The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-12-12
THE POLICY OF EXPANSION
THEME OF 4 TIMELY DISCO URSE BY
 THE REY. LEVI GILBERT.

lIc Declared That All Parts of the World Are Being Bound Together In Closer Knowledge ana sympathy by Reason of National Territorial Expanston- The Spiritual Side of the Question.
 Last night in the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, the pastor, the Rev. Dr.Gilbert spoke onthe theme "The Pol icy of Expansion" He said in part: We are living in an age of great natural territorial expansion. The chief na- tions of Europe are dividing among themselves the other continents and ex- ploring and colonizing every new sec ton. Great results for the race in the crushing out of old inhumanities, slaveries, superstitons, ignorance, bar parity, are the consequence. All parts of the world are being bound together in closer knowledge and sympathy. Our nation has entered into this tendency and is becoming a great world-power The old definition of the United States will soon be fact, that it is bounded on the north by the Aurora Borealis, on the south by the equator, on the east by the rising sun and on the west by eternity We have lately added Hawaii with 1000 square miles and 90,000 popu- lation and by our treaty with Spain Porto Rico with $500 square miles and S00,C00 population, the Philippines 120,- 900 square miles and nine million peo- pie, besides exercising some sort of con- trol over Cuba.
 For good or i'll we are committed to the new policy of expansion. It is not wonderful that such great movement should excite debate and varying opin- ions. Those who oppose it quote Wash ington's warning against foreign com plications; contend that the expense for navy and army will far exceed the commercial gains; that the islands will be easily attacked in time of war; that we shall be embroiled in the European complications in the far east and are being used by England to further her schemes, that we have not, as England has, any demonstrated faculty for col onizing and governing distant depend cies; that our own civil service in our own country is too corrupt and our col onial governors would be as bad spoils- men as Spains; that we have two big a problem on hand in governing America with it's great area and mixed popula- tion; that our recent race-riots show us what trouble we may expect abroad; that imperialism is radical departure from democracy; to take people with out their consent and govern-perhaps to subjugate then1-to hold them in suzerainty without representation is contrary to the very genius of a repub- lie. Besides we thereby abandon the Monroe doctrine and commit ourselves to quixotic scheme to civilize all bar barism. In reply it is stated that we did not start out on any career of conquest we are not land-grabbers, the islands were in our hands and could not be re- turned to Spain or disposed of to other powers; they were not fit for self-rule without anarchy; our duty to civilize and Christianize is clear-Provdence has Jed us into situation and a duty from which there is no escape We do not contemplate annexation to our nation. The Pacific is our ocean-we are nearer these people than any European power; our commerce demands this natural outlet and large profits can be realized
 
 not foresee our position and the whole condition of affairs has been changed since his day. With every addition to our territory there have been the same gloomy prophecies. Expansion is not a new idea with us. Webster pronounced a great oration against the acquisition of the west What do we want" said he, "of this vast worthless area?" We of power without the responsibilities.
 The question of expansion enters ev- anywhere, commerce and cities broaden. The state sees that it's field must widen and take in great social functions. It is no time for timid, time serving opportunist statesmanship with small views and contracted outlook. As Low ell said this land of ours was "nursed by great men with empires in their brains" Our leaders must have wide plans and vast enterprise.
 Education is broadening it's view Studies are multiplying. Technical schools abound. High schools protest in the name of the most liberal mind-cul- ture, against a purely utiitarian edu- cation. The colleges expand. Compare Yale now and Yale twenty years ago
 
 ident Dwight is able to accomplish Every individual has duty to enlarge his mental horizon, to acquire rich in- tellectual holdings, while he lives in an age of great ideas. There is also the expansion of the social instinct shown in widening philanthropic endeavors Selfishness falls before the growth ot race sympathies.
 In theology, too, we see the expansion of religious ideas. Jesus broadened all religion with his great contributions particularly his teaching about God as Father. Science-the discoveries of Copernicus, Galilee, Bacon, La Place Darwin-have given broader views. It is seen that the "scheme of salvation is corporate, including communities, na- tions, a regenerated humanity, king dom of God on earth. We need broad men in religion-not lax men. teaching heresy undermining faith, but catholic tolerant men like Stanley and Brooks It is no time for the bigot and sectar- ian, impervious to new ideas, untouched cd by the spirit of his times. We need 6 conception of religion broader than simple worship-a religion entering into all life, taking hold of all activities, in- teresting itself in national. municipal