Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-08-28
Politics and Citizenship.

w. .N~
the republican ticket, states that we are
disgruntled because the democratic party
was "against the war in the Philip
pines" This is not by any means true.
The Outlook is against the democratic
party because the democratic party was
against the government at q time when
the soldiers Of that government were
lighting in the field against insurrection-
airy forces who were opposing q just
and lawful authority; we are against
the democratic party because it not only
was against the government, but 1t
busted itself in extending sympathy, ii
not aid, to these insurrectionary forces;
and it is further against the democratic
party because, not content with oppos-
ing the government, snd sympathising
with our armed enemies, it sought to
blacken the character of our soldiers on
the field. To any one who would
rather be an American citizen than a
politician all this is enough to start
them thinking.
But the attitude of the democratic
party in this matter is not a matter of
principle but of expedicncy. Students
Of the situation will remember that
when the question Of retaining the
Philippine Islands first came up there
was the greatest diversity of opinion
among all parties, but gradually matters
took shape, as they are now. The
republican party was in power and was
held responsible, as the party in power,
and Dewey had gone too far to with
draw from the islands. The democrats
naturally fell into criticism Of this stu
alton, aud thus the alignment was
made. The word was sent out from
headquarters telling democrats what to
think On the Philippine question, and
the present situation, SO far as the Out
look is concerned, has been brought
about because the editor refused to take
any instructions on how and what to
think, from anybody.
We well remember when, at Huron
several years ago, the first word was
spoken on this Philippine question
among a conference of pops and demo-
Gratis. They were about ready to
adjourn when Mr.. Thomas Ayers, the
enterprising real estate agent pow OF
Pierre, then either private secretary to
the governor, or reinsurance commissioner
contributed the remark that the acces.
sion of the Philippines was add
fool play, and that the shooting down
of Philippine citizens who wera seeking
liberty was a most unholy operation.
His remarks were most promptly
seconded by Nh. Harry Sawyer, whose
public duties as secretary for the rail
road commissioners had no doubt giver
him large opportunities for research OF
the subject. Immediately many Of
those present mixed with them on thu
subject, and there was some discussion
Thirty or forty reformers were present
and possibly half ofthem disagreed with
Ayers and Sawyer, Some aged hanger
on Of Pettigrew's at Huron, was az abb
seconder of the Ayers and Sawyer prop
o~sition, and we remember that he hae
all the righteous indignation in his voic,
that a man would have who was abou
to give his right leg for his principles
He was prating Of the time honoret
principles Of democracy, and IS we hat
lived in the state seventeen years an,
never met him at ademocratic pow-pov
before, we gave him scant attention
But the point is that those VIII,
announced and defended the policy tina
has since been adopted by the demo
cratic party on this Philippine matter
then untinged with ~partisanship, wer,
men who Represented the leaders OF TIL,
reform forces in the state; men VIII,
were on the inside, and who were knowl
as the mouth-pieces Of the powers tina
Were. There were several men in th,
bunch who told Ms that Ayers and Saw
yer were undoubtedly wrong ION th,
proposition, but as they were expectin,
to be candidates for Office in theil
counties they deemed 1t expedient 1.
remain quiet, s.after ALL what difference
did II make said they.
SO the reform party in the stat,
drifted into what we believe to be /,
thoroughly wrong position, in harmon,
with the great guiding forces that mad,
party politics in back committee rooml
at Warrington. Some men are oonsti
tuted TO accept just this sort Of thing
what difference does it make SAIL
they; we CONFESS that Al Q matter o
bread and butter, IL might have bee,
better for ~ II we had tamely accepte,
directions - to how and what to think
but we are not constituted to do that
we scrapped over It then, and We hav
been busy at Il ever Gince. And nov
this what difference does Il make
question has caused 10 20 alisn ourselve