The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1901-06-21
MILITARY DESPOTISM.
o'tens'"ie ciNii Government Resting
,Pon Half co@sEEsnIed Bnyonets
for the Philippines.

Secretary Root, in an interview,
sets forth clearly and distinctly the
fact that the presidents reliance for
authority in the Philippines is solely
upon the military power. Secretary
Roots Interview. which may be
copied as the official Interpretation of
the presidents present policy in the
Philippines. says:
'ln the Philippines the president has an
ncunced a distinct policy OF governing the
Islands under his power as cOmman der In
chief of the army with constant recsrd
for the rights Of the people and with the
determination. a. rapidly as conditions
would allow. 10 diminish the use Of mill
tary agencies and Increase the employment
OF civil representative OF his power. This
policy will be adhered 20. and will be ex-
tended. a occasion requires. TO every
branch OF government In the Islands"
The matter no less than the man
ner of this announcement is startling
The president relies upon his military
power-"his" power, not the power
of constitutional popular govern
ment. nor even the power of congress
as enlarged by Justice Browns deci-
Sion-but upon his" power as a mil
itary dictator. The poor makeshift
of the Spooner amendment. where
by congress attempted 10 abdicate its
powers. is cOntemptuously brushed
aside. The president will continue
10 rule as the man on horseback,
with the bayonet a. his symbol and
the Mauser rife As his prime min
ister.
OF course, all viii be done with a
constant regard for the rights of
the people" and with the determine
tion TO diminish the use OF military
agencies and increase the employ
ment of civil representatives of his
power" That goes without saying.
George Ill. never intended TO rely
permanently upon the Hessians TO
carry out his plans for 1.-THE rights
of the people" in the colonies: his
idea also was, as far as feasible. TO
increase the employment of civil
representatives of his power" In
fact. he did employ the civil repre-
sentatives of his power until the peo-
pie unreasonably deman ded that their
power be recognized. when he was
obliged TO resort TO the military. 1t
was the custom of Julius Caesar and
of the Roman emperors. as soon as
they had benevolently aSsimilated a
conquered nation. to give il some
form of civil government. subject 70
the power and caprice of the Roman
ruler
There is little 10 be chosen between
a military despotism. pure and sim
pie. and an ostenSible civil govern
ment resting upon haH-concealed hay
OnetS. such as the empire of the third
Napoleon. for instance-and. of the
two. the military despotism. plain
and undisguised. is the honester and
in the end less destructive of liberty.
Could the secretary of war in any
cabinet prior 10 President McKin-
ley's have uttered such language as is
attributed 10 Secretary Root without
causing an instant investigation by
congress. and. in case the president
sS5ctiOned these words. impeachment
proceedings against the president as
an intending nsurper and subverter
Of our form of government? What is
the matter with congress? Has pat
ronage hopelessly corrupted the rep
resentativeS of the people? Whittier
are we drifting?-AIbany Argus.