Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-10-27

| republican party came into existence
dedicated, among other purposes, to the
great task of arresting the extension of
human slavery. Arresting the exten-
sion OF human slavery; that sounds well.
But it speaks of the virtue of another
generation. All the leaders of the re-
publican party of that day have passed
away. In their place have come diff
ferent men. We need not point out
that which principally differentiates
them. 1t readily suggests itself. But
We will refer to one of the results of that
difference.
Enormous Expense.
after our utter defeat Of the Span
iards, the republican administration
paid to the vain oppressor of the I'M
conquered Filipino $2O,0OO,000 for this
uncertain option on this victims lands,
tenements and Entertainments. In the
attempt to bolster the option We have
wasted over $65O,00O,O00 more of the
peoples money and sacrificed over 200,-
900 lives. e.
| "And the waste of money and the sac
rifice of lives are not yet ended, II the
policy of the administration is to be
continued indefinitely. That policy re-
fuses to promise independence for the
islanders, now, or at any time. or upon
any condition. 1t does not even leave
open the door of hope.
"The administration rails at the den.-
ocratic proposal to promise them inde-
pendence as soon as they are prepared
for it. Indeed, it suggests to 10000, GOO
of intelligent people that such prom
Use would stimulate the vicious to
be more vicious. instead of encourage
ing the improvement which would Sc
cure them What they most desire On
earth-freedom.
Bondage for Filipinos.
Il but state the proposition. 1t ar
CUES itself. If our people agree that
the administration is wrong in threat
ening by it's silence that which it I'M
| doubtedly intends-namely: perpetual
bondage for the Filipinos, the remedy
is in their hands We could have do
mated to Spain a number of millions
and annexed Cuba with equal justice,
and less suspicion of imbecility than
we displayed in acquiring the Philip
pines.
But we have done our duty to
Cuba We have left her to work out
| her own salvation-tO take her place
| in the march of civilized nations
Shall we forbid the Filipinos to hope
for Independence? Shall We prevent
their building up their own civiliza-
| ton, and try to force ours upon them?
Civilization is growth, not dis
/ guise. Every race must work out its
civilization in its own way.
Our duty to the Filipinos demands
a promise of independence. But if it
did not, our own interest demands
| that we be relieved of the Filipinos
| just as soon as they are reasonably
! prepared for self-government. A col
| ony holding nation is ever subject to
expensive wars with other nations,
and with its colonies. This necessi-
tates strong garrisCns and powerful
navies and draws heavily upon the
treasury. And history records no in
stance of a nation receiving from her
colonies anything like an adequate re-
| turn for the blood and treasure spent.
| England's national debt was doubled
by the revolt of the 13 colonies it had
cost her so much to secure.
| Evils Of Expansion.
"The American expansionist, fol-
lowing European argument, alleges
that annexation of the Philippines
must promote progress, foster COM
merce and industry, and introduce the
leaven Of civilization INTO a backward
and inferior race.
1.-the evidence of history is to the
contrary. Certainly the claim will not
be made that we can never get back
the money that has been taken from
the pockets of our tax payers and
wasted on the Philippines And it is
alike certain that but two classes OF
our people can hope to be benefited
by our holding the Philippines, the
class which is always hunting for spe-
cial government privileges and the
class which seeks to make OF Office
holding a means of livelihood.
"The latter class in the Philippines
comprise some officials OF whom a
student of conditions there recently
said: OF the character of many in
office too little cannot be said At the
best they have been inefllcient, at the
worst dishonest, corrupt and despotic.
The islands seem to have succeeded
in getting the very dregs of our peo-
pie
Terrible Picture.
HE also said:
1.-The situation in the Philippines to-day
is so terrible that it passes the comprete2-
sion of people at home
Alphabetically the country is for the
time ruined. Land Is going out Of cultva-
ton. The population is iil-fed. and, in
some places. unable to get work. The coun-
try is overburdened with taxaticn cis-
ease is prevalent; the farm animals dead
the towns in many places in ruins; wEo.e
districts in the hands of ladrones: tho
price Of products poor and unremuEera-
tive.
"'Pub,ic opinion has no free expression
newspapers are bought up OR are brow
beaten into silence: men of influence who