Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-26

promises kept, platforms fulfilled and
pledges redeemed. No party was ever
richer in promises than the democratic
party, and no party was ever scantier
in fulfillment. When we look back but
four years and see the condition Of the
country when Grover Cleveland was
serving his last term. and compare it
with today, we can scarcely believe
| that only four years have elapsed. At
that; time labor was seeking employ
ment, mills and factories were closed.
farm produce was selling at the low
est prices, and the people, instead of
building for the future, were wonder
ing whence would come their daily
bread.
"We entered upon the campaign OF
Education in 1898 trusting to the honor
and integrity OF the American people.
When the question was presented as
to whether we should pay our debts in
the best coin in the world, or whether
we would repudiate them in whole or
in part by paying in debased cur
rency, the republican party unhesitat-
ingly went to the people, believing
that it could trust them at all times
and under all circumstances to do
what was right. The result we know.
In no uncertain terms went out the
fiat that reputation either in whole
or in part would never be permitted
by the people Of this country. Ohio'a
gifted son, William .cKinley. was tri-
umphantly elected aud every promise
that had been made by the national
convention in ST. Louis, has thru his
administration been loyalty fulfilled. 2
| After referring, to the war with
Spain and the treaty Of Paris and the
acquisition of the Philippines, he said
concerning the latter:
I'VE were compelled in order that
there might be proper peaceful gov.
eminent worthy OF this country, to
put down the Instruction against our
flag and to crush out the rebellion
against our government. We hold the
islands not for the purpose OF tyran-
ling over them as did Spain, not for
the purpose of brutailzing the people.
not for the purpose of wringtng from
them gold OF revenue but in order that
we may train them in the right ideas
OF government. educate them al to
what is necessary to maintain and
build up people-civilize them as we
understand it in the highest and best
degree.
! II cannot understand how any man
born and raised in the United States Of
| America, familiar with the spirit Of our
people, governed by its institutions,
reared under our flag, can believe for
one instant that am administration
that ever could be elected could, or
would dare do anything except that
it would lead to the peace and happi-
ness and the prosperity of this people.
Nor can | conceive how any man who
drop of American blood in his veins
could say that we should haul down
our flag and withdraw our soldiers
from the Philippine Islands SO long.
as there is one man in armed rebellion
or so long as there is a single individ-
ual in all the islands in open resistance
to the government and to the flag.
"There are not enough anti-imper-
ialists or anti-expansionists, there are
not enough democratic howlers, there
are not enough copperheads and trait
ors in the United States to tear down
that flag SO long as there is armed re-
bellion or so long as the American
people are responsible to the civilized
nations Of the earth for the govern
ment of the islands"
Adverting to the Porto Rico tariff
bill, he said:
"When that measure is carefully con-
sidered, considered in reference to the
needs and wants of the people, it will
be found to be not only the wisest and
the best, but the most charitable that
could be enacted. And that measure
will bring to the people of Porto Rico
in time, education, happiness and pros
perity.
Il know there hav, been some dis.
ferences of opinion in our own ranks
as to the tariff part OF this measure,
some sentiment as to the constitu-
ton following the flag, but : believe
that when the conditions and the
wants and the needs of the people are
considered, those differences win PASS
away. We must remember that On
that little island there were almost a
million people, 80 per cent of them IL
literate, unable to read or write, and
entirely unlearned in the WAYS and
arts of government, and utterly un-
fitted at this time to govern them
selves. 1t is expected by this meas
ure that enough revenue will be Sc
cured to pay the expenses and in due
time to educate and bring the people
up to our own standard of citizenship,
and then we will incorporate them
into our own union as full.grown citi-
zens."
After referring to the. prosperity of,
the country, and the expansion Of its
trade, he continues:
"And why change this? And for
what? Has there been anything in
the past of the democratic party that
would warrant it being placed in pow
er? Has it changed any since it had
power? Has it changed any since
1896? Does = not stall, thru its
mouthpiece and its leader. insist upon
1.-THE Chicago platform. with all ;t~