The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-02
Do Not Need Colonies.

me English colonies of course, enjoy
their freedom, since they are permitted
to trade where England directs. England
IS E;- an 5 empire This is a plain republic
now have a country, three-fourths of
which is yet new and undeveloped. 1t is
unsurpassed in natural resources, and the
climate is equal to that of any other coun-
in the Post, copied from the Galveston
News, showing the vast resources of the
ticle, was said of Texas is comparatively
true of all the states, and especially of
sources, agricultural, horticultural min
eral, cotton and stOck-growing are mex
would sustain a population equal to that
Of this country and all Europe combined.
sippi to the Pacific and from Mexico to
the Brltlsh possessions Is unsurpassed in
wants of man is beyond calculation So
far we have merely occupied the field with
skirmiSh lines widely deployed Here and
there camps have been esta blished and
nucleus formed for the grand industrive
army that is moving on. Not only have
we this rich undeVeIoped country west
but we have an equally rich fertile coun-
try east, which, all in all, climate, soil
stands pre-eminently as the choicest part
of Gods green earth.
great country and build for ourselves
comfortable homes, under the roofs of
comforts of life and liberty our fore
fathers erected and bequeathed to US,
free republican form of gOVernme which
stood for a century and more, as the idol
of the American people Under this gov
eminent our people have prospered Our
population has Increased from three to
seventy millions: public schools and other
, institutions OF learning nave been estab-
lished railways constructed and factories,
fOundries and manufactures built and put
in successful operation.
During the past fiscal year the surplus
products, produced by our people and ex-
ported to other countries exceeded our
imports to the extent of over six hundred
million dollars.
War For Humanity.
cent blessings; in the face of the fact that
our government was at peace with all the
resources and unparalleled prosperity, we
find our government all of a sudden
cost many " vaiua Bic lives and Countless
[ millions of money. And all for what?
scarcely been heard since war was de-
ciaPed Then; Il not for Ti humanity n for
that the American people should seriously
consider.
denly into war, without any person being
hea 70 GIVE yang reason a 9d
can people who do not wish to be taxed
for the support of a powerful navy
large standing army, colonial officers, and
periodical wars with the natives in the
to a harbor of Safety2
ment, heretofore. have been very great,
but our increased expenses hereafter
be still greater This with increasing
local taxes and decreasing tariff revenue
will ere long become burdenSome.
Colonial empire sounds lofty. and large
standing army and powerful navy have a
sort of awe-inspiring influence on the few
foreigners who happen to come this way,
but will that compensate for the addition
al coSt2
Is not the old government, with all it's
glorious institutions, under which the
American people have grown great and
strong. good enough after all? Would 1t
not be better to withdraw our army and
navy from Cuba, Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines, and let the people of those ISL
ands govern and take care OF themselVesE
We have already sacrificed lives and eX-
pended money enough to satisfy every
body that we have done our full share as
humanitarians in freeing those people
from the yoke of Spain. Now let US let
them manage their own affairs in their
own way. and not sacrifice other thOus-
, ands of young American lives and other
millions of money in a vain attempt to
put on and wear SPANS old shoes
Perils of Colonial Policy.
Spain has been trying this colonial bust
ness in these same islands for many years,
and during the greater part Of the time
she has had wars on her hands therein
that have cost the lives of many of her
awful slaughter, sacrifice and suffering of
Now. in view of all these facts. and for
many other good and sufficient reasons,
would it not be the part Of prudence and
wisdom for the United States government
tentfon and surplus money to the devel-
opment of our own country! Let US turn
our attention to the peaceful pursuits OF