; and that to
impose upon any pc ople government OF
| force l. 10 substitute the methods oil I'M
perialism for those OF republic.
| We hold that the constitution follows
| the flag, and denOunce thst doctrine
that an Executive or Congress deriving
| their existence and their powers from
| the constitution can exercise lawful au-
| thority beyond it, or IN violation oil It.
| We assert that no nstion Can long en-
dure half republic and half empire, and
we warn the American people that i'm
perislism abroad will lead quickly and
Inevitably to despotism at home.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
ciples, we denounce the Porto Rico law
enacted by republican Congress
against the protest and opposition OF
the democratic minority, as bold and
| open violation OF the nations organic
law an6 fragrant breach of the nation
al good faith. Itimposes upon the peo-
pie of Porto Rico government with
out their consent, and taxation
without representation. 1t dishonors
the American people by repudiating
Solemn pledge made 10 their behalf by
the Commanding General o. our Army,
which the Porto Ricsns welcomed to
peaceful and unreaisted occupation OF
their land. 1t doomed to poverty and
distress people whose helplesness APP
peals with peculiar force to our justice
and msgnanimity.
10 this, The first act OF ts imperialistic
programme, the republican party seeks
TO commit the United States to colon
ia policy, INCONSISTENT with republican
institutions and condemned by the Su-
preme Court 10 mum srous decisions.
We demand the prompt and honest
fulallment OF our pledge to the Cuban
people and the world that tins United
States has no dispo tion nor intention
to exercise sovereignty, Jurisdiction
or control over the Island OF Cuba, ex-
cept for its pac6catlou. The war end
ed nearly two years ago, profound peace
reigns over all the island, and still the
Administration keeps the government
of the island from its people, while
l republican carpetbsg officials plumber
tits revenues and exploit the colonial
theory to the disgrace of the American
people.
We condemn and denounce the
Philippine policy of the present Admin
aistratiOn. 1t has embroiled the Repub-
lie 10 an unnecessary war, sacrificed tbe
lives OF many OF its noblest sons, and
placed the United States, previouf-
ly known and applsudeG throughout
the world as the champion OF freedom in
the false and un-American position OF
crushing with military force the efforts
OF our former allies to achieve liberty
and self-government. The FilipinOs
cannot be citizens without endangering
our civilization. They cannot be sub
jects without imperiling our form of
government; and as we are not willing to
surrender our ciyiliz ition or to convert
the Republic into an empire, we favor
an Immediate declaration of the nations
purpose to give to the Filipinos-first a
stable form OF government; second indie
pendence; and third, protection from
outside interference, such as has been
tgiyen for nearly a century to the repub-
lics OF Central and South America.
The greedy commercialism which die
tsted the Philippine policy OF the re
publican administration attempts JUS
tify it with the plea that it will pay, but
even this sordid and unworthy plea fills
when brought to the test of facts. The
war OF ''crimnal aggression" against the
Filipiuos, entailing an annual expense
OF many millions, has already cost more
than any possible profit that could &C.
crue from the entire Philippine trade
for years to come. Furthermore, when
trade is extended at the expense of lib
erty, the price is always too high.
We are not opposed to territorial ex-
pansion, when il takes 10 desirable ter
ritory which can be erected into States
into the Union, and whose people ere
willing and ft to become American
citizens. We favor trade expansion by
every peaceful and legitimate means
But we are unalterably opposed to the
Selling or purchasing of distant islands
to be governed outside the Constitution
and whose people can never become
citizens.
We are in favor of extending the re-
public's influence among the nations,
but believe that influence should be eX-
tended not by force and violence, but
through the persuasive powers of
high and honorable example.
The importance OF other questions
now pending before the American peo-
pie is in no wise diminished, and the
| democratic party takes no backward
| step from its position on them. But the
| burning issue OF imperialism growing
out of the Spanish war involves the
very existence of the republic and the
| destruction OF our free institutions. We
regard it as the paramount issue OF the
campaign.
The declaration 10 the republican
platform adopted at the Philadelphia
convention held 10 June, 1900, that the
republican party steadfastly adhered to
the policy announced in the Monroe
Doctrine is manifestly insincere aud de-
cepiiye. This profession is contradict
ed by the svowed policy Of hat party
10 opposition to the spirit OF the Mon
roe Doctrine to acquire and hold sover-
eighty over large areas of territory and
large numbers of people 10 the Eastern
Hemisphere.
We insist on the strict maintenance
Of the Monroe Doctrine and on all its
integrity, both in letter and spirit, as
necessary to prevent the extension OF
European authority on this continent
and as essential to our supremacy 10
American affairs. At the same time we
declare that no American people shall
ever be- held by force in unwilling sub
lection to European authority.
We oppose militsrism. 1t means
conquest abroad aod intimidation and
oppression at home. 1t means the