The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

us. She has no past like ours. She never had a war
of independence, nor did she ever take her stand
upon the principle that governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the governed, or
that all men are created equal. While upon our own
platform of eternal truth, we stood upon a plane
immeasurably superior to any which it was
possible for her to occupy. Now that we have fallen
from our first estate, and lost our Edenic purity, we
are weaker and more impotent than it is possible
for her to be. This is manifest destiny as far as the
governing of the Filipinos is concerned.
It has been urged by many that there is a duty
incumbent upon the United States to take the
Philippines for the purpose of Christianizing the
natives, even although such occupation be against
the wishes of the inhabitants, and contrary to the
principle of government by consent. It is argued
that the opportunity to purchase the islands
constituted a “divine call” to this “Benjamin of
nations” to enter that neglected part of the Master’s
vineyard. Zealous advocates, in earnest tones, tell
of the blessings which will accrue to these
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