The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-07-19

Tee / hlil Ath W AllAFi biAdA Ah'Af " eAf1 =
disposition in that quarter to take
issue with the admiral on some Of
these points. One Of the Democrats
went the length Of assuming a differ
ent character for Aguinaldo. This is
Of a piece with the attitude Of those
enthusiasts who, in their minds eye,
ideallzing these Asiatics and their
cause would identify them and IL
with the occasion and the men who in
1876 pledged their lives, their property
and their sacred honor TO the asser-
ton and defense of liberty in Amer
lea. Nothing could be further from
historic truth, as politically nothing
could be more iniudicious.
Il doubt not that the admirals con
clusions are wholly sound. As a
matter OF course, his statements are
absolutely true We could have
marched into Manila without firing a
gun and held it If we had had the
troops The Filipino rabbe was OBJ
structive rather than assistant
There was no Filipino government
worth considering. II matters little
which side or who fred the shot that
procipitated collision between the Fill
lplnos and the Americans After the
fighting began, after Agulnaldo and his
people took the field, that which had
been an insurrection against Spain
became an insurrectiOn against the
United States, and there was nothing
10 do but suppress It as speedily as
possible.
He Roasts Roosevelt.
Down to this point the course Of
the government at Washington and
the proceeding of the navy in Manila
| rs unassalable. We had occupied
the country as a consequence OF sue.
cessfu battle We had at least the
title Of treaty stipulation. backed by
purchase a qualified title. II may be.
since Spain lacked the power to de-
/ liver the goods but one we could not
surrender without loss Of prestige
In all this, tentatively considered, the
country was with the Mckinley policy
Of experimental government IRA.
dated and tempered by the Mckinley
idea Of benevolent assimilation.
Mckinley passed from the scene.
Roosevelt succeeded TO the head Of
affairs In place of a tactful, kindly
and sensible man. not only keeping
his ear close TO the ground, but care.
fully reading the lessons OF political
history so AZ TO strike that middle
course which time and again has
proved the wisdom OF the situation.
there came into power an aggressive
unlledged soldier OF fortune who by
the force Of series of lucky chances
and inside of threo short years had
literally rough ridden his way from a
subordinate desk In the navy depart.
mont 10 the White House.
All Changed.
IAN was changed The policy of
tentative occupation was quickly al.
tored 10 one of subugaton. Nay, alb.
solution, based on arbitrary power.
was at once set mp as the ruling prin.
ciplo. The recommendation Of the
Schurman commission were repudi. |
ated. The limitations put upon the
Taft commission began TO hang loose. |
Finally, the order went forth 10 slay
without regard TO age or sex. to lay I'm |
waste entire regions and to subsu. |
tuto the divine spirit of benevolent
assimilation for the fell spirit oil
bloody determination This was
total parting of the ways It was a |
great stride toward military despotlsm
pure and simple.
These things. however. were not
at once known In the United States
As they began to filter through the
listing OF red tape artmlly arranged
to shut out the truth about passing
events, they were stoutly denied by
the officials at Washington. Denial
was reinforced and supported by /,
double dealing Thus the root hog or
die policy Of evasion, suppression aud
silence. The secretary of war had
not studied the Tweed formula ort
nothing An along he know that i'll
the worst came 10 the worst. he would
be able, by the aid OF the Republican
ring In the Senate and the Speaker
and his rules committee in the House
to say TO the Democrats OF Congress.
What are YOU going to do about tg'
Constitution BE Blowed."
This is precisely what I'm effect
the administration is saying 10 the
country today. With one mailed foot
Ia Washington and the other mailed
foot In Mauila-its pockets stuffed
with reports which IL dare not publish
1t waves the nag which il has dis.
credited In the sight OF heaven and be.
fore men, cNclaimiug; Tho declara. |
'lon OF Independence and the consti
tuition OF the United States beI
hlowed' Up with the banners uf All.
soluteism and arbitrary power As |
Russia is IN Poland, shall We D., iuI
lnton As England is In Ireland ip
india and In South Africa. shall We be
ln the Philippines Goodby the sim.
pie preachments OF the fathers,
Eoodhy tho restraints OF the written
law. the sanctity OF oaths. the wisdom
and tho duty of prccedents and tradi
ions' Goodby 10 oldashioned ma.
tlons Of msticpl Gn,bh- o., ...