The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-12
IN FAVOR OF EXPANSION.
Declaration Showing How the Policy
Is Growing in Favor.

Boston Herald.

We believe the die is cast. The admin
istration has adopted the policy of ex-
pansion because a large majority of the
people are in favor of it. While we have
advised the conservative course as long
as 1t was an open question, we believe it
IS our duty to accept the inevitable and to
use what influence we can in favor of en-
tering wisely into this new field We shall
doubtless make many mistakes but we shall
learn from them to improve our methods.
We have great faith in the instincts of the
race. Professor Seeley, one of the most
philosophical of English historians. says:
In a truly living institution the instinct of
development is wiser than the utterance of
the wisest individual man."
When we remember what the instinct of
development has done for This race in the
past we are led to ask whether this eX
pansion policy may not mean development
instead of the disastrous result predicted by
conservative citizens. A policy that was
wise when Washington delivered his fare
well address, or a policy that was cour-
ageouS and eXpedient when the Monroe doc
trine was enunciated, may be superseded
now that we have attained a population Of
1900. 900, with our industries fully developed,
and the most dangerous element Of internal
discord removed by the destruction of slav
cry. 1t may be that our advent as a world
power is necessary about this time. and that
the dropping of these tropical islands into
our hands like ripe apples may mean that
we have work to do in the world.
Great questions are rising in the Orient
have already riSen-in the settlement of
which this great. free country should have
a voice. Our navy, with it's victorious
prestige, will be needed to stand by the
side of the navies of Great Britain and
Japan to save the commerce of China from
selfish and despotic exploitation. We be-
lieve we see advantages to be gained by
the policy Of expansion. We believe it will
vastly extend our trade. help to purify our
civil service and UNNECESSARILY broaden our
politics. With Hawaii and the Philippines
as way stations on the Pacific, we shall no
longer neglect the advantage we have in
being thousands of miles nearer the Orient
than the commercial countries of Europe
We must, and shall modify our fiscal pol
icy to enable us to build up a great mer-
camille marine on the Pacific, which our
high tariff has heretofore prevented.
In governing distant islands. with large
alien populations. as yet undeVeloped, We
must have a civil service based on merit
We shall be shamed into this because we
shall be on exhibition before the world
Cheap politicians, who sheer at the reform
OF civil service. will be powerless to pre-
vent IT, Finally. these possessions will
broaden our politics. presenting questions of
worldwide interest TO take the place OF
petty local disputes. The American con-
boundary OF ais district now. Will be
obliged 10 prepare himself to grapple with
world problems. If we stii bring 10 bear
the influence OF the conservative and reform
sentiment OF the country upon the methods
10 be used I'm the new field. we believe that
the result will be the development of our
own country and benefit to the world in
general