The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1901-11-09
Our War Of Aggression

" thSSC lSiduuS anu Nu0N pioho III
mobilization and debarkation are now
being perfected by the war depart
ment at Washington. Some reputable
authorities claim that it will take a
standing army Of 100, 900 men to
maintain order in that far away pos
session Of our government, bought
with money rung from u people in
the nature OF war taxes, tariff robbery,
ETC., against their solemn protests,
every dollar of which bears the red
tint OF the blood OF some American
mothers son, shed to satisfy an i'm
perialistic greed inexcuSable from a
humane standpoint and in direct
opposition to the fundamental princi-
Piles Of this government. AT this time
over half the strength of the standing
army Of the United States is on duty
in the Philippines and yet still more
Of our young blood is to be taken there
and spilled in an attempt to conquer a
people who are struggling for liberty
as did our forefathers during the days
of the revolution. In truth, this gov
eminent of boosted love for freedom,
after paying Spain $40, OOO, 900 for the
privilege, is now engaged in the
humane work Of shooting with shot
and shell civilization into a people
who only ask the privilege of govern
ing themselves.
How truly the national democratic
convention spoke at Kansas City in
1901 when it said
1--WE condemn and denounce the
Philippine policy Of the present adj
mi~niStratiOn. 1t has embroiled the
republic in an unnecessary war,
sacrificed the lives Of many of its
nobleSt sons, and placed the United
States, previously known and APP
plauded throughout the world as the
champion OF freedom, in the false and
unamerican position of crushing with
military force the efforts of oul
former allies to achieve liberty and sell
government. The FillipOnOS cannot
be citizens without endangering Oul
civilization; they cannot be subjects
without imperiling our form of gov
eminent; and as we are not willing L
surrender our civilization, or Ia con
vert the republic into IN empire, WI
favor an immediate declaration OF tn,
nations purpose to give to the Fillipo
nos, first, a stable form Of govern
ment; second, independence; anC
third, protection from outside inter
ference such Is has been given To-
nearly a century to the republics o
, Central and South America. Thu
, greedy cOmmercialiSm which dictated
the Philippine policy of the republican
Z administration attempts to justify /
with the plea that it will pay. bu'
, even this SOrdid and unworthy plei
fails when brought to the test Of facts
: The war of criminal aggression
, against the Fillipinos, ~entailing al
| annual expense Of many millions ha
t already cost more than any possible
I profit thatcould accrue from the entir
| Philippine trade for years to come
Furthermore, when trade is exten1e,
!, at the expense of liberty the price i
/ always too high"
These words Of patriotism are bounl
to burn themselves into the heart q
every American citizen who loves hi
, country, for in maintenance of jus
r such principles IS those set forth il
2 this plank Of u platform was tn
, blood Of the early settlers OF tn
country shed in conflict with BIRTHS
q tyranny, whose purpose it was to kee
them in a state Of Subiugatioi
n slavery.
That the democratic party was sir
o cere in the declaration Of these prir
cipleS wa attested by the fact tina
& the welkin rang from lakes to gulf an
from Ocean to ocean in the nature {
orators who took the stump for Brya
K and declared their open, emphat
= opposition to violation Of the tim,
n hOnored Monroe doctrine: and ha
Bryan been elected, with a democrat
ar congress, this platform declaratiC
Il would have been lived up to and tn
30 cruel, unnecessary val brought to a
10 end.
IT, Per c0Hfya what a farce was Il
m declaration Of the national republici
g convention held at Philadelphia TO u
p. effect that 1--WE steadfastly adhere