The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-11-03

correSpond1ngly the principles ana lueF> y
we have inherited from the founder ~SNt
! the republic gave way to ideas as >C,o
' powers of our government wb,
| ed widely rom Abraham 80 i
government of the pee. . .e peo-
| pie and by the people,
Disregard of \ Its.
when we annexed the Philippine is
lands. it was done not only with COM
plete disregard of the rights and the
/ wishes of the people thereof-a disre--
gard as absolute as ever caused any of
the conquests of the Roman empire, or
| of the French empire under Napoleon
but also with a hardly less absolute dis
| Iegard of ne spirit of our political in
| stitutions. Tie annexation of the islands,
! and the subsection by force of the Fill
pinos fighting for their independence,
were as different from the intentions of
the fathers, as government by superior
| artillery is from government by the con-
sent of the governed.
when we contemplate the morale OF
the policy of conquest and subjugation, as
it has been carried on, and is now defend
ed by the republican party, we cannot
but feel serious anxiety as to the per-
manency of democratic institutions among
us The great principles proclaimed by
1 the declaration of independence that gov
ernment derives its just powers from the
consent of the governed stood substan-
TALLY unquestioned among us until the
| imperialistic policy of conquest and ar
bitrary rule over the conquered was en-
, tered upon 1t was recognized as the very
essence of democratic institutions. Now,
1t Is seoffed at by many Of the leaders
of the republican party as glittering
generality, that has no practical mean
ing, and no application; as baby talk mt
for the infancy of this nation, but ridicu-
lous in its present state Of power. Indeed,
it is perfectly logical for them to deride
and reject it If they mean to justify and
maintain their policy of conquest and
dominion
True Source of Power.
But let me ask them as citizens Of
democratic republic what the true source
of the lust powers can be If not the con-
sent of the governed? Is it force? That
would be despotism. Is it wealth? That
would be plutocracy. Is 1t the privilege OF
birth or position In society? That would
be aristocracy What remains then as the
source of the just powers of free govern
ment but the consent of the governed, In
its range and its effect of free govern
ment but the consent of the governed,
in its range and its effect regulated by
! self-made law. You deny that, and you
deny the vital principles of democratic
institutions. And Imperialism does deny
it.
at denies It first with regard to the
subjugated alien populations. II the i'm
periaistic tendency continues we shall
soon have some experience at home In
fact they are already beginning to ap-
pear. You cannot fail to notice that
whenever you quote the principles pro-
claimed in the declaration of independ-
encee in connection with the case of the
Filipinos. YOU are fiercely assailed as un-
patriotic citizens. who are stirring up our
subjects to revolt. In fact, member OF
the administration, in speaking of the
present and future of the Philippines,
stops very little short of admonishing us
that every public discussion of that sub
ject-unless it is in entire harmony with
the policy of the administration-should
stop. for the reason that 1t might excite
hopes among our subjects which the ad-
ministration is unwilling to crafty.
Now, what does this mean? Demo-
cratic government is essentially govern
ment by public discussion. md now we
are told that we should not freely dis
cuss question of such stupendous inn
portance as that whether the United
States should remain simple democratic
republic or become colonial empire; that
the principles of the declaration of inde-
pendence, the fundamental principles of
our republic, should not be mentioned in
connection with the matter lest our colo
nial subjects hear of 1t, and that as the
administration knew this business best,
the people should leave it to the adminis-
tration to determine the course to be
| taken concerning it.
Will Be More of 1t.
This is only an initial, tentative at
| m 70 IL ipfa in, I,o-
half of the government. But there will be
more of it, II the imperialistic spirit Is
| permitted to prevail. In this resepct we
must not fail to keep in view the great
power welded by the President in the
conduct of our foreign relations. The con-
| stitution provides that only congress shall
/ have power to declare war; to create by
| his conduct of our foreign relations sit
uations which make war inevitable 1t
may happen that in such an occasion con-
| gress being opposed to war would not con-
| sent to it If consulted before hand, but
| it may be confronted by things already
done, by accomplished facts, which mako
| the escape from war exceedingly difficult,
! if not impossible.
The President may then force war upon
| the country, in spite of the adverse opn-
ion of congress. He may do this, keeping
! as to the exercise of his powers with
/ in the letter of the constitution, although
| hagrantly violating its spirit and intent.
| And he may do this almost sure of the
subsequent approval and support of con-
| gress, which when an accomplished fact
has put our country in an attitude more
f, or less hostile to a foreign power is usu-
| ally very reluctant to disavow our gov
ernment. We have an illustration of his
| in the history of the Panama affair II be-
ing very doubtful whether congress. even
the republican part of it, would If pre-
viously consulted. have approved the pol-
! icy pursued by the administration. while
| the accomplished fact easily commanded
| the acceptance of the majority
| Is Dangerous Power.
This power of the executive is evident
| ly a dangerous one, dangerous to the
| peace of the country, as well as to the
integrity of our institutions, unless the
| President cherishes a conscientious re-
| spect for the constitutional limitations
| of his power, and an overruling desire
| religiously to observe the spirit and in
| tent as well as the letter of the consti-
| tuition, as we'll as an innate love of peace
| and fair-dea;ing. You may judge for
| yourselves how dangerous is such power
| under the influence of the imperialistic
tendency, with it's lust Of conquest, and
dominion, its love of adventure and mill