The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1904-10-13
|CUBAANDTHE PHILIPPINES
The LOGIC OF JUDGE PLVKEgS
POSITION
Consequences Of til: War With Salia
involve tn, Gtavs Question Whether
WeShall Remain a Republic.

Was not the experiment Of turning
the Cubans loose to govern themselves
good enough. Has not even little
time proved that they were capable OF
self-government?
And how is 1t with the FilIplnos? In
those 1000 islands there is a saving
proportion of intelligent people sensi-
bile enough to govern the rest OF them.
| They were our allies in the struggle
with Spain, whom they had fought for
nearly 200 years. Cuba's battle had
been very much briefer. The Demo-
| cratic party started In to force the war
with Spain on the high ground OF hui
manity. The existing Republican Adj
mlnistration. for one reason and an
other. held Off the war as long as 1t
possibly could In the face OF over
whelming public opinion. To tho
credit of some Republican patriots. but
not of the party, there was body OF
members of the House of that party
who joined cheerfully with the Demo-
| Gratis who were clamoring for some
| thing of q definite and positive policy
which should justify the olden boast
for this Republic that II was the home
| Of the brave and the land OF the free.
| AND that the harbors of all Its long
extending shores afforded haven for
| the oppressed of all nations. For this
| the Democracy Of Congress. Endorsed
| by the Democrats of the United States
and the patriotic, sympathetic people,
of this country. forced. drove and
goadcd the Republican Administration
| to 60 into the war with Spain. 1t was
not to Cypress anybody; 1t was not In
any spirit of bravado. The American
pe0ple have ever been peace-lovlng
population. They had their wars enough
and plenty. They had fought each
other to the bloody finish of better and
happier mutual understanding. They
went into that little fight with Snaln.
united and determined to win. They
did win, and the glory. scant rs 1t was.
was enough to 70 all around to he
shared by our common country. Cuba
was freed and put where she could
govern herself. Exactly the same con-
ditons obtained and prevailed as to
the Philippines. 1t was early an
nounced to them that there would be
no conquest for territory. (See Nc
Kinley's papers.) BY all the truth OF
the history of this Republic they had
every reason for faith in the sincerity
of American professions. Their lead
ers of thought-not the miserable Mo-
ros Wood has been killing-but right
eously ambitious human beings home
loving, preserving people, had
read. with thrills of delight the story
Of America. the Republic of the United
States; read the words of the Declara-
ton of Independence. studied the
meaning of our Constitution. and were
satisfied. And how are they feeling
now? What security, what hope Is
held out to them In the professions and
promises and pretenses of our Chief
Executive, who has belittled and
abused the statesmen who have made
sur Republic the boast Of the highest
attainment Of human government!
Definite promise Of self-government
was made to the Cubans and was kept.
They have justified our confidence in
them. A like promise was made to
the Filipinos. 1t has not been kept. 1t
will not be kept with Theodore ROOse-
welt still President of the United
States, and ambitious longer and In
definitely to rule this country as he
has recently been dominating his own
party.
The last analysis Of 1t all Is, shall
we remain Republic or embark upon
empire, which would mean our GER
tain destruction?
"The people of the United States"
as Judge Parker says In his letter or
acceptance. "stand at the parting OF
the ways"
To return to the old right way OF
the Republic be has mace a noble APP
peal. He has met all the boastfut
challenges of the Republican President
bravely, unshrinkingly, The people OF
the United States will endorse Judge
Parker In November.