Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-08-02

American. Did 1t have its origin in
any of the acts of the amy or navy
located upon Philippine soil or in Phil
ippine waters previous to the treaty of
Paris? If SO 1t had the unqualified en-
dorsement of an overwhelming ma
Jority of American people. Did it have
origin in the treaty of Paris itself
which finally determined the status of
this government in those islands? II
so it had the ardent and unasked for
support of William Jennings Bryan,
the anti-imperialist candidate for
president of the United States.
Bryan Approved Treaty.
The ratification of that treaty ana
appropriation of the twenty million
dollars which was paid Spain for
rights in the islands was in no sense
partisan act. No man in America
ala more to secure the ratification
OF that treaty and the voting of that
appropriation than did William Jen-
nlngs Bryan. In considering this
whole matter of our relations with the
Philippines it is most important to
keep in mind the fact that prior to the
victories of the American navy and
army in the Philippines Spain posses
Sc undfsputed sovereignty over those
islands and actually owned large
share of the property which composes
them. The insurrection which had
been led by Aguinaldo which termi-
mated In 1897 was movement for re-
forms not for independence. That
movement had subsidized and Aguinaldo
and his pals had left the island with
their pockets filled with Spanish coin,
shouting long live Spain" Our vic
tories in the islands give us rights
and responsibilities which were en-.
larged and confirmed by ratification Of
the treaty OF peace and the payment
OF S2O,000,O0O to Spain. BY destroying
SPANS power in the islands we be-
came responsible to the world for the
safety of life, person and property
there
Have Depended on the Flag.
Aguinaldo and his followers refused
to recognize the rights of our govern.
ment and fired on our flag. From the
moment that assault was made all
we have done in the way of military
operations in those. islands has been
necessary for the maintenance of our
dignity and honor and the preserva.
ton of our rights and the defense of
our flag. If that is imperialism, then
let 1t be understood that the republi.
can party is not ashamed of it. In
raising the false cry of anti-imperia,
lism in connection with President Nc
Kinley's policy in the Philippines,
and in giving encouragement to the
treacherous Malays, who have been
shooting our brave soldiers from am.
bush, Mr.. Bryan has Justly
earned the severest condemnation OF
his countrymen.atIf it was right to
acquire authority and responsibility in
those islands,HI it has been
right every % hour a since
then to defend those rights and
respect those responsibilities. If Mr.
Bryan simply advocated the adoption
of the treaty ofapeace suspecting it
would bring embarrassment to the par
ty in power, that act would stamp him
| as fis
The Arch Demaeogue of the Century
If he honestly believed it was wise
and proper to 'ratify, the treaty Of
| peace and pay Spain twenty millions
of dollars for her rights. in those
| islands, his subsequent course is alb
solutely indefensible. The only spe
| cific thing l have heard as eminating
from him in criticism of the admin
listration in connection with the Phil
| ippines was that congress failed to
pass resolution assuring the Fill
| ipinos that we. intended to do right
by them, etc.
| Republican History an Earnest of JUS
tice.
The history of the republican par
| ty is sufficient earnest that justice
will be done the people of those is
lands, and that everything possible
| for their education and advancement
will be done. Passing resolutions fol
the benefit of treacherous dictate,
and a few ambitious usurpers is moi
one of the specialties OF the republi
can party. Aguinaldo and his follow
/ ers attempted to whip this great ma
! ton into recognition of his govern
/ ment. We have fought back. What
| kind of a government have we refused
to recognized?
| Nothing as dictatorial as the govern
mentGof Aguinaldo has happened ir
years until Bryan took the Kansas
City convention by the neck and made
them put 16 tool in their platform
| twice.
AguinaIdo,s Proclamation.
Article X of the constitution pro
| mulgated by Aguinaldo reads as fol
| lows:
1.-THE president of the government
! is the personification of the Philip
i pine people and as such he cannot
4 be held responsible for any ac1
whilst he holds that position. His pc
sition is irrevocable until the revolu
ton shall triumph, unless extraordi
nary circumstances should compe
I him to tender his resignation to con
! gress, in which case only congress
shall elect whomsoever is esteemed
most fitted
Article XIV reads as follows:
The resolutions of congress shall
not be binding until they have receiv
ed the sanction of the president OF
| the government. When the sait
president shall consider any resolution
undesirable or impracticable, or per
nicious he shall state his reasons tt
congress for opposition to its execu
4 tiop ond if cti1I incictc nv