The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-28
TOWNE ON ROOSEVELT.
Replies to the st. Paul Speech of the
New York Governor.

that ever assembled in Duluth occurred
last evening at the Armory, when Chas.
A. Towne opened the campaign in a
lengthy address in which he replied to
the recent speech of Governor Roosevelt
delivered at st. Paul, on the occasion
of the national convention of the League
of Republican Clubs, and arraigned the
administrations policy in the Philip
pines. The audience, which comprised
persons of all shades of political belief
and many scores Of women, listened at
tentively to the orators remarks for
more than two hours, and frequently
throughout the discourse the applause
was deafening.
The speech, which will be used as a
campaign document, is considered as
Mr.. Towne's greatest political effort
At its conclusion he was rendered an
ovation by the multitude present.
Mr.. Towne will leave Tuesday or We'd
nesday for Idaho and other western
points to enter actively into the work OF
the campaign.
Mr.. Towne opened by expressing lack
of patience with any one who believed
in their party right or wrong" or ANY
president right or wrong" considering
the latter simply another statement OF
the Divine right of kings.
He said the coming of Aguinaldo was
at the invitation of Admiral Dewey, and
that he was to be an ally of the Ameri-
cans, quoting from the naval TGcOTOS III
support of his assertion.
After again referring to the different
situations in Cuba and the Philippines,
he said:
ssBut the statement that we never
promised the Filipinos their indepen-
dence conveys a false impression. Our
conduct was such as to eStOp an honor
able nation from using such a plea as
a justification or as excuse for attempt
ing to subjugate the islanders.
1.-THE FilipinoS made no secret of their
object in rebelling against the Spanish
government. What they desired to do
was to form a government of their own
and to be absolutely independent of
Spain. The representatives of the United
States in the east knew this object per-
fectly well. The H1l1p1nos proclaimed IL
to the world.
s'It is important to bear in mind that
the Filipino republic established under
the leadership of Aguinaldo was gov
eminent in fact, recognized throughout
the island of Luzon and several adjoin-
ing islands to the south, capable of pre-
serving order, collecting taxes, main
tanning educational and complete system
of public administration, raising and
supporting an army which for a con-
siderable period numbered 10000 men,
and conducting war according to the
humane principles of modern interna-
tional law.
Mr.. Towne denied that the FTlipinos
were barbarianS or unfit for self-goV-
eminent. He declared the idea OF taking
forcible possession of the islands was
not decided upon until a considerable
period after the battle of Manila Bay,
and meanwhile the F7iIipinos were per-
mitted to hope for independence.
After describing the strained rela-
lions between the Americans and the
Filipinos, after the capture of Manila,
Mr.. Towne said:
Our opponents are in the habit of re-
ferring to the outbreak of actual hostil-
tiles between US and the Filipinos as
though the latter were the agressors, and
much is attempted to be made out OF
such expressions as they fired on our
flag
ssBut of course, since we had secretly
formed a determination to seize the ISL
ands, it is apparent that whenevr that
design became manifest or we attempted
to put it into effect the Filipinos, if they
were earnest when declaring their object
to be independence, would resist 1t. The
aggreSSOr, regardless of who struck the
first blow, would be, not he who stood
in defense of a right, but he who by act
or threat compelled the other to defend
it. The development of the hostile de-
sign was itself an attack AS a matter
of fact, however, as shown by General
Otis official report, our troops fired the
first shot and the FilipinoS stood ON the
defensive
Taking up Governor Roosevelt's speech
he declared it to be enormously disap-
pointing. Neither in matter nor in man
ner is it worthy of it's occasion. In re-
spect of argument the speech is, with
rare exceptions, an alienation of eva
sion and assertion. In spirit it is COM
pound of scold and scullion. AS to its
facts it aboundS in inaccuracies which,
if accidental, are inexplicable as coming
from a man who has performed credita-
bly, in history and biography. But the
world is accustomed to inconsistencies
from Mr.. Roosevelt. It has long looked
upon him as a predestined and incorrigi-
BILE eccentric 1t has given up attempt
ing to explain him or to reconcile him
with himself. 1t is quite impossible,
whether it would be worth while other
wise or not, to make an entirely salts
factory diagnosis of a civil service re-
former in partnership with Thomas c.
Plat; a citizen soldier who ridicules the
volunteer, a leader in battle who finds
glory in being rescued from an ambush;
a hero who boasts of shooting a fleeing
foe in the back; a candidate who plays
and poses to delegates and galleries to
obtain a nomination that he does not
want; a gentleman who charges six and
one-half millions of his fellow country
men with lawlessness, dishonesty and
coWardice; a statesman who, mounted
on hobby, rides roughly at grave ques-
tions in economics and politics swinging
his partisan lariat and yelling like an in
tellectual Comanche."