The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-08-16

HON WILLIAM
pathy is due to the fact that, as stated in
cur platform, We believe in the principle
OF self-gOvernment and reject. as did our
fOrefathers, the claims Of monarchy.
Imperialism Not Ex pansiOn.
Our opponents, conscious of the weak
ness of their cause. seek to confuse i'm
perialism with expansion, and have even
dared to claim jefferson as a supporter
of their policy. jefferson spoke so freely
and used language with such precision
that no one can be ignorant of his views.
On one occasion he declared: IF there
be one principle more deeply rooted than
any other in the mind of every American,
it is that we should have nOthiug to do
with conquest" And again he said:
Conquest is not in our principles; 1t is
inconsistent with our government
The fOrcible annexation Of territory to
be governed by arbitrary power, differs
as much from the acquisition of terri
tory to be built up into states as mon
archy differs from democracy. The
Democratic party does not oppose expan-
sion, when expansion enlarges the area
Of the republic and Incorporates land
which can be settled by American citi-
zens, or adds to our population people
who are willing to become citizens and
are capable Of discharging their duties
US such. The acquisition Of the Louisi-
ana territory, Florida, Texas and other
to time, enlarged the republic, and the
constitution followed the flag into the
new territory. 1t is now proposed to
seize upon distant territory already more
densely populated than our own country,
and to force upon the people govern
! ment, for which there is no warrant in
our constitution or our laws. Even the
argument that this earth belongs to those
who desire to cultivate it and have the
physical power to acquire it cannot be
invoked to justify the appropriation Of
the Philippine Islands by the United
States. for il the islands We're uninhab-
, tied American citizens would not be will
ing to go there and till the soil. The
white race will not live SO near the equa-
tor.
A colonial policy means that we shall
send to the Philippines n few traders. a
few task masters and few Office-hold
ers. and an army large enough to support
the authority Of small fraction of the
people while they rule the natives.
II We have an imperial policy we must
have a large standing army rs its nat
ural and necessary complement. The
spirit which will justify the fOrcible an
nexatiOn OF the Philippine Islands will
justify the seizure of other islands and
the domination of other people, and
wars Of conquest We can expect GER
tain. if not rapid growth Of our military
establishment. That large permanent
increase in our regular army is intended
by the Re publican leaders is not a mere
matter Of conjecture, but matter of
fact.
Menace of Big Army.
A large standing army is not only Pc
cuniary burden to the people and, if
accompanied by compulsory service, n
constant source of irritation, but it is
ever Il menace to a Republican form of
government. 4 small standing army and
u well-equipped and well-disciplined State
militia are sufficient in ordinary times.
and in any emergency the nation should
in the future as in the past place its de-
pendence upon the volunteers who come
from all occupations at their country's
call and return to productive labor when
their services are no longer required
men who fight when the country needs
fighters and work when the country needs
workers.
The Republican platform assumes that
the Philippine Islands will be retained
under American sovereignty, and we have
right to demand Of the Republican lead
ers a discussion of the future status of
the Filipino. Is he to be a citizen or a
subject? Are we to bring into the body
polite eight or ten million Asiatics, so
different from us in race and history that
amalgamatiOn is impossible! Are they
to share with us in making the laws and
shaping the destiny of this nation? No
Republican Of prominence has been bold
enough to advocate such q proposition.
The Democratic platform describes the
situation when it says that the Filipinos
cannot be citizens without endangering
our civilization. Who will dispute it?
And what is the alternative! If the
Filipino is not to be citizen. shall we
make him subject? On that question
the Democratic platform speaks with
emphasis. 1t declares that the Filipino
cannot be a subject without endangering
our form Of government. A republic can
have no subjects.
The whole difference between a mon
archy and republic may be summed up
in one sentence. In a monarchy the king
gives to the people what he believes to be
good government; in republic the peo-
pie secure for themselves what they be-
lieye to be . good government. The Re
publican party has accepted the EURO
pean idea and planted itself upon the
ground taken by George l |. and by every
ruler who distrusts the capacity of the
people for self-g0yernment or denies them
a voice in their own affairs.
Republicans Fear to Lecisinte.
The Republican platform promises that
snme measure Of government is to
he given to the Filipinos by law: but.
even this pledge is not fulfilled. Nearly
sixteen months elapsed after the ratiiicl-
tion of the treaty before the adjournment
of Congress last June, and yet no law
was passed dealing with the Philippine
situation. The will of the President has
been the only law in the Philippine
Islands wherever the American authority
extends. Why does the Republican party
hesitate to legislate upon the Philippine
question? Because a law would disclose
the radical departure from history and
precedent contemplated by those who
of protest which greeted the Porto Rican
bill was an indication Of what may be
expected when the American people are
brought face to face with legislation
upon this subject. Ii the Porto Ricans,
who welcome annexation, are To he de-
MED the guarantees OF our constitution,
what is to he the lot Of the Filipinos, who
resisted our authority? Ii secret intlu-
ences could compel u disregard of our
plain duty toward friendly people. living
near our shores. what treatment will
those same influences provide for un-
friendly people 1000 miles away3 If, in
this country. where the people have the
right to vote. Republican leaders dare not
take the side Of the people against the
great monopOlies which have grown up
within the last few years, how can they
be trusted to protect the Filipin0s from
the corporations which are waiting to
dcspOil the islands?
What Is our title to the Philippine
Islands2 Do We hold them by treaty or
by conquest? Did We buy them or did |
We take them? Did we purchase the |