The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-10-06

as the Nation can correct them the
Nation will correct them while Theo'
dore Roosevelt Is the Nations Presi.
dent.
Philippine Inconsistency.
Uncertainty in financial policy, un.
certainty in tariff policy, uncer.
tainty in trust policy, uncertainty
too in Philippine policy-these are
the only absolutely certain results
Of the Opposition's success. Their
platform declares that we should
withdraw from the Philippines as
soon as we can arrange to protect
Americans already there; on the con.
trary their candidate declares that we
should not withdraw until the FIJI
pinos are prepared for self-govern.
ment. Thus in the financial so in the
Philippine question. the Opposition
would have one policy in Congress
and another in the White Hous,
Therefore nothing could be accom-
plished except an agitation which
could itself have no result. No re-
suit? Yes, one result-the result of
scattering throughout the archipelago
again the seeds of that anarchy which
American administration has de-
stroyed. M. Parker says that we
should not withdraw until the FIJI
pinos are capable of self-government;
former Governor Taft, a Republican,
present Governor Wright, Demo
crat-men with years Of experience
on the ground, both agree with all
who have personally studied the stu
alton in the Philippines that that peo-
pie cannot be taught the element OF
self-government for generations. So
Mr.. Parker's solution postpOnes Amer
ican retreat from the Orient for de-
cades. Yet he would have us promise
them now what We will do-a promise
which would light the incendiary's
torch and draw the assassin's knife
from Luzon to Mindinao.
Opposition Prophesies.
Have the Opposition been right In
any one of their prophesies of ruin
and disaster?
Four years ago the Opposition said
that we could not suppress insurrec-
tion there, just as it once said that we
could not suppress rebellion here; to-
day peace prevails as never before In
the Philippine history.
Two years ago they said that we
could not establish civil government
there; today the best civil govern
ment among all the hundreds of mil
lions of the Orient is at work in the
Philippines.
Three months ago the Opposition
demanded that we Immediately fol-
low in the Philippines the Republican
precedent established in Cuba, al
though their conditions are as differ
ent as their locations on the globe
Today their candidate declares that
Filipino independence should come
only when we finish the work we have
begun
The Needed Policy.
The Philippine problem is mighty
problem. A clear firm Judgment, a
steady unbroken policy; ready re-
sourcefulness, a kindly hand that
never wavers-ail these are neces-
sary no mater when solution we may
individually prefer. Whatever our in
dividual views, all admit that Ameri-
can interests, American prestige,
American honor are involved Does
the Opposition show a single quality
necessary to meet the situation? Is
there unity in Opposition council;
certainty in Opposition policy? Does
not the Opposition's vagueness in fin
ancial policy, tariff policy, trust policy
become chaos itself in its Philippine
policy? And is that the kind of party
to handle this great question in which
not only the interests and honor Of
tho Republic are involved, but in
which are wrapped up the fate of a
backward people and the issue of war
and peace among other nations ready
to seize what we desert?
A Fictitious Issue.
Uncertainty in financial policy, tar
riff policy, trust policy; Philippine
policy; insincerity in that fictitious
issue called militarism-that is the
Opposition's attitude in this cam.
paign. The liberties of the people
imperiled by militarism. says the Op
position. Militarism changing the Re
public to an empire, declares the Op-
position. What militarism? We are
at peace with the world. All nations
are jealous rivals for our friendship.
What does the Opposition mean by
militarism.
FsrubIIc Speaks for Itself.
Contrast Republican policies with
Opposition policies. 1t is order
against confusion: definite purposes
against vague proposals; sound rec
ord against chronicle of folly; broad
policies uniform throughout the Ma
tion against baphazard policies differ-
ent In different States-protection In
West Virginia. free trade in Texas;
gold In New York, free silver in Ne
braska. All the world knows what
the Republican party has done and
what 1t means to do. The nation it.
self-prosperous. powerful, with grow
ing prestige and spreading influence
lis present and mighty proof of the
wisdom and the righteousness of Re-
publican statesmanship. How for
tunate for party which when ques.
toned about its conduct Of the Repub-
lie can produce as its chief exhibit the
Republic ITSELF
We Republicans fear no militarism
I'VE have too much faith In the
American people. We believe that as