Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-29
TALKS ABOUT 3EMPIRE"
Says We Are Sowing the Seeds of
Monarchy.
FILlpINOS CAN GOVERN THEMSELVES
Ayers That AeuinaIdo Did Not Sell His
Country for Bribe-says We Have
Mounted From an Act of Perfidy to
Grand Larceny.

Washington D. G. Jan. 2S.--When
pro TEN Frye called attention to a
cablegram from Manila signed by the
directorw of the federal party he call
ad attention to the accession to the
party of thousands of hitherto ire
conciliables from all parts of the archi,
pelago, expressing the opinion, that
the labors of the party to bring about
peace will soon be crowned with sue
cess and praying congress to authorize
President Mckinley to establish civil
government whenever he believes it
opportune.
Towne's Speech.
After the disposal of routine busi-
ness Towne, of Minnesota, was recog-
nized for a speech which was to be
his maiden effort and validictory. He
spoke on his resolution last Friday for
Immediate cessation of hostilities in
the Philippines. The galleries were
well filled and the senators gave
Towne close attention. He spoke in
part as follows:
Appeals to "Ancient Spirit"
In the opening of his address Towne
referred to the petition presented to
the senate a few days ago by 1000
Filipinos asking for the cessation of
hostilities and for granting independ-
ence to the people of the Philippines.
He maintained it would prove "a
quickening appeal to the ancient spirit
of a republic, or it's rejection must ded-
icate the twentieth century to reac-
ion which is prejudical, if not fatal
to free institutions.
AguinaIdo Is Pure.
While discussing the events which
led United States forces to the Philip
pines, Towne referred with particular
ity to the charge that sAguinaldo had
sold his country to the Spaniards for
bribe. He declared the accusation was
sGratuitous in its calumny, when we
consider that official publications of
our own government contradict and
destroy it."
Our "Shame and Disgrace"
The senator declared that 1--WE were
in alliance with the Filipinos, an al
lance sought by ourselves and avail
ed of by US for our own advantage, and
finally to our everlasting shame in the
y estimation of honorable men, was re-
pudiated by us when we found it no
longer necessary, and when the lust
of empire had so blunted our moral
sensibilities that we could mount from
an act of pertidy to the grand larceny
of nation"
Referring to Dewey's denial that he
had ever treated with the insurgents
as allies Towne said sarcastically, 81
fear the honest sailors terminology
has suffered from recent contact with
nice determinations of administration
diplomacy.
Says President Is to Blame.
In discussion the acquisition of the
Philippines, Towne contended it was
a prearranged plan on the part of this
government, and in his opinion any
doubt on this point was banished by
the president himself The third ar.
ticle Of the protocol with Spain reads
'The United States will occupy and
hold any city, bay or harbor of Ma.
Mia, pending the conclusion of a
4 treaty of peace which shall determine
the control, disposition and govern.
ment of the Philippines"
Yet, despite that definite provision
the president, the senator urged, is
sued on December II, 1898, his fam
GUS Benevolent assimilation procla
nation" Thus" he continued, .'the
dilemma is this: Either that article
of the protocol does not mean what
1t says, or the president in causing
the issuance of the proclamation
broke the plighted faith of this gov.
ernment. 1t is not agreeable to me
to use this language, but devoutly
believe the republic is at the gravest
crisis in its history and feel that
the necessary preliminary to its get
ting safe out is to cause people to re.
alize how it came to get in"
Says We Promised.
Towne maintained that the United
States is under obligations of circum.
stances, if not, indeed, of actual prom.
ise, to grant independence to the Fill.
pinos, and that among nations, the for.
mer was quite as binding as the lat.
ter. He argued at length in support
o. his contention that the Filipinos
are perfectly capable of governing
themselves, pointing out that eighty
per cent Of the population of Luzon
can read and write, and holding that