Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-10-19
FOE TO EMPIRE.
Prof. Laughlin, Political Scientist,
Against Mckinley.
Former Opponent of .Coine Harvey
Calls Philippine War q Blunder
-Imperialfsm Against Con-
stitutiOn.

Prof. J. Laurence Laughlin, who
was one of William McKinley's most
energetic supporters four years ago,
and who took prominent part in de-
bates with "Coin" Harvey, advocating
the single gold standard, recently
announced to his classes at the Uni
versity of Chicago that he cannot cast
his ballot for the Mckinley admins
tration. Prof. Laughlin gives as his
reason for the detection President
McKinley's attitude on the question
of imperialism.
''The course of the present administra-
ton is opposed to the very origin and
genius of our Institutions he insists, land
1 cannot vote for Mckinley.
Prof. Laughlin is head of the department
of political science at the University Of
Chicago. He believes that American COM
merce can never be increased by the meth
DDS of imperialism alone.
TRADE does not follow the flag he in
sists, but on the contrary, the flag follows
trade. When American ability to compete
in foreign markets is proved there trade
will go and later the protecting flag Will
follow"
Philippine War a Blunder.
There is no need of words how we came
by the Philippines. The war on those is
lands was due to someone's blunder. They
tell us that must stay on the islands to
obtain markets for our manufacturers;
that the Philippines will provide basis
of trade with the orient. They tell us that
we ought to conduct the war to this end
even at a cost of countless lives and mill
lions of dollars.
1.-The argument that this course is an eff
fectual means to trade expansion Is faI-
IaciouS. Go back to the years between 1888
and 1890 and you will find that the total an
nual value of the exports and imports in
the PHILIPPINE islands was $34, OO0, 600 Sup
posing that this trade was all under Amer
| lean control and that it paid a fair rate of
profit, say ten per cent, it would be INSULT
cient even to pay the interest on our war
Home Conditions Tell
Increasing trade will not depend on cur
owning the Philippines. After we get them
we must open the doors of trade to other
nations on about the same conditions as we
ourselves enjoy. Then to sell goods to the
| islanders we must make the prices as low
| as those of other nations. Our ability to
compete with these other nations will de-
| pend upon the industrial conditions at
home.
1.-The fact that the value of American ex-
| ports has reached a sum never equaled be-
| fore refutes the claim that we need foreign
| ports to sell goods. Whether America shall
| sell to the Filipinos much or little depends
| upon what the islanders produce to
| offer and upon our ability to supply the
| goods they desire cheaper than any other
| ma alton. If American manufacturers wish
| to sell goods on the eastern markets the
| conditions at home must be looked after.
1.-The ability to sell depends upon Ameri-
cas- natural resources, on the efficiency OF
labor and the organization of industries.
| Also the low cost of transportation, the
| knowledge of foreign markets and the
| adaptability to the customs and the preju-
| dices of buyers.
America Leads in Steel.
America has taken the lead in iron and
| steel trade because of the abundance of
ores, the improved machinery for loading
| and the capacity of transports. European
| contracts for bridge building and railroad
constructors come to Americans because
| advantages similar to those enumerated
enable them to do the work cheaper and
| better and faster than the British firms.
| And so say that trade with the Philippines
| depends more on the smoking chimneys of
the south than on the rapid-flring guns of
| the army.
| who defray the enormous cost of exploiting
| a new country for the benefit ola favored
! few who obtain industrial conce SSiOnS
II there. The only commercial gains by con-
i quest go to the few at the expense of the
/ workingman and the taxpayer. The course
/ of the present administration in exploiting
the Philippines is opposed to the very
| origin and genius of our institutions.
i DislOyal to Past History.
i imperialism is the government Of a coll
| ony which has no equal share in controlling
| the policy of the parent state. This is ex-
actly the system which the American re-
"It is the very elementary principle on
| which the constitution is based, and that
! principle is being betrayed. If there is any
| historic sense in the American people they
will reverse the policy of Imperialism. as
the hope lies not so much In presidents as
in the houses of congress.
i president Mckinley declared at Atlanta
two years ago that the flag has been plant
ed in two hemispheres, where it remains
the symbol of liberty and law, of peace and
progress. Who will withdraw from the
; people over whom it floats its protecting
folds? Who will pull it DOWN. In the Phil
ippines We are now moving down the ma
| tives with rapid-fire neutrality-suspicious.
ing it is grewsomely expressed. The flag
1t is there to Filipinos the emblem OF
tyranny and butchery.
Principle Is Overthrow.
) 1.-The common sense of the people knows
that the flag cannot be Immediately with
drawn but the moral sense of the people
demands that so long as it remains its
folds shall provide for white men and
brown men alike a free and Independent
i. government and assurance from outside
| aggression. As a nation of freemen al
equal under the constitution we are stulti
flying ourselves morally and politically. We
are showing to- the world that our princi
| pies of government are as nothing in com
parison with grasping land. because it 1.
said by our legislators to be fertile ane
u rich.
..The baeseness of this philosophy SHOULD
| bring its own punishment and dishonor
The base greed for gain which has lee
strong interests to obtain the promise OF
special privileges in return for politica
| support is apparent In the whole business
The appeal to the cupidity of the dishonest
element in the country has been openly
proclaimed by some of our legislators. no.
/ tably by Senator Beveridge. who advocate.
| the conquest of the Philippines. because
| they abound in gold and hemp.
IT have not decided what course to fol
low at election time. but shall not vote fol