Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1901-12-04
FIT Y-oEVEViH CON-
GRESS

With the opening u tuo ulet oVeeiVAi
of the Fifty.seventh congress the con-
gressional campaign Of 1902 begiOs.
The Philippine question will be the
most important matter considered by
this congress and in all probability the
most important sue in the campaign
nj 1902. The democrats not only have
an opportunity to make strong ap-
deal to the country on this question,
but it is their duty to do so. The r.
publicans do not dare to meet the
issue of imperialism openly and hon
estly; they do not dare to invite judg-
ment upon colonial policy; they do
not dare to candidly avow their pur.
pose to ho d the Philippine islands
permanently. A large majority of the
rauk and file of tie republican party
cherish the belief that their party in
ENDS timate Independence for tue
Filipinos The democrats can remove
tbs .ielasiou by compelli 6 he re
publicans to accept or reject tie
the mocratic plan of dealing with
the Philippine question.
The democratic pla form of 1900 not
only presented rlan Tor the peaceful
and ERIN anent settlement OF the Phil
ipplne question, but it presented the
only complete plan that has been
offered to TIE American peope. 1t
reads as follows:
We condemn and denouucs the
Philippine policy OF the present Ad-
minlstrstlon. 1t his moved The re-
pubic ID unnecessary war, sacrificed
t. lives # ma y ~ our uob.est SOUS
pla Ell Unite States, pow !
oRsly known AID spui .uded through
out the world as the champion OF free
dom, IN the ialse AID I'M merriam
position Of crush ng with mil tarv force
the efforts of our former alli.s to
achieve liberty and self-g1vernme t.
The Fihpiuo, canuo' be citizens with
out endangering our ciyll cation; they
cannot be subjects W thout imperillino
our form of overnm, nt, and as we
Ire no, willing to surrender our civil
hzstion r to convert the rep bile into
an empire, We favor an immediate
deela tou Of the at,ou's purpose to
give ne FJlpinos, First, stable form
government; Second, independence;
I'd, Third, protection from outside
40. A.. 1TEterfe enc such a. has been given
grounGr nearly century to the republics
of Ctntra and South Ar,erica Ii
The emocrats IAN afford to take
tuoH blhuu upOu lulS pldL1OAm huu
challenge the attack OF imperiaDsts.
Mre than year has elapsed since the
eieclion Of 900, which according to
tn republca" prophecy, was to ter
min"te the war in the Philippines
Eve y g. on b ha> shown more clearly
g failure republican arguments
and the ills o an imperialstc policy.
Tn d mocrarc platform charges that
INV rislisu has involved the republic
u"necessar war, sacrificed the lives
Of may Of our nobest sons and placed
the U,i ed States. previously known
and a T au d 'hro' gbout the world
a. the ch ,upion of freedom, in the
false and un- American position of
crushing With military force the ef-
rts ~ cur allies to achieve liberty and |
rel rrment."
Tn al Is unnecessary because the
rln"' are ready to lay down their |
Hepeoer independence is prom
n. The sacrifice OF life has |
->. en- nuad undated and the imperialists |
To- ncer q / about the death |
y &c II so oil as they do about |
the hi ~, of h natives. The effect |
Il imperial sm has manifested itself in |
IA failure of republican leaders IN az