The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-18

! cations from officials in the Philippines
/ to show that from the first the Filipinos
desired independence, and that they had
( succeeded in achieving it, He then wSnt
( on to offer evidence that they were fit
/ for independence referring to statements
made by a number of prominent foreigners
| to that effect.
Mr.. Honr's Policy.
Mr.. Hoar spoke Of the suggestion that
has been made that If he opposed the
imperialistic policy he was bound to slg-
gest a substitute and said:
Il for one am ready to DO It,
Il would declare now that we will not
take these islands to govern them against
their will.
Il would reject a cession OF sovereignty
which implies that sovereignty may be
bought and sold and delivered without the
consent Of the people. Spain has no right
full sovereignty over the Philippine ISL
ands. She could not rightfully sell it to US.
We cannot rightfully buy it from her
4 would require all foreign govern
ments to keep out OF these Islands.
L would offer to the people OF the
Philippines our help in maintaining order
until they have a reasonable opportunity
to establish a government Of their own.
Il would aid them by advice. if they de-
sire it, to set up a free and Independent
government.
Il would invite all the great powers OF
Europe to unite in an agreement that that
independence shall not be interfered with
by US. by themselves or by any one of
them with the consent OF the others.
Il would declare that the United States
will enforce the same doctrine as appli-
cable to the Philippines that we declared
as to Mexico and Haiti and the South
American Republics 1t Is true that the
Monroe Doctrine a doctrine based largely
on our regard for our own interests. is
not applicable either in terms or in prin-
ciple to a distant Asiatic territory. But
undoubtedly, having driven out Spain, we
are bound and have the right. to secure
to the people We have liberated an rppor-
tunty. undisturbed and in peace. to os-
tablish new government for themselves.
Il would, then, in not distant future,
leave them to work out their own sal
walton. as every nation on earth, from
the beginning of time has wrought out
it's own salvation. Let them work out
their own salvation, as our own ancestors
slowly and in long centuries wrought out
theirs; as Germany, as Switzerland. as
/ France in briefer periods, wrought out
theirs: as Mexico and the South Amer
lean Republics have accomplished theirs;
all of them within a century, some of them
within the life OF a generation. To at
tempt to confer the life Of freedom from
without. or to impose freedom from with
out on any people is to disregard all the
lessons Of history. 1t is to attempt
gift of that which is not to be given
BY all the blended powers Of earth and heaven.
Il would strike out Of your legislation
the oath Of allegiance to US and substitute
an oath OF allegiance to their own coun-
try"
In conclusion Mr.. Hoar said:
Mr. President know how imperfectly
have stated this argument. I know how
feeble is a single voice amid this din and
tempest. this delirium Of empire. It may
be that the battle for this day is lost.
/ But l have an assured faith in the future.
have an assured faith in justice and the
love of liberty Of the American people.
The stars in their courses fight for free
! dom. The ruler OF the heavens is on that
side If the battle today go against it,
/ appeal to another day, not distant and
I sure to come. I appeal from the clapping
Of hands and the stamping of feet and the
brawling and the shouting to the quiet
chamber where the fathers gathered in
I Philadelphia. | appeal from the spirit OF
trade to the spirit OF liberty. / appeal
/ from the empire to the republic. I appeal
| from the millionaire, and the boss, and the
| wire -puler. and the manager to the
/ statesman Of the older time, in whose eyes
/ a guinea never glstened who lived and
! died poor. and who left to his children and
( to his countrymen a good name far better
/ than riches. l appeal from the Present
bloated with material prosperity, drunk
with the lust Of empire, to another and a
4 better age. fappeal from the Present to
] the Future and to the Past"