The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-14
THE IMPtRiALISTlC IDEA
NATION CANNOT ENDURE HALF
REPUBLIC, HALF COLONY.
JEFFtRs0NS tEAS OF tXoANsl0N
Bryan's Plan to Prevent Colonial Policy. He
Left Savannah Last Night for Wash
ngton. win light Against
lmperi4 4IiSm.

mpsri4Iism.
Savannah. Ga, Dee. 13.-Colonel Will
liam J. Bryan, upon leaving his COM
mand to-day, the Third Nebraska regi-
ment. gave the following interview:
My reason for leaving the army was
set forth in my letter to the Adjutant
General rendering my resignation. Now
that the treaty of peace has been con-
cluded, believe that | can be more use
ful to my country as civilian than a
soldier"
Colonel Bryan then proceeded to the
discussion of public questions. saying:
1.-The people of the United States hav-
ing rescued Cuba from fore gn control,
may now resume the discussion Of the
domestic problems which confront this
nation, and the consideration of the new
questions arising out of the war
Il may be in error, but in my judg-
ment our nation is in greater danger just
now than Cuba. Our people defended
Cuba against foreign arms; now they
must defend themselves and their coun-
try against q foreign idea-the colonial
idea of European nations. Heretofore
greed has perverted the Government
and used its instrumental interferences
for private gain; but now the very foun-
dation principles Of our Government are
assaulted.
'The imperialistic idea is directly an
tagonistic to the idea and ideals which
have been cherished by the American
people since the signing of the Declara-
iton of independence. Our nation must
give up any intention of entering upon
a colonial policy (such as is now pur-
sued by European countries) or it must
abandon the doctrines that governments
derive their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed.
1--WE may believe that governments
come up from the people or we may
believe that governments come down to
the people from those who possesses the
heaviest cannons and the largest shiTs
but we cannot advocate both doctrines.
ITO borrow Bible quotation, a
house divided against itself cannot
stand paraphrasing Lincoln's declara-
tion, ] may add that this na ton cannot
endure half republic and half colony
half free and half vassal. Our form of
government. our traditions. our present
interests and our futures welfare, all
forbid our entering upon career of
conquest.
Jefferson has been quoted in support
of Imperialism, but our opponents must
distinguish between Imperialism and ex-
panSion; they must also distinguish be-
tween expansion in the Western Hemi-
sphere and an expansion that involves
us in the quarrels OF Europe and the
Orient. They must still further dis
tinguish between expansion which Sc
cures contiguous territory for future
settlement and expansion which secures
us alien races for future subjugation.
Jefferson favored the annexation of
necessary contiguous territory on the
North American continent, but he was
opposed to wars of conquest and ex-
pressly condemned the acquiring Of re-
mote territory"
When asked how the colonial policy
CO1Iu De prevented, 1OlOncl bryan SHIu
''Some think that the fight should be
made against ratification of the treaty,
but / would prefer another pan. If the
treaty is rejected negotiations must be
renewed, and instead Of settling the
question according to our ideas, we must
settle it by diplomacy, with the posi-
bility of international complications. II
will be easier. think, to end the war at
once by ratifying the treaty and then
deal with the subject III our own way
The issue can be presented directly by
a resolution of Congress, declaring the
policy of the nation upon this subject
The President says in his message that
our only purpose in taking possession OF
Cuba is to establish a stable government
and then turn that government over to
the people OF Cuba. Congress could re-
affirm this purpose III regard 10 Cuba-
and assert the same purpose III regard
10 the Philippine Islands and PoFtc
Rico. Such resolution would make
clear cut issue between the doctrine oi
self-government and the doctrine Of i'm
perialism. We should reserve harboi
and coaling station in Porto Rico and
the Philippines in return for services
rendered, and I think we would be justi'
fed i'll asking the same concession from
Cuba.
Sin the case Of Porto Rico where the
people have as yet expressed no desire
for an independent government. We
might with propriety declare our willing
ness to annex the island, if the citizens
desire annexation: but the Philippine
Islands are too far away, and their peo
pie too different from ours to be annex