Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-04


held by the fathers and founders OF the
republic: and surely the Views OF the ar
chtects OF this fairest fabric OF human
polity In all the annals OF the ages are
entitled to respectful consideration. But
aIas 1t Is the shibboleth OF Young Amer
lea" to whistle down the wind the admoni-
tons Of these patriarchs as the idie iore-
bodIngs OF by-gone and out-grown era
BEYOND QUESTION.
The Virginia Convention of l7S' ny
which the Federal Constitution was
adopted. was beyond all question one or
the wisest assemblages Of statesmen and
political philosophers that ever met TO-
gether in this world OF ours. Among
these sages there was none superior Ill
intellect. sagacity. and patriotism 10
George Masonic him who drew that
immortal paper, the Virginia BIZ OF
Rights. from which Mr.. jefferson borrowed
the principal part Of the great declara- p
ton. Let me cite one passage from MS
remarks before that ilustrious body as
recorded I'm the proceedings OF the 'th
day Of June: 1T Is ascertained by MS
tory" he saws. that there never was
government over very extensive coun-
try without destroying the liberties OF
the people: history also. supported by the
opinions Of the best writer's. SHOWS US
that monarchy may suit "A large territory
and despotic governments ever so "Ntch-
siye a country. but that popular govern
ments can only exist In small territories.
Is there a single example on the race OF
the earth to support a contrary opinion
Where IS there one exception 10 TINS
general rule?'
The most noted men I'm that roted con-
yention shared with Mr.. Mason the con
victions and the fears which he expressed.
The territorial extent Of the Union as
contemplated by the fathers was limited
10 the thirteen colonies including the
northwestern territory belonging to Nir-
ginla. and the county of Botetourt. out
81 which Kentucky was formed.
sUPERHUMANLY ENDOWED
II is due 10 the candor OF discussion 10
say that these trainers of the Constitu-
ton seem To have been sIperhumanly en-
lowed and builIrd wiser than they
knew. for the wonderful instrument
which they contrivcd as the event has
shown. held in secret and sacred reserve
an expansive energy far beyond the ut
most reach Of their prophetic ken. our
Increasing population has year by year
carried westward the course Of empire
filing up the vast ohio AMI Mississippi
Valleys. pouring through the portals Of
the Rocky Mountains. and down its west
crn dccliviticS 20 the utmost verge or the
contirent. while in its wake community
after community with organized social
CONTACT has Knocked AT the door Of the
Union for admittauce until an unbrok"n
belt Of separate but associate states
stretches across the continent ana con
meets the two great oceans ~ earth the
whole covered and overarched by the am
pie aegis of the Constitution.
TESTIMONY OF HISTORY.
But lot rs not because OF this unforo-
seen fitness Of the Constitution 10 sur
mount the pcrlls of the expanding repub-
lie presumptuously conclude that the ap-
prehensions of the sages who devised II
were altogether idle and unfounded. They
challenged thu testimony Of history in
support OF the fears which they eN-
pressed. No doubt the two great republics
Of antiquity were the most prominent OBJ
iect lessons that excited their alarm
They had not misread the story Of those
REPUBLICS. The lust OF conquest carried
the arms and empire Of Greece from the
cataracts of the Nile 10 the banks Of the
Indus: but this dazzling dominion was
purchased at the price II the rrpuh-
Hcan liberties that nurtured those
mighty masters ln art, literature,
AMI philosophy whose achievements
all after ages have contemplated
I'm admirluc despair The same
greed Of empire extended the Appian Way
beyond the Adriatic. and through Mace
d0nia to the Hellespont, bridging rivers
and dwelling mountains 10 construct
causeway along which Rome could march
her iron leeilns 10 the conquest of the
world but where this stupendous military
road reached the Aegean. thousand
al
and lost the last battle for the republic
and for the liberties Of the citizeh
Thenceforth the sway Of the Caesars and
the tyrauts-the Cdligulas. the Neros, the
Domitians paved a speedy path for the
invading Naaiaia and Goths.
Stall w. write down these misgiv,ngs OF
Mason and Madison and the founders
of our Federal system AS idle phantasms'
Not so, That is a fine aphorism when
Bclingbrole borrows from Thucydid"s.
;lat history is philosophy teaching by ~
ampes." Surely the records Of history
may by their examples teach MS this pre-
crpt Of philosophy. that the direst foe 10
republican simplicity and perpetuity IL the
lust Of conquest and dominion, and its
meyitabl. attendants Of luxury and vice.
\ NOTE OF WARNING.
or course many Of your readers VIII
thrust this aside as the crOaking OF an
"old fogy." Well. be it SO, but may 1
not appeal 10 you as the conductor Of tn
paper which has now Tor more than half
n century been the conservative factor In
VIRGINIA Journalism To sound "A note OF
warning against this folly. this infatua-
ton. of anneXing the Sandwich Islands?
A. | said in the beginning Of this diffu-
sive letter. you have been sympathizins
with the anucXatiOnists. / am obliged 70
believe that this Is from want % sober
consideration Of such step In its far-redch-
ing sequel Who can doubt that II Ha-
wall shall BE- annexed IL Will prove 10 bee
IN" haleful beginning Of conquest, and &C
quisltion farther and farther ont into the
nimitablr Pacific II ! may borrow
metaphor the genius II territorial eNpan-
sion having accompanied the silver queen
Of night In her course across The CONT
nent should part company with her as she
walks in her brightness through the gold
IN gate OF California Tor II 1t shall fol-
Low her alluring lead To these nearest isles
of the Pacific IL will not be then content
t. bid her aGieu but viii eagerly press on
10 where she holds midnight court with
her Australian stars. our territory IS
ample To hold and support a larger popu-
.atlon than that which now occupies the
continent Of Europe We have as yet but
scratched the surface OF the vast and opu.
lent area Is II not better for US 70 occupy
and build up the undeveloped domain We
already possess rather than stretch out
for futher acquisitions?
The star OF empire that has so glOriously
led the way OF our resistless march across
the continent. may, as it seems to me-
complacently pause for century TO come
where the waters Of the peaceful ocean
wash our western shores.
l.. 5. MARYE.
Oy-ter-Culture; McDOnald's Plan.
RICHMOND. VA. January %, 1891.