The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-10-27


Il vas net provided for IN the treats
between Spain and the Uoiied States
No one ever imsgined, until On un
founded agitation arose Ia the United
States. that the Filipinos would mol
have been amply satisfied with any
temporary PROVISIONAL and eventually
permanent, government which the
United States would establish.
T. Another proposition is equally
clear. /. o. that the Inhabitants Of the
conquered or oeded territory have no
rights, strict. technical rights. under
the principles Of international Law, 90
intervene or 70 be heard IN she discus
sion Of d treaty Of cession which IN.
volyed the transfer OF she territory
they occupy
Mr.. Schurz complains that when
we began negotiations tor peace
with the common enemy. and our
Filipino allies asked to be heard IN these
Negotiation as 10 ihe future Of their
country, we slammed the door in their
faces as if they had no right 20 their
country at all
deny the fact shat shey asked 10 be
heard. Aguinaldo begged Us Lot to
yield the territory TO Spain or to sell 1t
In the open market preferably to
Eoglsnd. " He never asked 10 be heard,
bus he did have his emissary, Agonclllo,
at Washington, who fully and extrava-
gantly presented bis case in writing to
each Senator before the ratification Ct
she treaty
Bot irrespective Of the question Of
faot-what is the rnle in such oases'
Were the inhabitants Of that yast
territory ceded to US By she Louisiana
purchase heard9 Were the people who
resided in Alaska heard before its ces-
sion 20 Us:
Were the Alsatians heard before they
we're put under German domiDationf
The Alsatians might have objected
TO becoming Germanized the Alaskans
10 becoming Amerioanized and 50 on
through the whole category OF his
sorical examples. It shows shat such sn
argument leads 70 Ieductio ad ab-
surdum.
8. II the above proportions did not
necessarily, logically and legally flow
from conquest or cession Of territory
neither could ever be made. It would
be abortive.
There is such 8 thing as being SO
tender and delioate about the rights Of
people IS TO becone impracticable. via
ionary and piAtonic. We are not living
in the millennium yet Human rights
are protected by human laws. and
when our laws are based upon the
principles OF the greatest good for the
greatest number, we approach as near
so perfection as mortals have been yet
able 20 attain.
These anti.imperialists are so re-
fined in some parts Of their reasoning
shat they argue Themselves out Of all
schemes of political salvation.
6. 10 all cessions or conquests OF
new territory there are Involved
many great. delicate and impoftsot
Notwithstanding she fundamental
rights OF life. liberty and property.
But the rule Of international law is
unquestiousble. With purchase OF
new territory is she accompanying
right OF debating the fM n Of she new
govern uent. suDjeot only 60 the right
Of expatEiatiof
II the oonqueror or pr chaser Of new
territory is civilized, just aud sensible
be will not abuse his privileges Oiyi'
lization will follow the new ownership.
II he is not be will make for his new
subjects q hard life, and they in retr 1
will prevent him from enjoying 3 bed
of roses. This Is history this is hu-
man nature. To read the utterances Of
some anti-inperialists one would link
that the American nation was about 90
easlave the inhabitants Of the Philip.
pine Islands. or 70 visit some condign
punishmens upon them.
Z mother may with ~ much reason
shrink from the responsibility Of reS =
ing her first child because Of the novel
ty of toe situation, as this nation
should flee from meeting the response
bilitles Of any question b0r' ont Of nor
NAL conditions.
Does not everyone know that the 70.
ture. the prosperity and happiness OF
the Filipiuoa will bepromoted and en-
hanced under the influences Of any gov
ernment which the Congress Of the
United States may impose? Does any
sensible man think that any hard fate
awaits these people st our hands;
The Philippine Islands are ours they
will remain so so our advantage. and
future political, moral, physical, reli
Qious and commercial benefit Of theil
people. We will have no adopted child
rem that we feel ashamed Of, aud non'
that will not love as
Among other bOgies to enforce sheil
party shibboleth the old attempted ss
gument Of the evils Of G standing
army" is revsmped. and Mr.. Bryan II
his letter Of acceptance says;
IF we have an imperial policy w
must have large standing army as it'
natural and necessary complement
A large standing army is not only
pecuniary burden 30 she people, aud II
accompanied BY compulsory service q
constant source Of irritation, bat It Il
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