The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-06-02

for the Declaration of independence
Or reiterating any belief in the pre-
visions that it contains, William I
Curtis has been telling some truth
about the condition of affairs In tn
Philippines. II any one does advc
cate those doctrines here, he init
mates that there may be an upheava
here. Among other things, he says
There is, however, an uncer-
tain quantity of combustible ma
terial here and elsewhere through
out the islands, a latent undercur-
rent OF discomfort and ambition
among a class of young, half-edu-
Gated Filipinos, who are contin-
ually plotting and planning and
discussing what they will do when
the government comes into their
nanSs.
"The police are constantly dis
covering political societies and
secret organizations for the es-
adjustment of a republic.
Every few days somebody is
arrested and a lot Of reasonable
documents, pamphlets, correspon-
dence, bonds, seals and commits
sions for governors, collectors of
customs, treasurers, generals and
other high official honors are cap
tured.
"Only the other day a young
man named MacariO de Ocampo,
who was assistant to DR.. Neider-
lein, the scientific member of the
st. Louis exposition commission,
was arrested and is now awaiting
trial.
IAN examination Of his papers
disclosed that he was a victim OF
the Hong Kong junta, and in an
impotent way had been plotting
to overthrow the government and
organize a republic.
Nevertheless there are mater
ials in these for terrible con-
flagration. Under present condi-
tions the organizations seem pre-
posterous and ridiculous, yet any
encouragement that may come
from the congress of the United
States or from any other source Is
likely to give them strength, and
vitality and make them dangerous
to the peace of the community"
There, you have it. If any man II
he United States asserts his belief il
he Declaration Of Independence, de
lounces imperialism, or declares tina
lie favors the old doctrine that gov
rnments derive their just power'
rom the consent of the governed. h'
$ liable to start terrible confiagra
ion' in the Philippines. Therefore
hose doctrines must be buried SO deel
hat they will never be heard of again
Froude, in writing of the ancien
Romans, said:
The early Romans possessed the
faculty Of government beyond
any people of whom we have his
torical knowledge, with the ex-
ception of ourselves. In virtue of
their temporal freedom they be-
came the most powerful nation
in the known world, and their lib
critics persisted only when Rome
became the mistress of conquered
races, to whom she was unable or
unwilling to extend her privileges.
II there be one lesson which
history clearly teaches, it is this:
that free nations cannot govern
subject provinces. If they are
unable or unwilling to admit their
dependencies to share their own
constitution, the constitution itself
will fall to pieces from mere in
competence for its duties"
In opposing Imperialism, The indie
pendent has always said that 1t di
I more because of its effects upon u
han upon the conquered races. Tn
line has already arrived under II
nalign influence that the advocac
II the doctrines upon which this gov
srnment Is founded by any man, lay
aim open to charge Of treason.
| man denounccs dcspotism or nd
'ocates freedom. he Is liable to en-
courage rebellion among some OF on
subjects. lie 10 not only a '1ittl
but In reality a traito