The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1902-02-20
4 MELANGE OF
LIVE TOPICS
Penned for Journal Readers
by a Local Scribe.
THE ISSUE.

Philippines are again to be the
principal issue Of the democratic
party in 1904. For a time it
seemed that this question would
be removed from politics, accord
ing to suggestion to that effect
from Senator Bacon who hoped
thereby that the whole question
could be calmly considered by both
parties. But it now appears that
a majority of republicans are I'M
alterably committed to the policy
OF the permanent retention of the
islands, while all the democrats of
that body. with the possible ex-
ception Of the Alabama senators,
are opposed to such plan.
The republicans are far worse
divided on this subject than are
the democrats. For numbersof
the strongest members Of that
party in congress, such as Sena-
tors Hoar, Turner and others, are
the most unsparing critics of the
administration in regard to the
present .war in the islands. The
democrats, on the other hand, as
has been remarked, are practically
a unit in favor Of disposing Of the
islands in some way so as to re-
move them from the control of
this government, and in this, if
signs count for anything, they are
Overwhelmingly supported by their
constituents. 1t is certain that
Senator Morgan does not represent
the views of Alabama in regard to
this territory, for it is believed
that the whole Alabama delegation
III the house would vote to end the
present war by our abandoning
the islands.
The positions that public men
and politicians take upon state
questions are far more likely to be
III accordance with public senti-
ment than are the utterances of
newspapers thereon. For Office
holders are better informed as to
public opinion than are the news
papers, being compelled to shape
THEM official course as to avoid the
rocks of popular disapproval. The
writer believes that if the question
of abandoning the Philippines was
submitted to q vote of the people,
it would carry every congressional
district in the southern states, and
nearly, if not all the counties
thereof.
| Newspapers, some Of which in
| the South are advocating the re-
tention of the Philippines, are in
| fiuenced more by theories than by
public opinion in adopting this
side of the question. Their MIS-
sion is in the nature of a propa-
ganda to educate the people tc
their views. In this instance they
will fail.
The plans of the democratic
leaders in congress are wise ones
| Democrats can hope to gain moth
ing by camping on republican res.
ervatlons. The republicans have
long ago pre-empted the Philip.
pine claim, and for the other party
to enter at this late day and ex.
claim me to" would subject them
to ridicule and overwhelm.
ing defeat. The democratic party
has declared in III it's platform
and has consistently acteC
throughout in opposition to the
Philippine question. If, there
! fore, the American people really
desire to retain the islands they
never would entrust the govern
ment into the hands of the party
whose character with respect tC
the question is at least suspicious
AS between a bona fide article like
the republicans and a weak imita
ton and one of doubtful sincerity
like the democrats they viii.
choose the first every time. The
writer takes no stock in all this
defamation against the purpose,
and methods of the republican
party with respect to the Philip
pines. He believes that party IL
doing the best possible with bac
subject and that if the islands ar,
to be retained, their people anc
the people of the United State,
will be dealt with, in the govern
ment of the former, for the best
interests of each and of both.
A good strong democratic plat
form in 1904, declaring as it's mair
plank for the abandonment of the
Philippine islands, repudiatins
free silver and adopting few
other principles of minor impor
lance, would have a splendic
chance of success. Even if i
! should fail, the party would lost
, NOTHING and wa of tba Cou+l