The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1900-08-17

settled by American citizens, or adds 70
our population people who are willing to
become citizens and are capable Of dis
charging their duties as such. The acqui-
sttion Of the ol honisiana tsrElt9ry FiOsida;
secured from time to tines enlarged the
republic, and the constitution followed the
flag into the new territory. 1t Is now pro-
posed to seize upon distant territory al
ready more densely populated than our own
country, and to force upon the people
rant in our constitution or our laws. Even
the argument that this earth belongs to
those who desire to cultivate Ii and have
be invoked to justify the appropriation of
the Philippine Islands by the United states.
If the islands were uninhabited American
and till the soil. The white race will not
live so near the equator. Other nations
have tried to colonize in the same LATITUDE
The Netherlands have controlled Java for
300 years. and yet to-day there are less
than so, ZOO people of European birth scat
tered among 25000,0oo natives. After
century and a half of English domination
in India, less than one-twentieth OF one
per cent of the people of India are OF Eng
British soldiers to take care. Of the tax
collectors. Spain has asserted title to the
Philippine islands for three centuries, and
yet, when our feet entered Manila bay,
there were less than 10000 Spaniards re-
siding in the Philippines.
colonial policy means that we shall
send to the philippines a lew IraQerS,ea rev
taskmasters and few Office holders, and
am army large enough to support tile au-
thority of a small fraction of the people
while they rule the natives.
Increase In Regular Army.
II we have an imperial policy we must
have a large standing army as Its natural
and necessary complement. The spirit
which will Justify the forcible annexation
of the Philippine islands Will justify the
seizure OF other Islands and the domtna-
lon Of Nfh No md wit n
quest we can expect certain, If not rapid,
growth of our military establishment.
That a large permanent increase In our
lican leaders is not mere matter of con-
lecture, but matter of fact. In his mes
sage of December 8, 1888, the president
ing army to 100000. In 1896 the army con-
tained about q, 900 men. Within two years
many, and a republican house of repre-
Sentatives complied with the request after
the Spanish treaty had been signed and
no country was at war with the United
States. If such an army is demanded
when an imperial policy is contemplated,
but not openly avowed, what may be ex-
an party by indorsing its policy at the polls?
A large standing army is not only a Pc
cuniary burden to the people and, If accom-
source of irritation, but it is ever a menace
to republican form of government. The
army is the personihcation of force, and
of the people and turn the thoughts of our
young men from the arts of peace to the
relies for its defense 1pon its CITIZENS is
more likely to be just than one which has
at call a large body of professional SOL
diers. small standing army and a we'll
equipped and well disciplined state militia
are sufficient in ordinary times, and in an
emergency the nation should in the future
as in the past place its dependence upon the
volunteers who come from all occupations
at their country S call and return to pro-
ducttve labor when their services are no
longer required-men who fight when the
country needs fighters and work when
the country needs workers.
Status of the FiIipInOs.
The republican platform assumes that
the Philippine islands will be retained un-
der American sovereignty, and we have
a 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 100000 or 900 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 a proposition.
The McEnery resolution, adopted by the
Of the treaty, expressly negatives this
dea. The democratic platform describes
the situation when it says that the Fill
DinoS cannot be citizens without endan-
gering our civilization. Who will dispute
I? And what is the alternative? If the
Filipino is not to be a citizen, shall we
he democratic platform speaks with en-
)haSis. 1t declares that the Filipino cam
lot be a subject without endangering our
Orm of government A republic can
lave no subjects. A subject is possible
)nly in a government resting upon force;
lie is unknown in government deriving
is Just powers from the consent of the
governed. The republican platform says
hat the largest measure of self-govern-
nent consistent with their welfare and
Tilipinos) by law" This is a strange doc
rine for a government which owes its
-ery existence to the men who offered
nent without consent and taxation with
tut representation. In what respect does
he position of the republican party differ
rom the position taken by the English
government in 1776? Did not the English
government promise a good government
o the colonists? What king ever prom
lie? Did not the English govern |
nent promise that the colOnists should |
ave the largest measure of self-govern-
nent consistent with their welfare and |
English duties? Did not the Spanish gov |
rnment promise to give to the Cubans |
he largest measure of self-government |
onsfstent with their welfare and Spanish |
uties? The whole difference between a |
and a republic may be summed |
ing gives to the people what he believes |
o be a good government; in a republic |
he people secure for themselves what |
hey believe to be a good government.
he republican party has accepted the Eu-
opean idea and planted itself upon the |
round taken by George III. and by every |
uIer who distrustS the capacity of the |
eopIe for self-government or denies them
voice in their own affairs.
he Presidents VIII the Only Law.
The republican platform promises that
ome measure of self-government is to be
iven to the Filipinos by law; but even
his pledge is not fulfilled. Nearly 16
lonths elapsed after the ratification OF the
reaty before the adjournment of congress
lst June, and yet no law was passed deal
lg with the Philippine situation. The will
! the Philippine islands wherever the
.merican authority extends. why does
ne republican party hesitate to legislate
pom the Philippine question? Because
wv would disclose, the radical departure
rom history and precedent contemplated
v those who control the republican party.
he storm of protest which greeted the
orto Rican bill was an indication of what
lay be expected when the American peo-
lie are brought face to face with legisla-
on upon this subject. If the Porto Ricans,
-ho welcome annexation, are to be de-
Ied the guarantees of our constitution,
nat is to be the lot of the Filipinos, who
SISTED our authority? If secret influ-
1ces could compel a disregard of our plain
1ty toward friendly people, living near
IT shores, what treatment Will tnose same
fluences provide for unfriendly people
600 miles away? If, in this country where
he people have the right to vote, repub-
can leaders dare not take the side of the
sople against the great monopolies which
ave grown up within the last few years,
ow can they be trusted to protect the
Ipinos from the corporations which are
aiting to exploit the islands?
Is the sunlight of full citizenship to be
ljoyed by the people of the United States,
nd the twilight of semi-citizenship en-
Ired by the people of Porto Rico, while
e thick darkness of perpetual vassalage
,vers the Philippines? The Porto Rico
riff law asserts the doctrine that the
)eration of the constitution is confined
|, the As states. The democratic party dis
ltes this doctrine and denounces 1t as
n organic law. There is no place in our
stem of government for the deposit Of
.bftrary and irresponsible power. That
,e leaders of a great party should claim