The Portland daily press., 1900-08-27

means success for them. II the TagaIos
quit lighting and take the oath of alle-
glance on that moment the paramount
issue" is dead and so is this Democracy.
In this contest the Democrats stake their
all on the continuance OF lighting. 1t
strikes one as oil that a great party
should base its hopes on the kIIling and
wound1ng of cur troops Win not a
flame OF patriotism rise up over the
land which will testify that at all
hazards we win stand by the flag; that
come what may, we VIII not turn our
backs on the Philippines, a disgraced
and dishonored nationY
What we may do with the Philippines
ultimately Is not the question. The DEM
oeratic platform favors tan Immediate
declaration of the nations purpose to
give TO the Filipinos, first a stable form
OF government; second, independence,
and third protection from outside in
terference such as has been given for
nearly century to the republics of Cen
traI and South America
In the list OF things to be done first
comes "a suitable form of government -
We are trying to give them that now.
II we retain them the third clause,
protection will necessarily follow.
Why If we do not retain them we should
burden ouselves with protecting them
Is not clearly perceptible. The modern
doctrine seems to be that we may not
take foreign territory for our own, but
that whenever a Republic is born, we
must stand as its protector. Why should
we become the Don Qufxote OF the
worldly Let Us at least be honest and
when we say THAI the Philippines shall
be independent let Us say so meaning
what the word implies. Let us have no
entangling alliances, nor stand spon-
sor for the people who are aliens and
whose abiding place is remote from
our continent.
Disguise 1t as you may, the real ques-
tion before the people is whether the
armies of the United States should be
withdrawn at once, now and forever,
and the islands turned over to the
Tagalos.
Mr.. Bryan would, as commander IN
chief, have the power to recall the army
and il he did, he would let loose the
horrors of a terrible revoIutIon. We
should not grant the Philippines immedi-
ate independence because we have as
sumed treaty obligations to the
world which we mus t comply with. We
have also assumed obligations to the
friendly Filipinos and we should not
abandon them to dreadful fate. We
have promised these people a stable gov
ernment and we ought to give is to them.
We have property intere IN the ISL
ands which should be protscted. 1t Is
desirable for us to get a foothoid IN the
east SO as to foster and increase our
commerce. We believe that association
with US will elevate the Filipino and
improve his condition.
am not defending the Republican
party in this article, but 1 am defend
Ing William Mckinley. He has been sub
jected to more abuse than any Presi-
dent ever was, and he has deserved it as
little as any one ever did. In the
most difficult period of our history he
has proved himself equal to all the de-
mands upon him. lie has acted with an
eye single to the good of the country.
The war with Spain was not of the
Presidents seeking, but he met the issue
with exalted courage. In diplomacy he
displayed qualities OF the highest order
and in military affairs he was remark
ably successful. He eminentIy deserves
reelection.
(Signed) Charles DENLY.