New-York tribune., 1900-07-07
rSERP1TION IN CHINA.

81 hfl IOA IN HINI.
The Democrats were a little timid about de-
rUuncing the latest outrage of Mckinley I'M
perasm" in landing troops on the soil OF
China country with which are nj peace.
They probably were not quite sure enough of
the news from that distant and distracted land
10 feel absolutely safe from contradiction by
events if thcv made definite declaration. SO
thev conteuted themselves with general pro
test against the Republican diplomacy which had
involved the country in the land grabbing OF
Asia' and left the eanti-AdmiuistlGiti0n press 10
develop the idea in criticism OF Whatever might
happen: and the press is doing it, II the l'reSl-
dent had LEFT our citizens 10 be butchered with
ont all possible efforts to save them, obviously
different line OF attack would have been
opened As he did al that il was possible to
do for their safety. clearly the thing Is to find
fault with his usurpation of authority in inNad-
ing friendly country.
For this Mr. Mckinley is being roundly de
nouncrd by his newspaper enemies, and II must
be admitted that from their point of view he
deserves it, one of the fundamental beliefs of
the Democracy has been well stated by one Of
its orators in the phrase: There is one thing
better than free government hnd that iS self
government" Now il il undcniable that what
ever else China may be today it is Sclf-gov-
crned The reign of the Boxers may be no
better In Western eyes for China than the reign
of Agunado with IFS planned massacre of
Europeans would have been for Manila. but un-
doubtcdly it is sef-gOvernment. and we do not
see how anybody can question the right of
Prince Tuan To conduct affairs at Pelling with
ont the aid consent OF any other nation; and
il is plainly criminal aggression on Mr.. Mckin-
leys part to presume 10 interfere. Why should
tile Chinese care for abroad? No good Demo
tI,. a.. S,1S+
exercise of power without the consent of the
governed and therefore he must admit that
any exercise of power by American troops in
China without the consent of the Chinese is a
violation of the Declaration of Independence.
That immortal document declares the inaliPn-
able right of a people to alter or abolish their
government. and says that in nStitutfng new
one they may organize its powers in such form
''as 10 them shall seem most likely 10 effect
their safety and happiness" 1t is Just this
that the Chinese have proceeded 10 do and in
doing it the Pxtirpation of the foreigners has
seemed TO them most likely to effect their
safety and happiness. That may not he pleas
aRt for the forei gner9. Americans may not like
10 think OF the wives snd children 0t their
Minister ana his compa trots being sliced to
death by bands of bowling savages But that
Is no excuse for Mr.. McKinleys invading the
territory of this people exercising the sacred
right of self government and attempting 10 eX-
tend the sway of his military despOtism. He
/ has no more right in China than he had in the
Philippines. where, the Democratic orators
point out he is uSurper and tyrant
If the Democratic platform makers had only
been certain which way the eat of events was
going TO jump. what Il stirring Indictment Of
/ the aggression of our troops in China they
could have pPnned, But the omission can be
and apparently will be amply compensated for
, by the campaigners. who will not fail to eulO-
giZe Prince TUan, the Washington of the CelcS-
| tial Empire, who, inspired by the example of
Aguinaldo. taught his people to sing THE des-
pots heel is on thy shore" to the music of the
artillery trained OH the Peking legations. No
lust Of conquest. 10 piouS prrtence of humanity,
no talk Of duty can fool the Democrats into
pardoning such acts of piracy as Mckinley s
against China They know that the President
cannot exercise lawful authority beyond the
Constitution. which aSSUrpdly does not extend
over Chinese territory. Clearly, therefore, our
soldiers are merely marHudcrS making raids
/ upon friendly people rightly struggling to be
/ free and they ought to be eXterminated. Just as
/ our anti-eXpanson poets and orators proclaim
/ the "aSsassinR' in the uniform of American
/ soldiers should be cXterminated by the natives
! In the Philippines