The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-06-13
Then and Now.

known ~ the Declaration of lnde-
pendence, the keynote Of which l.:
We hold these truths to be self
evident. that all men are created
equal: that they are endowed by
their creator with certain inalienable
rights: that among these are life, lib
ertv and the pursuit OF happiness.
That to secure these rights. govern
ments are instituted among men,
| deriving their lust powers from the
consent OF the governed.
On the 4th OF June, 1901, a little
band of Americans constituting the
Cabinet OF the President of the nited
| States. the government founded by
the signerS Of the Declaration of In
dependence, assembled in conference
| in the White House. the President OF
the nited States presiding, and DEF
initely repudlated and denied the
truth OF this keynote utterance OF
the Declaration of Independence.
They decided that the president
should govern the Philippines with
the strong hand OF the military, in
utter disregard OF any rights or
wishes of the people, with unjust
powers OF government derived. not
| from the consent OF the governed,
but from the employment of force
intended to overawe and subdue the
governed.
The American people now confront
this ominOus reputation OF the
great basic truth upon which the
| free government of the United States
is established just as plainly as
the signers OF the declaration declar-
ed this truth, plainly did President
Mckinley and his cabinet abandon
it in their action ut Tuesdays meet
| ing There is no craft OF speciOus
| pleading which can reconcile the one
action with the other. The Declara
ton of Independence fOrbids our gov
eminent of the Philippines save with
the consent of the governed, fOrbids
an American citizenship that is not
equal in all its rights before the law,
forbids the employment of armies as
a compelling factor in the govern
ment of peoples subjected by force to
our unwelcome rule The Cabinet :
action OF last Tuesday sanctions
these very things forbidden by the
Declaration of independence.
1t must bow be accepted as an ac-
cOmplished fact that the United
States government has abandoned
the creed upon which it was original
| ly established. The earlier manage
ment of the Philippine and Porto
Rican problems could possibly be de
Tended as due to temporary neces-
sity The system of government
now decided upon represents a delib-
crate policy of the administration.
The presidents cabinet authorita-
lively decides that congress is not
necessary TO colonial government;
that military rule, under this one
man power. shall prevail in the Phil
ippines: that backed by the military.
the collection OF tariff duties and all
acts OF government in the Philippines
shall be continued.
Not one of these things Is permis-
sible or possible under the terms of
the American Declaration of indie
pendence. Not one is in accord with
American utterances of the past. We
have now cut loose from our moor
ing. We have turned our faces from
the original American faith of the
patriots who won freedom for them
selves and us and who founded this
government as Freedom : hope and
haven for the worlds oppressed.
What do the American people think
OF Tuesday : action of the president :
cabinet1 Does it meet with the APP.
proval as constituting consistent
American action? The existence OF
the United States government as a
free republic depends upon the peo-
Piles answer 70 these questions.
Morgan Should Be Diplomatic.
Boston HersId.
1t Is 70 De hoped that Mr.. Morgan
will do nothing TO disturb the pres
lent kindly relations existing between
this country and England. Now that
: he has permitted President Loubet
OF France 10 hold a private audience
: with him he should extend the SAME