The Tupelo journal., 1904-10-28

TO destroy a mans reputation, property. lib
erty. or even life ITSELF
This country should hasten to the
relief Of that situation.
Challenge to Republicans.
II ask IT the republican party
whether. if the administration Of the
United States should be continued in
it's hands. it proposes to undertake to
apply any remedy.
will 1t enact for the Philippines
proper statutes, regulating their af-
fairs with some view to their inter-
est?
"Will it give their perishing ship
ping relief?
"Will it give them tariff regulations
under which they can exist?
1--WE hold the Philippine islands.
Have we taken proper steps to fulfill
the obligations therein assumed? Are
the Philippine islands to-day a self.
supporting community?
Are not their efforts toward &C.
curing such position embarrassed at
every turn by the legislation we have
forced upon them? Had we left them
ito their own devices they might have
dealt with foreign nations. Had We
brought them within the United States
Of America they might have dealt with
us. To-day they can do neither.
Where are the Philippine markets!
Where the development Of their nat
ural resources? Why should not
those islands, asserted by all and con
coded by all to have great natural re-
sources, be self-supporting? warn
the republican party that it is not an
unheard of proposition that an op-
pressed use the term advisedly-an
oppressed people should be FESTIVE.
Americas Real Interest.
"The true questions which have con-
cerned relations with the Philip
pine islands from the moment of our
taking them, and which remain to-
day utterly untouched for any good
to the islands themselves, and the
questions which will regulate their flu
ture-in other words, the real basis
on which the Philippine islands inter
est US politically-are: the Philip
pine tariff, Philippine taxation, and
encouragement to their shipping in
terests. These matters regulated to
the advantage of these islands, Phil
ippine Independence will appear on the
immediate horizon. Continue as we
are doing to Cypress these people, and
one of the most veXed questions that
this nation has ever been called upon
to deal with will confront us inter-
minably.
Beware of Imperialism.
"Bht aside from the duty we owe
the Philippines in preparation for the
enjoyment of the blessed privileges We
possess, we should guard carefully
against the danger to ourselves of an
imperialistic policy. History teaches
that from republicanism to imperial
ism the movement is gradual and un-
perceived by the people. It's ominous
progress when discovered leaves open
but two courses-submission or resort
to violence.
THAT our people may never be COM
PEELED to choose between these fearful
alternatives should be our prayer. But
we should work as well as pray. And
our work should be to guard the
foundation on which our government
rests. It's basis is that of declared
ideas-ideas that are stronger than
battleships and armies-ideas which
for more than a century have slim
ulated our development, and which
have given promise that our world
mission shall be not to seize the ter
ritory of distant peoples, and rule
them with a scepter of iron. but to
establish truth, honor, justice and
peace among the nations.
1--WE must choose whether within
our borders the basis of government
shall continue to be this idealism Or a
materialism which is the sure pre-
cursor of dissolution, for nc nation can
endure upon a basis of materialism,
however splendid. Prudence requires
that choice be made in time. The time
is now"