The age-herald., 1901-01-29
TONNES SPEECH
 WAS BRILLIANT Ended His Senatorial Service in
 OTatOricaI Sp|endOT ARRA|GNED ADMINISTRATION OnalterabIy Opposed to Present
 Philippine Policy KEPT BAD FAITH WITH FILIPIN0S When the Minnesotan Had Finished the Credentials of Jos. w. Bailey and F. M. Simmons Were Pre-
 sented to the Senate.
KEPT BAD FAITH WITH FILlPINOS

Washington, January 2S.-The Senate turned from the grind of appropriations to- day to listen to a speech which partook of the character of oration, from Senator Towne of Minnesota. Since he entered the Senate few weeks ago on appointment of Governor Lind, the young Minnesotan has had little opportunity to display his talents. As his reputation as an orator had preceded him, there was much inter- est in his speech today, which was in ad- vocacy of his resolution for cessation of hostilities in the Philippines. The floor was crowded with Senators and members of the House, the latter including Repre- sentatives Littlefield, Mccall, Cooper and others who have been prominent in insular legislation.
 The galleries, public and private. were crowded to overf1owing. The Senators on the Democratic side gave Mir Towne marked attention. On the Republican side the attention was less noticeable, although MT. Hoar and MT. Hale at first followed the speech closely, at times exchanging smiling comment on some of the utterances.
 Depew Greatly Interested.
 At one point MT. Depew took front seat and listened attentfvely. MT. Towne's style of delivery was clear and forcibe. AL though restricted by manuscript, he had the subject well in hand and rolled out the fine periods with fervor that sent them echoing through the chamber.
 The speech abounded in an apotheosis to liberty and patriotism and scathing and scornful arraignment of the policy by which the Filipinos were being annihi- lated. At one time an outburst of applause from the galleries led to vigorous warn ing from the presiding officer against dem- onstrations of approval or dissent As the orator closed his brilliant peroration there was another outburst of applause despite the warnings of the chair. Immediately following MT. Towne's speech the creden- tials of his successor, MT Clapp of Minne- sota, were presented, and after being sworn in the new Senator took his seat and MT Towne retired
 MT. Towne's Speech.
 In opening his address MT Towne re- ferred to the petition presented to the Sem ate few days ago by 2Oo6 Filipinos for a cessation of hostilities. and for the grant, ing of independence to the people of the Philippines. He maintained that it would prove "a quickening appeal to the ancient spirit of the Republic, for its rejection must dedicate the twentieth century to a reaction prejudicial, if not fatal. to free institu- tions."
 While discussing events which led the United States forces to the Philippines, MT. Towne referred with particularly to the charge that Aguinaldo had sold his country to the Spaniards for brfbe. He declared the accusation was "gratuitous in its ca- lumny when we consider that official publi- cations of our government contradict and destroy it."
 The Senator declared that i've were in alliance with the Filipinos. an alliance sought by ourselves, availed of by for our own advantage and finally to our ever- lasting shame in the estimation of honor- able men, repudiated by us when we found it no longer necessary and when lust of Empire had so blunted moral sensbili- ties that could mount from an act of perf1dy to the larceny of a nation"
 Admiral Dewey's Den al.
 Referring to Admiral Dewey's denial that he had ever treated the insurgents as al- lies MT. Towne said sarcastically: "I fear the honest sailors terminology has suffered from recent contact with the nice discrim- nations of administration diplomacy"
 Discussing the acquisition of the Philip pines Senator Towne said: Tt is not easy to fix with accuracy the time when the de- sign was formed to take forcible possession of the Philippine Islands nor to ascertain the mind in whose gloomy recesses' this enterprise of sacrilege and violence of the first water gathered form and pressure. There has indeed been evinced disposition by its most ilustrious sponsors as If their prophetic souls already trembled at the in- quisition of after ages to impute the dubi- ous responsibility to Providence itself. I know not which to admire the more, wheth- CT the modesty which disclaims credit for the policy or the colossal presumption which challenges and betrays the vaunted confidence of the Almighty.
 No man, no party, no nation can escape accountability for actions by attributin8 their origin to any other source than hu- man motives and human judgment. The policy of the administration towards the Filipinos must be justified, If ever justified at all, in the forum of reason and the con science of mankind"
 Merritt's Plan.
 Mir Towne declared that upon the arrival of General Merritt at Manila a distinct change of tone was observable between the United States officials and the Filipl- nos. the altered attitude being so marked as to force the conclusion that part of General Merritt's prearranged task was to maneuyer out of an awkward friendliness with Aguinaldo and thus to reach footing
 
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