Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-28

and asserts it's determinati ton when that Is
accomplished to leave the government and
control of the island to its people,
1t was this solemn declaration by the
American Congress that justified the war
at the bar of our own conscience. and OF
that of the world The pretense now that
this disclaimer upon our part applied only
to Cuba and not to other Spanish dependen-
cies is Ito palter with words in a double
sense"
Existing conditions abroad now challenge
our serious thought, whether we will or no.
Spain has been conquered, and the ''pacifi-
cation of Cuba"-the declared purpose Of
the war-secured. And yet we find ourselves
still engaged in war-a war. too, against
our former allies in our conflict with Spain.
1t is against people 5000 miles dis
tant. and of them until recent years we had
scarcely heard. 1t is an expensive war,
having already cost nearly two hundred
millions in money and thousands of yalua-
BILE lives. The question to be answered by
each American voter now and in November
is, Why this war? What is to be our justi-
fcation at the bar of history?
All mere words and glorification Of the
flag aside. the sad fact remains that 1t Is
purely a war of conquest; a war of subju-
CATION against a people who, as has been
eloquently said, lin their struggle for indie
pendence have interposed the declara ton
of Jefferson shield against the attacks
Of his own countrymen."
Sixty thousand soldiers are now in the
Philippine Islands; how much more will be
the sacrifice of treasure and life before the
conquest Is completed no man can know
And when completed, what next? How are
these islands to be held and governed?
Does any sane man doubt that it can only
be by force: by the power of the army aud
of the navy? And this not for a day or for
year, but for all time. All this implies
the exercise of power unknown to the Con-
stitution 1t is In very truth government
outside of the Constitution. 1t means the
adoption by the American people Of the
colonial methods Of European monarchists
III IN hnl ali
subjects. 1t enthrones force as the con-
trolling agency In government. In a word
it foreshadows the empire.
More than this. following close in the
wake of Imperialism as the night the day
comes the immense standing army The
dread arm OF militarism Is to be made bare
In the new world as 1t Is in the old. The
strong arm of power is to be substituted
for the peaceful agencies which for more
than century have brought contentmealt
and happiness to all people. Existing
conditions In continental Europe entailing
taxation and misery to the verge Of hui
man Observation-Disclosures by a sad object
lesson the inevitable result Of large stand
ing armies in time of peace.
Conditions now existing in the Philippine
Islands for which we are in a measure
responsible. impose new duties upon u.s.
These people are entitled to our protection
against the cupid1ty and aggressive spirit
OF other nations. And this not to the end
OF subjugation upon our part but to that
OF the full enjoyment by them of liberty
and the ultimate establishment of stable
government fashioned by their own hands
lmperialism-"th republic or the empire
is, indeed, the overshadowing issue with
which we are confronted in the pending
struggle for political supremacy It's de-
termination is to be by the American peonle
through the peaceful instrumentality of the
ballot. Meanwhile its discussion will con-
tinue at the fireside and on the hastings
with an earnestness rarely equaled in our
history. 1t was Burke who said: 81 love
clamor when there is an abuse The alarm
bell disturbs the inhabitants, but it saves
them from being burned in their beds"
Again thanking the committee and those
they represent, I accept the nomination so
generously rendered me. Should your ac-
| ton be ratified by the people at the polls. it
Will be my earnest endeavor to discharge
with fidelity the duties of the great office.
l have the honor to remain. yours very
truly. ADLAI E. STEVENSON