The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-05-17
A STAIN ON THE FLAG.

If there is one thing that Amer
leans, regardless of all party OF
sectional affiliations, are proud of,
it is the humanitarian sympathy
which courses in our national
veins. Among the nations of the
earth we have had in all the years
of our history the distinguishing
reputation for dealing with our
foes in kindly and generous
spirit. We have been proud OF
our soldiery. This being true, it
is all the more important that the
reports which come from the far
away islands of the Pacific, of the
cruel treatment of the weak and
gentle Filipinos by the American
soldiers, be promptly investigated;
and if found true, the guilty ones
he made to suffer severely for the
crimes which they have CON-
mitted.
1t has been evident for some
time that the war department was
attempting to conceal the facts in
regard to the real condition OF
affairs in the Philippines, and un-
der the leadership Of Senator Lodge
debate has been deliberately stitied
on anything in connection with
our colonial affairs in the far east.
But there comes place where the
spirit of AmericaDism cannOt be
stayed and where the Esprit of)
higher law of patriotism and love
of country will not be suppressed
by any regard of mere party
fealty.
That time has come in this ques-
ton of what are the military lead
ers and the American soldiery do
ing over.in the eastern seas, in the
islands which were SO long the
foot ball of Spanish greed and
cruelty. Despite the censorship
attempted by the war department,
there has been waited over to this
country reports of atrocities, CON-
mitted, by American soldiers,
against the natives of those islands
which reveal the bloodthirstness
OF the Duke of Aleva in his treat
ment OF the people OF Holland sew
eral centuries ago and Outrival the
desperate hellishness of the hated
Wevler in his dealings with the
CubanS.
These reports have at last
aroused the spirit of AmericaAism
to such an extent that the admin
istration will be compelled to take
prompt cognizance Of the disgrace.
ful and awful conduct of some of
the American officers or else share
In the contumely and contempt
that will be theirs to bear.
The spirit Of the nation found
loftiest expression in the words of
Congressman Sibley, of Pennsyl-
vaI5a as he addressed the House
the other day. This man, an ex-
pansionist, q republican, voiced
his indignation thus: '.When l
have read, as ! have within the
past forty eight hours, that gen
eral wearing the uniform OF the
army Of the United States, one
who stands under the shadow Of
- flag, Issues orders, not conci-
. province, but to leave it a
ling wilderness and to kill all
1--we ten years of age, then it
seems to me that humanity must
have marched backward for eigh-
teen centuries and that herOd
again appears"
These are strong and burning
words, and it is TO be hoped for the
honor of our beloved country, that
TIA reports have been exaggerated
and that General Smith may clear
himself from any such frightful
charges of wholesale murder.
The nation will wait patiently
while this matter is probed to the
bottom. 1t wants no falliati0n for
offenders against national honor
and 4 love for humanity. It will
give any man q hearing. But it
must be promptly given and the
verdict will be as promptly rem
dered, "Let no guilty man escape"
The tair name OF Liberty's home,
where she breathes, her native air
has been assailed. The blot must
" removed.
Jerry Simpson, one time the !
popular sockless Populist of Kan
iaa who attracted attention by
iuto Congress, has broken !
lut again-this time as the most
nccessful ping pong player in r
aomtana, to which State he has .
omOyod. Will he land in the =
ationsl capitol againi g