Willmar tribune., 1900-05-09

y LIN ~ III l.'ll lTlsRl1BU n
olution declaring that the Philippine )
islands should not become an integral
part Of the republic, and that the in
habitants, Of those islands should not
become citizens of this republic. The
inhabitants of these islands were thus
told that they never could have The
benefit of our Declaration OF Independ-
ence, nor the blessings of free govern
ment. On the same day the admins
tration had the senate vote down the
Bacon resolution which declared that
when the Philippine people should es-
tablish a stable government. which in
our judgment was worthy Of recogni-
ton, that then we would withdraw
from the islands on such terms as
might be just and leave the people to
govern themselves. Here the admin
istration practically said to the Fill
pinos that we intended to hold AMI
govern and tax them by brute force,
against their will and without repre-
sentation. The Bacon resolution kept
matters in our own hands. II the
Filipinos establish a stable govern
ment which in our judgment is worthy
OF recognition, then why should they
not have their independence? The
Mckinley administration has reversed
the history. and is seeking to destroy
the genius Of our government. It is
not a question OF expansion-not a
question Of growth-it is simply a
question Of imperialism and militar-
ism. Shall we have government by
brute force, or shall we stand by the
Declaration Of Independence and have
government by the consent OF the gov
erned.
What Jefferson Would Do.
In order to answer the question as to
what Jefferson would do if he were
here with us, let US see what was the
bent Of his mind, what were his lead
ing characteristics as seen in the brief
glance we have taken, and how far has
he expressed his views on the ques-
tions which confront US. First, he
was one OF the most radical men of
his day, and was the most progressive
and aggressive politician and states
man of that period. He was neutral
in nothing, he never trimmed, he never
lodged, he never straddled; he never
asked whether measure was popular,
but whether it was just and eternally
right. He was never silenced by sal
ary, or self-interest. and did not be-
long to that class Of men who fear to
do their duty as citizens lest it hurt
their business. He never asked:
What do the rich want?" but always
What do the people need?" Second,
he was never negative, but always pos
tive. He went forward, he shaped, he
created. He was not anti-he was
pro-but his pro made the anti unnec-
essary. Third, from his utterances it
is clear that he would impeach and
drive into eternal disgrace those judges
who have usurped the functions of the
legislative and executive departments
by establishing government by in
junction, and depriving the citizen Of
his constitutional rights and tramp
ing trial by jury under foot. He
would put such further safe
guards around trial by jury as to pre-
serve it inviolate for all times. Fourth
he would punish by proper proceedings
all those men who use the military
forces SO as to violate the rights OF
American citizens, and instead OF build
ing up great military system after
the manner Of Mckinley for the bene-
fit OF contractors. the employment OF
rich mems sons. and the convenience
OF corporations, he would reduce the
army to the actual needs of the
country. Fifth. he would coin both
silver and gold on like terms, because
he agreed with Hamilton that one
metal alone made too narrow a basis
Of money for the welfare OF the people
He would at once have the government
resume the governmental prerogative
of issuing whatever paper money 1t
was necessary to issue, for he was bit
terly opposed to banks of issue. He
would denounce the financial bill late
ly passed by Congress as a crime
against a free people. This measure
was the scrofulous infant that was
born OF liason between the followers
Of Mckinley and of Palmer and Buck
ner.
Let me say by way of parenthesis
that I question no mans right to sup
port Mckinley or to follow Palmer and
Buckner, excellent men have done this
but do insist that a decent regard
for truth. for history, and for the
memory of the mighty dead should
prevent him from then calling himself
a Jefersonian Democrat.
He Would Guard Liberty.
9Th. Jefferson would encourage the
Filipino people In establishing an in.
dependent government, and probably
give them such protection as we give
the South American republic. dc
not believe that he would consider IL
wise to incorporate them into our sys.
tenn as citizens, and he would consider
1t a crime to hold them in any othe,
way by force, just as Mckinley once
said 1t would be. Mckinley saw plain
duty and wayered-Jefferson not only
saw but conquered.
7th. He would send a message o1
goodwill and moral support to the twc
South African Republics that are now
fighting for existence. We would not