Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1901-12-06

necessary War End7-The Democratic Plan
for Peace-Why Not Place Them on the
Same Footing a the Cubans. Who Have
Submitted Because Assured Of Ultimate In.
dependence.
Lincoln Commoner.
With the opening OF the first session
OF the Fifty-seventh Congress the con.
gressional campaign of 1902 begins.
The Philippine question will be the
most important matter considered by
this Congress and in all probability
the most important issue in the cam.
paign Of 1902. Tie Democrats not
only have an opportunity to make a
strong appeal to the country on this
question, but it is their duty to do 90.
The Republicans do not dare to meet
the Issue Of imperialism openly and
honestly; they do not dare to invite
judgment upon colonial policy; they
do not dare to candidly ayow their
purpose to hold the Philippine islands
permanently. A large majority Of the
rank and file of the Republican party
cherish the belief that their party in
tends ultimate independence for the
Filipinos. The Democrats can re-
move this delusion by compelling the
Republicans to accept or reject the
Democratic plan Of dealing with the
Philippine question.
The Democratic platform of 1900
not only presented . plan for the
peaceful and permanent settlement Of
the Philippine question, but it pre-
sented tho only complete plan that has
been offered 10 the American people.
It reads ~ follows:
1--WE condemn and denounce the
Philippine policy Of the present ad-
ministration. It has involved the re-
public in unnecessary war, sacrificed
the lives Of many Of our noblest sons
and placed tho United States, previ-
ously known and applauded through
out the world - the champion Of free
dom, in the false and un-American
position of crushing with military
force the efforts OF our former allies to
achieve liberty and self-government.
The Filipinos cannot be citizens with
out endangering our civilization; they
cannot be subjects without imperiling
our form of governm ,nt, and as We
are not willing TO surrender our civili-
zation or TO convert the republic into
an empire, we favor IN immediate de-
claration Of the nations purpose 10
give the Filipinos, First. A stable
form of government; Second, Inde-
pendence; Third, Protection from out
side interference, such - has been
given for nearly century 10 the re-
publics of Central and South Amer.
ica."
The Democrats can afford to take
their stand upon this platform and
challenge the attack Of imperialists.
More than year has elapsed since the
election Of 1900, which, according to
the Republican prophecy, was to ter
inmate the war in the Philippines.
Every month has shown more clearly
the failure of Republican arguments
and the evils Of an imperialistic policy.
The Democratic platform charges that
imperialism " has involved the repub-
lie in unnecessary war, sacrificed the
lives Of many Of our noblest sons and
placed the United States, previously
known and applauded throughout the
world a. tho champion Of freedom, in
the false and un-American position Of
crushing with military force the ef-
forts of our allies to achieve liberty
and self-gOvernment.
The war 10 unnecessary because the
Filipinos are ready TO lay down their
arms whenever independence 10 prom
ised them. The sacrifice Of life has
continued unabated and the imperial.
lists seem as little concerned about the
death Of American soldiers as they do
about the killing Of the natives. The
effect Of imperialism has manifested
itself in the failure Of Republican lead.
ers to express any sympathy for the