Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-06


without representation. 1t dishonors
the American people by regulating q
solemn pledge made in their behalf by
the commanding general of our army
which the Puerto Ricans welcomed to a
peaceful and unresisted occupation OF
their land. 1t doomed to poverty anc
distress people whose heIplessness APP
pcals with peculiar force to our justice
ana magnanimity.
In this, the first act of its imperial
istic program, the Republican party
seeks to commit the United States tc
a colonial policy, Inconsistent with Re
publican Institutions and condemned
by the supreme court in numerous de-
cisions.
| We demand the prompt and honest
fulflment of our pledge to the Cuban
| people and the world that the United
States has no disposition nor intention
to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or
control over the island of Cuba, except
for its pacfication. The war ended
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
Republican carpet bag officials plum
|
NAL theory to the disgrace of the
American people.
| We condemn and denounce the Phil
/ ippine policy Of the present administra-
| ton. 1t has involved the republic in
unnecessary war, sacrifices the lives Of
| many Of our noblest sons and placed
the United States, previously known
and applaudcd throughout the world al
the champion of freedom, in the false
and un-Amcrican position Of crushing
with military force the efforts of our
former allies to achieve liberty and
self government.
The Fiipinus cannot be citizens with
out cndangcring our civilization, they
cannot be subjects without imperillinG
| our form Of government ana az we are
not willing to surrender our civilization
or to convert the republic into an en-
pirc we favor an immediate declaration
~ the nations purpose to give To the
FiIipinos first. q stable form Of govern
ment. second. Independence; third, pro-
lection from outside Interference such
as has been given for nearly a century
to the republics Of Central ana South
America.
The greedy commcrcialism which die
tatcd the Philippine policy Of the Re
publican administration attempts trl
Justify it with the plea that it will pay
hut even this sordid ana unworthy Plea
fails when brought to the test Of facts
The war If criminal aggression against
the FiIipinus. cntailing an annual ex-
p"nsc of many millions has already
cost more than any possible profit that
could accrue from the entire Philippine
trade for years to come. Furthermore
when trade is extended at the expense
IF liberty th" price ~ always too high |
We are not opposed to territorial OK
pansiun when it takes in desirable ter
ritory which can be erected into states |
in thc Union ana whose people are
willing ana fix Ia become American cit |
liens.
We favor expansion Ivy every peace |
full and legitimate means. But we are
unaitcrably opposed tx Selling NJ rur- |
chasing nf distant islands to h" gov
erned outside the constitution ana |
whose people can never become citi- |
zcnS.
We are in favor Of extending the re-
public's influence among the nations
but believe that influence should To- ex-
tended. not ny force and violence but |
through the persuasive power of Il high |
and honorable example.
The Independence VI other qu, stiOnS |
now pending before the American pco- |
pIr is in no wise diminished ana tn |
Democratic party takes no backward |
step from its position IN them. hut the !
burning issue If imperialism growing |
out Of the Spanish war involves the |
Very existence of the republic ana the |
destruction Of our free institutions We |
regard il as the paramount issue NJ the |
campaign.
The declaration in tho Republican |
platform adopted at the Philadelphia |
convention held in June 1900 that the |
Republican party "stcadfastly adhcres |
To the policy announced in the Monroe |
doctrine" is manifcstly insncere ana |
deceptive. This profession is contra |
Girtcd NY the aNOWed policy of that
party in opposition e. the spirit of the |
Monroe doctrine to ACQUIRE ANA hold |
sovereignty over large areas of terri |
tory ana large numbers u people in the |
Eastern hemisphere.
We insist on the strict maintenance |
Of the Monroe doctrine and all its in |
tcgrity both in letter ana in spirit q |
necessary to prevent the extension Of |
European authority on this continent |
ana rs essential to our supremacy in |
American affairs. At the same time |
we declare that no American people |
shall ever be held by force in unwilling |
subsection to European authority.
We oppose mlitariSm. II means con
quest abroad and intimidation and op-
preston at home. 1t means the strong |
arm which has ever been fatal to free |
institutions. 1t is what millions Of our
citizens fed from in Europe. It will |
impose upon our peaCC-lnVing people a |
large standing army and unnecessary
burden Of taxation and q constant |
menace to their liberties. a small |
standing army and well disciplined |
state militia are amply sufficient in |
time of peace This republic has NJ
place for Il vast military service and |
consCription.
When the nation is in danger the vol |
Intccr is his Country's best defender
The National Guard Of the United |
States should ever be cherished in the |
patriotic hearts Of a free people. Such |
organizations are ever an element Of |
strength and fptV For first tiD1p |