The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-12-28

forth in my letter to the adjutant general
treaty OF peace has been concluded, I be-
neve that l can be more useful for my
country as civilian than a soldier" Mr..
Bryan then proceeded to the discussion of
public questions, saying:
"The people of the United States having
rescued Cuba from foreign control may now
resume the discussion Of the domestic prob
lens which confront this nation, and to the
consideration of the new questions arising
out of the war.
Il may be in error but in nv Judgment
our nation is in greater danger just now
tnan Cuba. Our people defended Cuba
against foreign arms; now they must de-
tend themselves and their country against
foreign idea-the colonial idea Of Euro
pean nations. Heretofore greed has per-
verted the government and used it's instru-
mental 1nterferenceS for private gain; but
now the very foundation principles Of our
government are assaulted.
The imperialistic idea is directly antago-
nlstic to the idea and ideals which have
been cherished by the American people
since the signing of the declaration of in
dependence Our nation must give up any
intention of entering upon a colonial policy
(such as is now pursued by European coun-
tr1es), or 1t must abandon the doctrine that
governments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed
we may believe that governments come
up from the people, or we may believe that
governments come down to the people from
those who possess the heaviest cannons and
the largest ships, but We cannot advocate
both doctrines.
OPPOSED TO CONQUEST.
ITO borrow a Bible quotation, A house
divided against itself cannot stand para
phrasing Lincoln's declaration. l may add
that this nation cannot endure half republic
and BALI colony--half free and half vassal.
n QnV mt .al1r
present interests and our future welfare all
forbid our entering upon career OF con-
quest.
Jefferson has been quoted in support of
imperialism, but our opponents must dis
tmguish between imperialism and expansion:
they must also distinguish between exDan-
sion in the western hemisphere and an ex-
pansion that involves us In the quarrels of
Europe and the Orient. They must still fur
tner distinguish between expansion which
secures contiguous territory for future set
tlement and expansion, which secures US
alien race for future subjugation.
Jefferson favored the annexation Of
necessary contnguous territory and the
North American continent. but he was op-
posed to wars of conquest and expressly
condemned the acquiring of remote terri
tory"
When asked how the colonial policy could
be prevented, Col. Bryan said
TREATY SHOULD BE RATIFIED
ooHc lillIlk t1dl lHe HSnL SnOulu be made
against ratification of the treaty but 1
would prefer another plan. 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 possibility of international com
piications. 1t will be easier, l think, to end
the war at once by ratifying the treaty and
then deal with the subject in own way.
The issue can be presented directly by
resolution of congress declaring the policy
of the nation upon this subject. The presi-
dent, in his message says that our only pur-
pose in taking possession Of Cuba is to es-
tablish stable government and then turn
that government over to the people of Cuba.
Congress could re-affirm this purpose in re-
gard to Cuba and assert the same purpose
in regard to the Philippine islands and Porto
Rico. Such a resolution would make a clear
issue between the doctrine of self govern
ment and the doctrine of imperialism. We
should reserve a harbor and coaling station
in Porto Rico and the Philippines in return
for services rendered and / think we would
be justified in asking the same concession
from Cuba.
In the case Of Porto Rico where the
people have as yet expressed no desire for
an Independent government, might with
propriety declare our willingness to annex
the island If the citizens desire annexation:
but the Philippine islands too far away
and their people too different from ours to
be annexed to the United States even If
they desired it,
Col. Bryan left Savannah last evening for
Washington and Will arrive there this after
noon. He intends to enter actively into the
fight against the colonial policy.