The Congressional Philippine Insurrection Medal of 1899

At the beginning of the First World War in 1914, the United States was still a minor player on the world stage. The country’s growing industrial base made it a desirable ally, but the country had not been tested militarily on a large scale since the Civil War. There were numerous minor conflicts between 1865 and 1914, including the Siege of Mexico City (1867), ‘expeditions’ to Formosa (1867), Korea (1871), the Second Samoan Civil War (1898-1899) – which involved Germany and saw the US acquire American Samoa, the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901), numerous – and often infamous conflicts that fit under the ‘Indian Wars’ umbrella, and of course the Spanish-American War (1898-1899).

Regarding the latter conflict, US Navy Commodore George Dewey had defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila bay on May 1, 1898, but could not occupy the city for three months until a sufficient amount of troops arrived – and after a stage-managed defeat and surrender arranged by Spanish Gov. Fermín Jáudenes, designed to salvage his honor. Meanwhile the wider ‘Span-Am War’ continued until Treaty of Paris was signed December 10, 1898, transferring authority over the Philippines to the United States.

The war was to have far-reaching consequences for the two main combatants. Spain’s loss of territories like Cuba, the ceding of Puerto Rico and Guam to the US, and selling sovereignty over the Philippine Islands for $20,000,000 turned the country inward to address domestic issues. Of course all of this had the opposite effect on the United States. Suddenly the US was a player on the world stage, complete with overseas possessions – as minor as these considerations were.

While the Treaty of Paris transferred authority over the Philippines to the US officially, it was not welcomed by Filipino leaders, i.e. those with true control over the country outside Manila. They simply elected to continue their ‘revolutionary’ struggle against their new governors, the United States, which in time came to be called an insurrection. On the American home front, notables from the American Anti-Imperialist League like William Jennings Bryan, Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, opposed annexation of the Philippines.

Nonetheless fighting began on February 4, 1899 and soon broke down into a relentless guerilla war, complete with civilian and military massacres, as well as reports of atrocities by all sides. While history regards the conflict concluded in 1902, resistance and sporadic fighting continued until 1906. In the end, 200,000 civilians are estimated to have perished, 20,000 Filipino troops, and 4,300 Americans – though nearly 3000 were lost to disease, leaving around 1,500 killed in action.

The 59^th Congress established a medal for ‘those who followed the flag’ by public law 360 on June 29, 1906, and implemented through War Department order 124 of July 9, 1906. 

The medal was struck in bronze, 1-1/4 inches in diameter, and with an oxidized finish.The obverse relief depicts a color guard carrying the US flag, and surrounded by ‘PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION’ and exergue 1899. The reverse shows a symbolic wreath composed half of palm, representing the Philippines, and half of pine, representing self-determination. Centered is the phrase ‘FOR PATRIOTISM, FORTITUDE, AND LOYALTY.’ Mil. Spec. numbered MIL-DTL-3943/196.

Identifying numbers were stamped on the rim, this particular example bearing ‘No. 6336.’

Ribbons were 1-3/8 inches wide, with the colors ‘Old Glory’ red, white and ‘ultramarine’ blue representing the colors of both the United States and Philippine flags, and were often mounted on ‘full wrap’ brooches. Mil. Spec. numbered MIL-DTL-11589/118.

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Trinity of Treason and Seditious Libel: The Thomas Spence ‘Conder Halfpenny’ Token

And on the heels of my last post about the anti-Thomas Paine halfpenny Conder token comes this one dedicated to Thomas Spence (1750-1814). 

An English radical and advocate for the common ownership of land, Spence was one of the first to use the term ‘rights of man,’ beginning with his ‘Property in Land, Everyone’s Right’ in 1775, later reissued as ‘The Real Rights of Man.’ 

Like Paine, he also believed in bringing an end to aristocracy, but added to his list landlords. Universal suffrage, a social guarantee for those unable to work, and an unconditional basic income (what would today be called welfare), as well as the ‘rights of infants’ to live free from poverty and abuse.

While he never left England, Spence did spend seven months in Newgate Gaol for high treason, and like Paine, was convicted of seditious libel and sentenced to twelve months.

Here is a good example of a Thomas Spence halfpenny, one of the lesser-known copper Conder tokens. It features on the obverse a pig running roughshod over the emblems of church, state and monarchy, with the Phrygian cap - sometimes called a liberty cap, symbolizing freedom and the pursuit of liberty above. From the mouth of the pig flies a ribbon inscribed with ‘Pig’s meat Published by T. Spence London.’ 29 mm in diameter.

The reverse bears the legend ‘Noted advocates of the Rights of Man,’ and names Thos. Spence, Sir Thos. More, and Thos. Paine.

This particular token may not be as desirable to collectors as the 'End of Pain' anti-Thomas Paine token, but it is still one of my favorites.

For more information about Thomas Spence, check out the Thomas Spence Society's website.

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A Royal Pain[e] in the Neck - The Anti-Thomas Paine 'Conder Halfpenny’ Token

'In a sane world the idea and the law will dictate, and we shall have no more use for personal dictators and ruling gangs. The politicians will come to heel when they realize that the wind is setting steadily in this quarter of the compass.' - H.G. Wells, The Rights of Man, or What Are We Fighting For? (1940)

Child of the enlightenment Thomas Paine (1737-1809) is remembered today as one of America's most famous revolutionaries: deist, political activist and theorist, philosopher and journalist, Paine was also a leading proponent of transnational human rights. Author of several pamphlets vital to the American revolution such as 'Common Sense' (1776), and 'The American Crisis' (1776-1783), it was Paine's 'Rights of Man' of 1791 that directly concerns this essay for it's link to the 'hanging Conder token.'

Benjamin Franklin had helped Paine emigrate to the United States in 1774, where he would write the pamphlets that would make him a household name. However by the early 1790s he had become harshly critical of George Washington - even coming to believe the president had conspired with Robespierre to imprison him. Paine moved to France in 1790 and of course involved himself with the French Revolution, even being elected in 1792 to the French National Convention - despite not speaking French.

In 1791 he published 'Rights of Man,' a treatise establishing the legitimacy of revolution when a government fails to protect the natural rights of its people. Despite trying to make the case that his attack was aimed at despotic tendencies in the institution of monarchy and not the king himself, the landed classes and monarchy were not amused.

The pamphlet concludes by proposing a reformation of England's government along American lines, including the abolition of hereditary titles, pushing for subsidized education, and a progressive income tax designed to prevent wealthy estates from establishing any sort of hereditary aristocracy.

Naturally Paine's views were not popular with French or English aristocrats, and having been considered an ally by the Girondists but an enemy by the Montagnards, he was arrested and spent 1793-1794 in prison. Upon release he published 'The Age of Reason' (written 1793-94), a pamphlet which advocated deism, free thought and reason, while at the same time criticizing Christian doctrine and institutional religion. He remained in France until he was invited to return to the United States by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802.

But let us now jump back to 'Rights of Man,' which was published in two parts in March 1791 and February 1792. The second part was dedicated to Lafayette, and the pamphlet's call for republicanism and social welfare caused him to be tried and convicted in absentia for seditious libel by the British crown.

Since he was living in France and therefore unavailable for hanging, a patriotic anti-Paine token was struck in copper in 1793 to vent the British spleen. 'Conder tokens,' sometimes called '18th century provincial tokens,' were privately minted coinage used in areas of England, Scotland and Ireland. Named after an early collector and producer of these unique pieces, numismatist James Conder (1761-1823), they generally came in three sizes, a 21 mm farthing, 29 mm halfpenny, and 34 mm penny.

A large variety of these tokens were minted with different themes, sometimes issued as low value coinage for specific businesses, since the British government did not produce their own small denomination coinage despite a chronic need dating as far back as the 14th century!

The obverse of this satirical anti-Thomas Paine Conder halfpenny token shows a figure hung from a gibbet, obviously meant to symbolize Paine, under the motto 'End of Pain,' and with an inscription on the reverse, 'May the knave of Jacobin clubs never get a trick.'

Another version is known to exist, having on the reverse in raised relief over the pages of an open book, 'The Wrongs of Man, Jany 21: 1793.' Ever so full of pith and vinegar!

I've recently come across another Thomas Paine Conder halfpenny and will get to that shortly.

H.G. Wells Society - Planned Events for 2016 in Woking and Bromley

As some of you know, I have studied the life, work and thought of British author H.G. Wells for over 35 years, and it has been my privilege to manage the H.G. Wells Society's website since late 2000. 

2016 marks 150 years since his birth (and 70 since his death), and many events celebrating his life and work are being planned in Woking - where the opening chapters of "The War of the Worlds" were set, as well as his birthplace in Bromley. The following is reproduced from the society's website. I will periodically repost news here at American Chimæra.

A group of local residents, enthusiastic H.G. Wells supporters, local community stakeholders and voluntary groups have met since end of 2013 to lobby support for an H.G. Wells programme for 2016. With the support from officers at Woking Borough Council, progress has been made in putting together a programme of ideas, projects and events.

Please note that this is not a definitive list, but merely a suggestion of what could be delivered in partnership with key groups and organisations and sponsorship.

To discuss any of the proposed ideas, events or projects, please contact:
Riëtte Thomas – Celebrate Woking Project Manager
Woking Borough Council – 01483 743805

Riette.thomas@woking.gov.uk

Planning in progress during 2015

• Commission an H.G. Wells Sculpture to be unveiled in September 2016
• Commissioning of an art project with local artists working with Ochre studios, the Lightbox and Surrey Arts. Project starts in September 2016, with launch of exhibition at the   Lightbox end of March 2016 to May 2016.
• Educational projects with schools starting in September 2015 to April 2016. Well known author Stewart Ross, artist Stuart Phillips, Photographer Richard Booth and Science Fiction illustrator Fred Gambino will lead workshops at local schools. Artwork will be displayed at an exhibition at Party in the Park 2016.
• Work with Ambassadors to put together a programme of music, talks, film and drama during September 2016.
• Work with the H.G. Wells Society to host a two day international conference in 8-10 July 2016.
• Update the information in the H.G. Wells Conference Centre to make reference to the name of the centre around the building.
• Completion of H.G. Wells trail to the sandpits on Horsell Common by Horsell Common Preservation Society by summer of 2016, working with volunteers from local businesses.
• Update Celebrate Woking and Visit Surrey websites with H.G. Wells information as well as project information.
• Secure funding/sponsorship for community projects.
• In conjunction with the London Borough of Bexley and Bromley, the society is holding an event at Bromley Library on Saturday 24th September 2016. This will be a culmination of a series of events in Bromley during the week commencing 19th September which of course includes the 150th anniversary on 21st of H.G. Wells’s birth in the town. We have now confirmed the main speaker will be noted novelist and H.G. Wells Society vice president Christopher Priest. Other details coming soon.

DRAFT

H.G. Wells Programme for 2016: Celebrating 150 years of H.G. Wells, 21.09.1866 – 13.08.1946

• 29 March – Launch of Ochre Studios Art Project “War of the Worlds” at the Lightbox for VIP guests/Official launch of the H.G. Wells Programme for 2016.
• April 2016 – H.G. Wells art Exhibition at The Lightbox in partnership with Ochre Studios (1 April -31 May).
• Easter holidays – Display in library / Readings from H.G. Wells books, tbc.
• 23-29 May 2016 – Half Term at The Lightbox – tbc.
• Talk about HG Wells @ The Lightbox – tbc.
• 27 May 2016 – Proposed guided walk by Iain Wakeford: “Friday night on Horsell Common” – will take in the sandpits and the action that took place on the Friday in the book when the Martians landed. Meet at 7pm in the Horsell Common car park off Shores Road.
• 18 June 2016 – Launch of the Summer Programme – tbc. “Pop up Performance in Jubilee Square” tbc.
•  25 June 2016 – Talk about H.G. Wells tbc.
•  25 June 2016 – Proposed guided walk by Iain Wakeford: “The Fighting Begins in Maybury” – will take in HG Well’s house and what happened to the Narrator in the book on the Saturday after the Martians emerged. Meet at 7pm in the car park on Horsell Common by Monument Bridge.
•  2 July 2016 – “Pop up Performance in Jubilee Square” – tbc.
•  8-10 July – H.G. Wells Society AGM and International Conference at the HG Wells Conference Centre.
•  9 July – Party in the Park – Woking Park:“H.G. Wells Themed” with Science Fiction Film.
•  23/30 July – Talk about H.G. Wells, tbc.
•  24 July 2016 – Proposed guided walk by Iain Wakeford. “In the Storm at Pyrford” – will look at the return home by the Narrator in the early hours of the Sunday morning after taking his wife to safety at Leatherhead. Meet at 7pm in the car park at Pyrford Common.
•  Jul/ Aug – Book display in Library / Readings / Book display in bookshop – tbc. Talk about HG Wells – tbc. Readings/display at Library. Summer activities @ the Lightbox – tbc.  Activities @ WWF – tbc.
•  13 August – Mark H.G. Wells’s death in some form.
•  28 August – Proposed guided walk by Iain Wakeford. “Woking in Wells’s Time” – A two hour stroll looking at some of the places associated with the author in the town centre and Maybury Road areas. Meet at 2pm at the town centre entrance of Woking Railway Station.
•  21 September – Mark his birthdate in some sort – tbc. Proposed launch of Peter Beck’s book. “HG Wells’ War of the Worlds from Orson Welles to Steven Spielberg to Jeff Wayne.”
•  18-24 September – Ambassador Programme of talks, music, drama and film – tbc. Unveiling of the Sculpture of H.G. Wells – date tbc.
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