The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-09-26

buying the islands. Ii is certainly NOT
Imperialism to try to get possession OF
the property we bought. If Mckinley
is an imperialist Bryan is an imperial
ist, because they both favored the pur-
chase of the Philippines. Mckinley Is
only trying TO get possession of the
property which Mr.. Bryan authorized
him to buy. Was Bryan in urging the
purchase of the Philippines trying to
make a campaign issue? Was he try
ing to put the Republican party IN a
hole? No hole that the Democratic
party can dig is big enough to hold
the Republican party this fall. Have
we paid $40, 100000 for campaign is
sue for the Democratic party?
CONGRESS WILL DECIDE.
LAS TO what will be done with the ISL
ands after we get possession, that will
be for congress to decide and not for
Bryan or Mckinley, If either is elected
president. Bryan says he will call con-
gress together in extra session to frame
a bill for the independent government
of the people of the Philippines. Nc
Kinley says he will put down the rebel
lion and get possession and the con-
gress can deal with the matter, and in
the meantime one tribe In the Philip
pines, the Tagals, are hoping and pray
ing that Bryan will be elected and
straining every nerve to hold out until
after election.
THE Democrats did the same thing
in 1864. They declared the war fall
I;,IAnDroI,In
They nominated a candidate upon this
issue. The Republicans renominated
Lincoln, and declared for the prosecu-
tior of the war. He went to the polls
upon that ISSUE and the Confederates
kept up the fight, hoping that the DEM
ocratic party would win. Lincoln was
elected and the southern Confederacy
went to pieces within 40 days after his
Inauguration. If the Democratic party
had stood square up to the war in the
campaign of 1864 Lee would have sur
rendered six months before he did. All
that kept the southern Confederacy to-
gether during its last days was the
hope of Democratic victory, and all that
keeps the Philippine rebellion together
now is the promised aid Of the Demo-
cratic party if successful at the polls
in November.
RESPONSIBILITY PLACED.
"How can Bryan and his colleagues,
who openly declare their intention, If
successful, to give terms to Aguinaldo,
escape the responsibility for our SOL
diers slaughtered during this cam
paign? | know that the custom OF crit
icising the administration is prevalent
IN campaigns. l know that great lati-
tudo is allowed in criticism, but where
overtures are held out to public enc
mics with whom we are at war it ceases
to be legitimate criticism, and ought
to be condemned severely at the polls.
1T is permissible to oppose the ad-
ministration In all Internal matters
that do not affect our relations with
other countries, but it is un-American
and disloyal to extend sympathy and
promise aid TO people with whom we
are at war. Had there been a presi-
Dental campaign on in 1898 it would
have been equally as proper for Bryan
to have declared his intention to con-
vene congress for the purpose Of stop
ping hostilities with Spain as for him
row to declare his intention, If elected,
to stop the war with Aguinaldo and his
followers. They are public enemies,
and a man who extends sympathy ana
encouragement TO a public enemy is
hardly q safe and proper man to elect
presideut'of the United States.
ut makes no difference whether the
president happens to be a Republican
or a Democrat, no law abiding citizen
can afford to throw obstacles in his
path We should at all times present
a united front to the enemy. We should
not encourage him by dissensions at
home. II the Democratic national con-
vention had declared for a vigorous
prosecution of the war 1t would have
been over by this time, The last Phil
ippine soldier, hopeless of aid through
political dissenslons In this country,
would have thrown down his gun In
despair
QUESTION OF HONOR.
- am surprised that the Democrats
have raised this question. Our people
are a peaceful people and love not war,
but they have never halted nor hesi-
tated in front of the enemy. The east
and the west may divide upon finance,
but they will never divide upon o ques-
tion that affects the honor Of the coun-
try. We could not, without dishonor,
withdraw our soldiers from the Philip
pines so long as there is a man in arms
against our Gag. We did not make war
on the Philippines. We acquired the
islands legitimately. AS soon as we
had done so Aguinaldo undertook to
drive us away. Had we struck our
colors and left the islands, does any
one doubt that Bryan would now be
charging US with cowardice and claim
ing that we should have done Just what
we are doing?
I'VE are accused of favoring expan-
sion. Bryan and his followers are op-
posed to expansion. Expansion Is
growth. The party that will be in con-
troll In this country must keep pace
with the march Of events. The coun-
try has expanded, grown. The ideas
and ambitions OF our people have
grown; everything has expanded but
the Democratic party That is their
trouble They still tread in the foot
steps Of their forefathers. They will
not realize the wonderful growth and
expansion of the country. Nor will
they appreciate the need of more terri
tory and greater markets for our sur
plus products. They are an old party.
behind the date, back number. There
is not room in the Democratic party for
the growing energy. zeal and pluck of
our new America The Democratic
party is party Of the past They have