The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1889-02-08

Samoa and the United States.
lwritten for the prmocRAr.l

(Wfitten for the DEmocRAT)
The time has come for the United States
to show her hand. The Germans have
played the pirate long enough In little
Samoa, and II is extremely necessary, that,
by force OF arms, this country cause them
to halt. England should join forces with
US 10 compel the Germans to dcsist from
further depredatIons but the signs OF the
times augur that the British Empire does |
not want brush with the armies OF VIII |
helm. True, our feet Is not frst-class
one but we have other advantages and
should follow them up. We can land
troops sufficient at Apia and other points
In Samoa, which, acting in concert with
our feet. would give the Germans the
sound ,hrashing they so justly deserve. In
our opinion, the time has passed for diplo
matte interference. Let our Minister be
recalled from Berlin and Germany's en-.
bassador at our National Capital receive bis
passport home. Let war be declared. Let
our North and South Pacific squadrons,to-
gether with our now famous dynamite
cruiser, "The Vesuvius," and rs many
other gunboats as possible, be fastened 10
the Samoan Islands. Our flag has been
insulted. Our Congress has been insulted.
The honor and integrity OF the entire
United States demands instant reparation
and that reparatIon can only come through
| judIclous and immediate use OF powder and
lead. The late dispatches are Of no friend.
~ nature and the mobiizing of German
men-of-war at Apia means stubborn
hght u any country interferes. Our treaty
with Samoa. means our interference In the
present crisis. VIII we do III Must VIC
allow Germany to obtain foothold In the
South Pacific and float her flag over the
Samoan Islands II our Congressmen are
far-seeing enough they will instantly
recognize the utility Of these South Pacific
Islands In the future. The interchange OF
commerce, not TO speak Of the necessary
eoaling stations, Is enough TO make us de-
clare Germany's actions rs indicative OF
war and prepare to contest the ground.
True, shouid a skirlnIsh ensue, the fighting
will be st and around the Samoan Islands,
and whilst the German men-of-war may
be better than ours, we have active sailors
and marines who are much more proficient
than Bismarck's swillers OF lager beer and
devourers Of prcszels. The firing on, the
tearing down of the stars and stripes Is
surely war sign and should be met by
broadsIdes from our Navy. Wetrust Con.
gress will not be slow in the matter. The
State Department has laid all the necessary
information before that distinguished body,
40 there Il no excuse for them 10 delay.
The tariff shoald now be laid aside. Tariff
10 only a matter between the two parties
and, whilst Of vital importance, Is not &c
much 70 as the maintainance Of our honor
and integrity as n people. Upon Samoan
affairs the North. South, East and West are
unit. No loyal man, and such exists al
over our broad domain, viii say "nay" "a
our prompt interference. Within our mem
ory, and not many years ago, Bismark In
| suited our eouutry, and then the cry wal
: raised we have no Navy. With the knowl
edge Of our being nearer 10 Samoa thar
Germany, and our ability to successful,
cope with that power, we cannot shout ''n'
Navy" "war be 1t then,we have million
for defense, but net one cent for tribute,
said Pinckney years ago at the Frencl
Court, and BY that ENJOYS resolnieness
strife was avoided. Let the same sayin
c be now our watchword, for our treaty obi
u cations with Samoa, solemn as they ar
= place us in an attitude compromising, II
d deed. II we do not stop German encroacl
u ments over there, and prove to the wor
|. that she United States of America is Il
: greatest power on earth, and though {
., home issues we may split and fight, "
r when our flag is insuited. We all rise, I
9. blue and the grey, hand in hand to resent
January .sth, 1889.
e YouSo DEMOCRACY