The Saint Paul globe., 1901-01-19
A WARNING VOICE.

prone to 'IoSe their headS IN conCempIa-
ton of the great results which are des-
tined to ensue to American society in
the immediate future, as we are as
sured by all the spokesmen Of the pres
ent national administration, that we
should be given cause to stay mo-
ment in our courses to reflect whether,
after all. the road we are journeying On,
with all it's golden possibilities, does not
lead to other results than the extension
of our commerce and the augmentation
of the national prestige. Such an op-
Of the address delivered before the Hol-
land society by Grover Cleveland.
Conceding all that the advocates of
expansion claim for the policy in the
way of enhanced opportunities for
trade and commerce, the inquiry must
force itself on this people, and, indeed,
on every observant man, whatever his
politics or whatever his earthly anlbi
tions, whether we are not paying more
than the full price in national, expcndi-
/ ture of blood and treasure for the ad-
vantages which are to come to us as
trading race from the acquisition of the
new possessions.
Mr.. Cleveland says well that we will
subdue the Philippines, sooner or later
But why subdue them? Is there no
remedy which we as humane and free
nation can discover by which these peo-
pie may be placated save that of sub
jugatiop? Have we at any time shown
the true spirit in dealing with these
people? What have our paper peace
commissions amounted to? We have
held out the parchment of amnesty with
one hand, while displaying a deadly
weapon in the other If we could now go
back to the night when the advance line
of our troops was fired on by our
Filipino allies, and could set ourselves
to pursuing a course thereafter which
might effectively ALLEVIATE those allies.
we could not devise much OF an i'm
provement upon the means we have
pursued.
1t was the spirit of Old World militar-
ism, not of New World freedom or de-
mocracy, which sent us on the courses
we have pursued in our treatment cf IL Q
Fiipinos. With tactful and wholly jast
treatment the principal tive lace Of the
Islands would be our friends toGay, rath-
er than our enemies. They would be
taking their first lessons in frs e rep esea-
tative government. They would lie nc lp-
ing to develop the resources of the-r own
land under the inspiration of American
energy, enterprise and capital They
would be on the sure road TO self-gov
ernment and civil freedom, su h a; they
never dreamed of in all their strug-
giles against Spanish tyranny. But the
war spirit was upon us, and it has stayed
with us since; and there is today not
thousand true Americans In the entire
land, who have no consideration Of self
interest to influence them that would
not. if they spoke from Their heart,
condemn the entire fabric of so-cai.ed
government which we have set up in the
Philippines. Nor will it be long before
the rational sentiment of the country
makes itself effective and the entire re-
morseless and bloody business is brought
to an enforced end.
1t is only by listening to tie voice of
men like Grover Cleveland, who preae
peace and conservatism. tlat this people
best traditions of a nation viii h won all
it has of freedom by resistance to 6e-
mands which dnd too close parallel
in our present policy toward the former
subjects of Spain.