The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-05-31
Ian Unpasriotio Course. 2

tSys.enatic opposition Of the Democrats
to everything done by the Administration in
relation to all questions which have arisen out
of the acquisition Of the Philippine Islands
the Sentinel. proclains to be Gan unpatriotic
course Systematic opposition by the Re-
publicans of the Legislature to all Democratic
measures at the late session, and even revo-
Iutionary and obstructive policy, did not even
attract the notice of the Sentinel, much less
elicit protest.
Obstructive tactics by Republicans is patri-.
otto. For Democrats to oppose the course
of the Administration as to the Philippines
is unpatriotic. This is the Sentiners position.
That journal further says the Democrats
in Congress have suggested nothing that
might be of benefit in dealing with the Philip
pines question. Isais is an extraordinary
statement in the face of the fact that the
Democratic position has been steadily against
the retentionof the Philippines. Nearly all
Democratic Senators voted against the ratifi-
cation Of the treaty by which this government
acquired, control, or rather the, privilege of
lighting for control Several Democrats voted
for the ratification, believing it necessary to-
the cessation of hostilities with Spain, and
that independence would be granted the Fill
pinos. LATER The Democratic party has
steadily favored self government and indie
pendence for the Filipinos. Hostilities be-
tween the United States forces and the Fill
pinos would never have occurred had assur;
ances of selfgovernment and independence
been given the Filipinos, and they would have
ceased at any time such assurances were au-
thoritively given. '1--- - a''.',
The Commercialists and those who saw
prospectise wealth I'M exploiting the islands,
and the hnperialists, who are ambitious that
the United States shall be world power,
who control the Administration and the Re-
publican party, have driven ahead with a heed
lessness that brooks no opposition, and the
Sentinel is thick -and-thin apologist and
defender of everything done by the Republi-
can party.
Passing over the cruelty practiced by our
army in the Philippines disgrace to civil
zation--look at the cost in blood and treasure.
Besides the slaughter Of the Elipinos aud the
ruin to their towns, villages and plantations,
thousands Of our own soldiers have been sacri-
feed to- the demands of the Commercialists
and Imperialists Besides the dead, many
leaving widows and children, thousands more
have been wounded and MANNED and many
more are in hospitals and insane asylams.s
Pensions follow the dead and wounded. The
cost of the war in the Philippines last year
was sl44, OOo, 600, and about $3.50, 600, 900
has been the total cost.
Besides the loss in blood and treasure,
principles of this government have been sacri-
feed For the sake of vague and indefinite
commercial gain, not begun to be realized,
we have denied the fundamental truths that
all men are free and equal and that all just
governments derive their powers from the
consent of the governed. Every principle
contended for in our war for Independence
from British or other rule has been sacrificed. |
The Democratic position has been plain
from the beginning of the scheme of expan-
sion. Forcible annexation would be criminal |
aggression, said Mckinley, and truthfully |
said. That seems to have been only phrase
to deceive the world, and this government,
when the time came, seized all in sight except |
Cuba, and her independence was granted with
a string to it. ~ VI la
This government-or rather the Republi- |
can party-has deceived the world and de- |
ceiyed the people of this country, in going to
war with Spain, as uncalled for an attack as
ever conquering monarch made. 1t has
done violence to the Constitution and to the
cherished policies of the republic. The
Declaration of Independence has been set
aside, the Monroe Doctrine neutralzed and
the advice of Washington ignored. The
Democrats have protested against all this and
the Sentinel pronounces their course sun
patriotc.p The fact is, the Republican Ad-
ministration is guilty of tearing away the
anchor chains which held the United States
to the safe moorings of no entangling alliances
with other powers, policy of political isola-
ton, peace and concord with all nations.