Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1900-08-24

man rights.
Some argue that American rule In the
-nuippine Islands VIII result In the
better education OF the Fnipinos. BE
not deceived. IL We expect TO main
tain colonial policy. we shall not find
| ~ 10 our advantage TO educate the peO-
pie. The educated Fillpinos are now
| N revolt against us. and the most igno-
rant ones have made the least resist
ence TO our domination. IL we are tn
Govern them without their consent and
give them no voice IN determining the
taxes which they must pay. we dare not
1 educate them. lest they learn to read
the Declaration OF Independence and
the Constitution OF the United States
ana mock us for our Inconsistency.
The principal arguments, however.
advanced by those who enter upon n
defense OF Imperialism are:
| f1rst-Thet we must improve the
present opportunity to become a world
power and enter into International poll
/ tics.
second-That our commercial inter
ests In the Philippine Islands and i'm the
orient make II necessary for us TO hold
the islands permanently
| Thrd-That the spread OF the Chris
tian religion will be facilitated by a CO.
tonial policy.
Fourth-That there is no honorable
retreat from the position which the ma
ton has taken.
The first argument Is addressed TO the
nations pride and the second to the
nations pocket-book The third IA In
tended for the church member and the
fourth foe the partisan.
THE TRADE ASPECT OF THE
QUESTION.
We carry on trade to-day with every
| part OF the world. and our commerce
nss EXPANDED more rapidly than the
commerce OF any European empire. We
DO not own Japan or China, but we
rsoe win their people. We have not
absorbed the republics OF Central and
south America. but we trade with them.
IL mas not been necessary TO have any
political connections with Canada or
the nations OF Europe In order TO trade
with them. Trade cannot be perma-
nently profitable unless IL IL voluntary.
When trade In secured by force th,
cost or securing IL and retaining Il must
De taken out OF the profits. and the
prohts are never large enough to cover
the expense. Such system would
never De defended but for the fact that
shs sspepRs N horne by al the people.
| while tRss profits ore entoxed T. an.
low.
Imperialism wouh hs profitable ~
| the army contractors, 81 would be pro
ntable to the ship-owners, who would
carry live soldiers to the Phiiippines
and bring dead soldiers back; Il would
De profitable to those who would seize
upon the franchises. and IL would be
prontable TO the officials whose salaries
would be fixed here and paid over
there: but 90 the farmer. TO the |. Dor
Ing man. and to the vast majority OF
shose engaged In other occupations IL
would bring expenditure without return
and risk without reward
Farmers and leboring men have. as a
rule. small incomes and. under systems
which place the tax upon consumption
pay more than their fair share OF the
expenses OF government. Thus the
very people who receive least benefit
from imperialism will be injured most
by the military burdens which accom-
pany IT,
In addition TO the evils which he and
me farmer share In common. the labor
ing man VIII be the first 10 suffer N
Oriental subjects seek work In the
United states: the first TO suffer OF
american capital leaves our shores to
employ Oriental labor In the Philip-
pines to supply the trade OF China and
Japan; the first TO suffer from the vio-
ience which the military spirit arouses
AND the nrst to suffer when the methods
or Imperialism are applied TO our own
government.
IL IN not strange. therefore that the
labor organizations have been quick TO
note the approach OF these dangers and
prompt To protest against both mllitar-
ism and Imperialism.
THE GUNPOwDER GOSPEL.
The pecuniary argument. though
more effective with certain classes. In
not likely TO be used 10 often or pre-
scented with 80 much emphasis as the
fehgious argument. II what has been
termed the "gunpowder gospel" were
urged against the F'iliplnos only, Il
would be a sufficient answer to say
that majority OF the Filipinos are now.
members OF one branch OF the Chris
tian Church: but the principle involved
Is one OF much wider application and
challenges serious consideration
Inc religious argument varies in DOS
ttiVeness from a passive belief that
Providence delivered the Fllipinos into
our hands for their good and our glory
TO the exultation OF the minister who
said that we ought To thrash the ma =
ives (Filipinos) until they understood
who we are" and that every bullet
sent every cannon shot and every flag
waved means righteousness
we cannot approve OF this doctrine In
one place unless we are willing 10 apply
II everywhere. II there Is poison in
the blood OF the hand II will ultimately
reach the heart. IL IL equally true that
iorcioie Christianity. IL planted under
the American flag In the far-away ORR
ent. VIII sooner or later be transplant
ed upon American soil. II true Chris
sianity consists In carrying out In our
daily lives the teachings or Christ. who
VIII say that we are commanded to civ
llize with dynamite and proselyte with
the sword? He who would declare the
DIVINE Will must prove his authority
either by Holy Writ or by evidence OF a
special dispensation. The command
Go ye Into all the world and preach
the gospel to every creature" has no
Calling gun attachment When Jesus
visited village of Samaria and the
people refused to receive Him, some of
the disciples suggested that fire should
De called down from Heaven to avenge
the insult: but the Master rebuked
them. and said "Ye know not what
manner OF spirit ye are of: for the Son
or Man IL not come 10 destroy mems
hvee. but TO save them" Suppose Ho
had said: I'VE VIII thrash them until
they understand who we are" how Diff
ferent would have been the history OF
Christianity Compare, IL you Will
the staggering. bullying. brutal doc
trine or imperialism with the Golden
hule and the commandment. "Thou
hQI lArr