The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-13
"AGIN THE GOVERNMENT"

'Silver Dick" Bland Is opposed to the
expansion Of American territory. as
might be expected. 1t is the nature of a
free silver sharp to be "agin the gov
ernment." He can never be with 1t.
certainly, for that sort of a crowd will
never run this government.
In the same issue was printed the views
Of David J. Brewer, Republican men,
Der of the supreme court of the United
States, in line with those of Silver Dick
Bland.
John M. Thurston, Republican senator
from Nebraska, on the 7th inst. said:
We don't want the Philippines nor the
millions of semi-barbarous people who
inhabit them. 1t would be great mis-
take, 1t seems to me, to annex those
islands.
Charles w. Fairbanks, Republican SEN
ator from Indiana. on the 7th inst. said:
believe we ought to leave the dis
position of the Philippines to COM
mission.
Julius c. Burrows, Republican senator
from Michigan, on the Sd inst. said:
AS to the Philippines l do not believe
that we want the entire group, with
its several millions of semi-barbarous
people. I don't think this government
should retain control or interest in the
rest of the islands after having taken
possession of the one We want.
George F. Hoar, Republican senator
from Massachusetts,, on July goth said:
1t is impossible, with our eyes on this
constantly changing kaleidoscope, to
predict with certainty how we are to
solve the difficult problems that are
coming upon us at the end of this war
with Spain. But of this you may be
sure, that the vote of every person who
now has legislative responsibility In
either house of congress by the choice
of the Republicans of Massachusetts,. or
is likely to have such responsibility
hereafter, will be cast in accordance
with the opinion of Massachusetts,. Her
opinions on such questions are the fruit
of nearly 300 years of great and honor
able history. She will not depart from
the Declaration of Independence. She
will not depart from the doctrines of
liberty laid down in her own constitution.
She will not consent to be the ruler
over vassal states or subject peoples.
She will enter upon no mad career OF
empire in distant seas. She will not
seek TO force her trade upon unwilling
peoples at the cannon's mounih. She will
not exact tribute or revenues from men
who have no voice in regard 10 them.
She will not consent to enter with the
powers of Europe into any partnership,
alliance or contest for the plumber Of
China or the division of Africa or for
the subjugation of eastern archipelagos,
or for compelling unwilling peoples to
trade with her. 1t will be sad thing
for the country, it will be sad thing for
mankind. if the people of the United
States come to abandon their fundament-
al doctrine. We are giving 1t a hard
strain in our dealing with the negro at
the south. We are giving It hard strain
in our dealing with the great problem
of immigration. But 1t cannot stand If
this country undertakes also to exercise
dominion over conquered islands, over
vassa states, over subject races-if, in
addition to the differences Of race and
the differences Of education, we az
tempt to govern great masses Of people,
aliens in birth of strange language, of
different religions. If we do it, our
spirit will not, l am afraid-God grant
that 1 may be wrong-the American
spirit will not enter into and possess
them, but their spirit will enter into and
possess us. The best thing we could hope
in such case is that we shall succeed
only as England has succeeded with
those of her colonies which she admits
to no considerable self-government. 1t
is much more likely that we may fail
as Spain has failed.
William e. Mason, Republican senator
from Illinois, last week said
am opposed to the whole doctrine of
imperialism. would never put the flag
l love above any nation in the world
against its wishes.
Andrew Carnegie, one Of the f1nancia
pillars of the Republican party for {
quarter of a century, only this week said
1t has been hitherto the glorious mis-
sion of the republic to establish upon
secure foundations triumphant democ-
racy;nand the world now understands
government of the people, for the peo-
Pile and by the people Tires the repub-
lie so soon of its mission that 1t must,
perforce, discard 1T to undertake the
imposs, BILE task Of establishing triumph
ant despotism, the rule of the foreigner
over the people, and must the millions
of the Philippines. who have been as
serting their God-given right to govern
themselves, be the first victims of
Americans, whose proudest boast is that
they conquered independence for them
selves?
We might fill pages with the utter
ances of Republican leaders and Repub
lican journals opposed to territorial ex
pansion. But this would be work o
supererogatien. The state convention
of the party in Illinois, in Pennsylvania
in Michigan-held since the outcome o
the war required no seer to foretell-
were silent upon the question. In hi
inaugural address President McKinle!
declared:
We want no wars Of conquest. We
must avoid the temptation of territorial
aggression.
In 1890 the Pan-American congress, al
invention of Harrison and Blaine, de
clared, among other things:
The principle of conquest shall not be
recognized by the American nations.
Going further, this conference, pre-
sided over by James G. Blaine, set it!
seal upon conquest and territorial ag
grandizement by recommending ant
urging the adoption OF international ar.
bitration by the nations of Europe, il
disputes between them and the repub
lies of America.
Every person quoted IL single golt