The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-28

Duluth. Mimi, August 27.--The largest
gathering to listen to political speech
that ever assembled in Duluth. this
evening heard Charles A. Towne, who
opened the campaign in lengthy ad
dress. in which he replied TO the recent
speech OF Governor Roosevelt, delivered
at st. Paul on the occasion of the Ma.
tional convention Of the league OF re-
publican clubs, and arraigned the admin
istrstion's policy in the Philippines. The
audience, which comprised persons OF
all shades of political belief and many
scores of women. listened attentively to
the orators remarks for more than two
hours. and frequently throughout the
discourse the applause was deafening
The speech. which will be used as a
campaign document is considered as MIR.
Towne's greatest political effort. At It's
conclusion he was rendered an ovation
by the multitude.
Mr.. Towne opened by expressing a lack
OF patience with anyone who believed
in his party, right or wrong" or any
president right or wrong, considering
the latter simply a statement of divine
right of kings lie then said; The issue
of first moment. the one that temporarily
whether the Republic itself Is to con-
tinue. Because OF the magnitude Of this
question. which nat only the demo
cratic platform but the public concern
declares 10 be the paramount issue OF
the campaign: and because / deign 70
use good part of this address in COM
menting upon an address delivered at
St Paul recently by the republican can
didate for vice president. | shall devote
the greater part Of the time tonight to
the consideration OF imperialism. 1t is
one of the paradoxes OF history that a
policy OF subiugation and conquest should
have been the inheritance OF war OF
liberation
He then reviewed AZ some length tho
causes leading up to and the chief events
OF the Spanish war, He took UP the in-
surrection in the Philippines. which had
been raging for many years. sketching
1t briefly and telling how brilliantly
Dewey and his sailors defeated the Span
ish fleet in Manila bay. and continued
II was thus. as a mere incident In the
prosecution of our war for he liberation
of Cuba, that we found ourselves In the
Philippine Islands. II is claimed that
circumstances We're such as TO compel
us with due regard to our interests and
our International duty to pursle In those
islands thereafter the policy for which
the administration has become respon-
sible. A brief explanation, however. OF
these circumstances VIII suffice TO show
that the policy adopted was not ony UNI
necessary but that it was In the highest
degree Instantaneous to the United
States. while involving the utmost cru
city and Injustice towards the inhabi-
tants Of those islands, and violating
every principle OF good faith and the hon
orable traditions of American diplom-
acy.
Afla- ega,n rafarring IN tho diTarant
situations in CUBE and the Philippines.
he said: But the statement that We
never promised the Flipnos their inde-
pendence conveys a false impression.
Our conduct was such as to estop an
honorable nation from using such a plea
as a justification or excuse for attempl-
ing 10 suhiugate the islands. The Fill
iplnos made no secret u their object
in rebellion against the Spanish govern
ment. What theY desired TO do was TO
form a government Of their own aud
to be absolutely indendent OF Spain.
The representatives OF the United States
in the East knew this object perfectly
we'll, The Filiplnos proclaimed it to the
world.
1t Is important TO bear in mind that the
Filipino republic established under the
leadership OF Aguinaldo was government
In fact. recognized throughout the Island
OF Luzon and several adjoining islands 10
the south, capable OF preserving order
collecting taxes, maintaining education
and a complete system OF public adminis-
tration. raising and supporting an army
which fer q considerable period numbered
$4,000 men, and conducting war according
TO the humane principles OF modern In
ternational law.
II Is the fashian among apologists FOL
the administrators policy TO represen
the Filpinos as little short OF barbar!ans
and eayages and as wholly incapacltated
Tor the task Of self-government, Fortu-
nately the evidence on THE subject Ia
readily accessible and overwhelming II
quantity and certainty.
He quoted from Lieutenant John n
Ford Of the United States navy, General
Charles A. King United States army and
others in support OF his statement. Con.
tinulng. he sid:
II is impossible 90 determine the exact
time at which the authorities at Washing,
ton decided to take forelble possession ni
the Philippine islands. II Is clear thai
Admiral Dewey for a considerable period
after the battle OF Nlnila bay had -
knowledge OF such an Intention. Genera
Anderson who took command OF our land
forces In the islands about July I, 1898
In an article in the North American Re.
view for February. 1900 says ~ wac Chs
first to tell Admiral Dewey that there was
any disposition on the part OF the Ameri.
csn people to hold the Philippines II they
were captured"
There viii be little dissent from the
proposition that n he came to Manil
With such knowledge, tho most obyiou
considerations OF Justice and fairness re.
orired that the Flinnos be speedily nc.
uusinted with II. yei they were permit.
tFdrto indulge all The Illusion 81 hope frou
our supposed friendlineSs TO their plan
81 Independence with which their nrocla,
nations had made us Familiar.
Our opponents are In the habit OF re