The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-01-15
SOME LIVE QUESTIONS.


II some loud-voiced, frm-jawed,
ironclad Republican worries you by
his clatter, If you find you can't shout
as loud as he can, or keep him quiet
long enough to squeeze in word, or
II you find that in a noisy debate or
argument, you are unable to keep up
your end, you might throw at him the
following questions. They will surely
settle him for awhile. o. l.. Rice. OF
Mankato. Kansas, propounded them
to Governor Stanley of that state, In
an open letter which he addressed
to the honorable gentleman. 1t is
needless to add that the governor did
not answer them by return mail. Mr..
Rice has always been Republican;
ne was, until recently, chairman OF
the Republican County Central COM
mittee. Recent political events, how
ever, have reused Mr.. Rice to do some
quiet thinking. The following ques-
lions occurred to him. and in answer
ing them. he was forced into the
Democratic camp. Throw them at
your arrogant republican friend Here
they are:
l. Do you believe in old war taxes
to prevent trade with Europe and in
the new war taxes to force trade with
Asia?
2. Do you believe in excluding the
uneducated European at Castle Gar
den who wishes to enter our territory,
but including millions of Asiatics who
are now fighting to keep out?
3. Do you believe in home rule for
Ireland, but an alien rule for the
Spanish islands?
4. Do you believe that the whites
and blacks Of this country have right
to govern themselves, but the whites,
blacks and browns of the Philippines
have no zach right?
5. Do you believe in a Monroe Doc
trine which forbids' Europe to inter.
fere with self-government in America,
but which permits America to inter-
fere with self-government in Asia?
6. Do you believe that governments
get their just powers, from the con-
sent of the governed In America, but
from the contempt for the governed in
Asia?
Z. Do you believe that taxation
without representation is tyranny
when applied to us, but that it is phil
anthropy when applied by us?
8. Do you believe that forcible an
nexation is criminal aggression, but
that the payment of S26OO0OO0 to
non-owners is benevolent assimila-
ton?
9. Do you believe that militarism
and foreign broils strengthen despot-
ism abroad, but make republicanism
strong at home?
10. Do you believe that American
policies have made little nation of
us, but by adopting European policies
we will be made great nation?
IL. Do you believe that this would
be an improvement: Thou shalt not
kill, except to extend trade?
IL. Would you teach your Sunday
school this: Thou shalt not commit
adultery. but you may enter into en-
tangling alliances and have harems
and slaves in Jolo?"
49, How would this fit your creed:
Thou shalt not steal, but shall annex
by force?
IA. Is it not presumption Of law
recognized by the civilized world that
every persons character is good until
it is shown by proof to be bad. and,
If so, why does the pension depart
ment presume that the character of
every soldiers widow and the charac-
ter of the depending mother of every
soldier boy is bad until she introduces
proof to the pension department that
she is woman of good character?
10. Is it beer or constitution that
you believe should follow the flag?
16. Is it patriotism to haul down the
flag in Alaska at the demand of Eng
land, and treason to advocate that it
float side by side with the flag of our
Philippine allies until they can stand
alone against the governments Of
Europe that are engaged in land grab
bling and then murder of republics?