Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-07-24
OUR NATIONAL INCONSISTENCY.

We hold these truths to be seevdent: that all
equal they endowed by their Creator with
certain nnalenable rights that among these are life lib
erty and the pursuit of happnes that to secure these
rights governments are instituted among men, deriving
their just from the consent of the governed-The
Declaration OF Independence, July 4, 1916
The ink with which this fine sentiment was
written has faded, and the sentiment itself has
ceased to express the attitude of this country
toward the people of other lands. 1t never did
express the attitude of this country toward all
the inhabitants of this land.
And now, we have repudiated the principles
enunciated in our Declaration of Independence
even in their bearing upon our relations to for
eign peoples. We took possession of Porto
Rico by force of arms, and we bought and then
conquered the Philippine Islands, and are now
governing them without asking their consent
except the same sort of consent that is required
of slave.
Yet, that declaration is still solemnly read on
Independence Day, and is listened to as if it
was the utterance of infallible wisdom and
righteousness.
On the whole, it would seem safer to let the
old Declaration rest quietly in its glass case,
and find something else to take its place as an
expression of our national sentiments on indie
pendence Day.
ly Witness, paper of extensive circulation,
and which claims to be an "exponent of ap.
piled Christianity" The comments of the
Witness on the Declaration of independence
will be heartily endorsed by every crowned head
on earth. What the Witness says about Porto
Rico and the Philippine Islands is true. 1t is
just what England did to the Beers, and what
King George tried TO do to us. And yet, the
Witness is ready to surrender and ''let the old
Declaration rest quietly in its glass case, and
find something else to take its place as an ex-
preston of our national sentiment on Independ-
ence Day." Such an expression fifty years
ago-yea, twenty-five years ago-would have
been counted rank treason; but to-day, under
the teaching and practices of the Republican
party leaders. it is hailed by every beer garden,
saloon, and all the gamblers on Wall street,
and all the monopolies and trusts, with hearty
Amen!
II what the Witness says about the Declara-
ton is true, then it is monstrous lie, and its
signers, instead of being patriots, were monu-
mental hypocrites, and Washington and his
brave army were engaged in the business OF
imposing upon the people system of govern
ment that would eventually be repudiated by
the American people.
The Declaration of Independence is not
lie, nor were its authors liars and hypocrites,
but are Justly counted by every loyal American
among the worlds great and good men.
The fact that our government, as now adj
ministered, is engaged in the business of rob-
bling and expressing weaker people, does not
change, in the least, the righteousness and
justice of the principles set forth in the immor-
tai Declaration of Independence, which shall
live in the hearts of all lovers of human liberty
thousands of years after its defamers are dead
and forgotten.