The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1901-04-27
LX6ERTY OF SPEECH.

anteed to them by the constitution,
can not condemn too severely the
ill-treatment Of newspapermen by
the military rulers of the Philip
pines. The case of. Editor RICE,
which has been recently made pub
lie, is enough to make the CALLING
yoke Of imperialism more detesta.
BILE still in the eyes Of those Ame,i-
cans whose minds have not been
turned by the pomp and glitter Of
conquest. Editor Rice's shameful
treatment by McKinley's satraps in
the Philippines has afforded the
best illustration of the arrogance
and audacity of Uncle Sans re-
representatives. in the Orient.
The fact that Editor Rice went 20
the Philippines as a soldier ard did
valiant service as a member of a
Minnesota regiment, did not even
secure for him the consider alton
which IS accorded in this country
to the meanest felon. Mr.. Rice
had sinned most grievously in the
eyes of the masters of the Philip
pines. His offence consisted of
having brought to light certain dis
honest transactions of army officers.
He was denied every opportunity
to substantiate his charges. He
vainly asked for trial and begged
tor a chance to prove the truthful
ness of his allegations. But he was
condemn without hearing. His
paper was confiscated; he was
locked up IN foul Jail and then
sent to the United States in the
Storage Of a government transport.
The following calloquy occurred
between MI. Rice and Col. Crowder.
The latter is one of the administra-
tons 'assimilators" at Manila:
Crowder-Don't you think you are wrong
in this matter?
Rice-No, Sir.
Crowder-Then you still think you are
right7
Rice-Yes, sir; know I am.
Crowder-'1 am sorry for you, young man;
my orders are from General Macarthur to
dePort you.
Rice-If you will give fair trial in
court can prove that am right.
Crowder martial law such char
acters as you receive no trial. We have not
the time.
Rice-Can see the evidence in the in
vestigation which you claim proves my
charges false9
Crowder--No; the investigation was
placed in competent hands and does not
need your approval. Your statements have
been proven to our satisfaction to be with
out foundation, and you will be deported as
an incendiary character and menace to the
military situation. You are too young to |
let go on slandering men of honesty and |
eaPabiiity, and consider your character as |
having fallen to its lowest level. In writing
and publishing such articles you endanger
the foundation of Our military system. Such |
conduct as this consider equal to traitor |
ism.
Rice-so far as being a traitor, I have
year, and never had my love Of country 50 |
much as questioned, while you have never
been under fire and never expect to be, and
you dare question my patriotism! I have
more patriotism to the square inch than YOU
have in your whole carcass.
Crowder-Be careful; few more words
and will put you in Bilibid! lin jail.)
The order of deportation was then issued,
but before the ship sailed Colonel Crowder
gave the culprit another chance, in this
fashion:
Crowder-The military governor Mac
Arthur) directs me to ask you that if your
conduct IS satisfactory up to the time of
your deportation and he sees fit to remit
your sentence, will you promise that in the
future you will never write articles of q
similar character against any officer of the
nilitary1
Rice-No, Sir. I hold the right to pub
ish anything anywhere, whenever I have
proof of my statements.
Crowder--Your case is hopeless.
The foregoing shows the kind of
ustice which is being dispensed in
he Philippines by the advance
gents of Manifest Des-
my, VIM. Mckinley, general dis
agent, Washington, D. c.
The older people of the South are
a miliar with that kind of Justice.
They had taste of it after the
Civil War. The scheme was not to
assimilate them, but
o benevolently reconstruct them.
t was carpetbag rule. That is what
hey are getting in the Philippines
nd unfortunately it is only the be-
inning and the end is not near
A Wonderful Man.
lew Orleans States.
The United States government
\ q