Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-02
Territorial Expansion.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Much has been and is being said abou'
territorial expansion" Conflicting opin.
ions in this. as well as in all great politi
cal questions, are e~manating from mer
of all parties and creeds. AS yet, the
lines have not been drawn. nor can 1t be
truly said they will be, until the dawn.
ing of the presidential campaign in 1900
VIXEN the two great national parties will
meet In convention and present TO the
people their respective platforms. But
while the parting of the ways may not
come for some time yet, it is high time
that each individual who loves the insti-
tutions bequeathed TO us from an illus
trious past. and holds dea those political
principles promulgated by the distinguish
ed lights of liberty should study deep the
question which will in the future in a
great measure form the dividing line of
the two great political parties.
The Republican party has shown unmis-
taxable signs of adhering to the policy of
expansion, and extending the country's
boundary beyond the seas. In its annexa-
ton of Hawaii it has stepped far beyond
the original contemplation of the Consti-
tuition, and has now made a precedent for
what the most far-seeing prophet cannot
foresee. Aye, one might say that his ac-
ton brings to us possibilities almost be-
yond the owe of the imagination 10 con-
ceive. While 1t is only the progressive ma
ton that discards the trodden paths that
nave guided the footsteps, that plunges
out in the unknown arkness to grope for
objects to crafty its ambition, yet in the
policy of territorial expansion, we are
certainly drifting on an unknown sea.
But while no one can tell the ultimate
outcome of such a policy adopted b. a
nation so peculiarly constituted as our
own, 1t must be obvious to every reader
of the past and all who observe the events
of the present, that this action is only
laying broad n deep a foundation for a
consolidated empire, with a power at
Washington scarcely less potent thar the
Imperialism OF st. Petersburg. 1t is an
innovation that filings to the past the pet
theory Of Jefferson and Henry and Mon
roe and Tyler-those rights that thirteen
sovereign States achieved when the Eng
lish flag was lowered at Yorktown, and
have ever remained with them, except
those delegated powers to the National
Government-which was intended to be a
government Of delegated powers. But IL
has been the constant aim OF the Repub-
lican party. as the successor to the old
Federal party, TO make the delegated
power overshadow the States that created
a league, and bury their rights and pre-
negatives which they acquired upon the
battle-felds Of the Revolution. State
sovereignty, the issue that caused the
war between the States" though sig
naily submerged by the capltulation at
Appomattox. is still an attribute OF ZACH
State.
II Is obvious to every one that the on
ward march OF the Republican doctrine Is
fraught with as much disaster 10 the po-
litical power Of the State, and consequent
ly to the individual. as was the march of
It's soldiers through the Valley OF Virginia
when one Of It's lights was made TO boast
OF his desolation so complete that a crow
would have 10 carry his provisions"
IL has been the boast OF the Democratic
party that every nch OF acquired or pur-
chased territory has been achieved by the
Democratic party, except Alaska, but the
territory thus annexed was contiguous.
and was needed to round off cur bcun-
dairy. The Democratic party found a
small strip along the Atlantic coast, and
extended its boundaries until IL Is now
half a continent. rocked In the giant arms
of W mighty oceans. and then said.
Stop" And to-day hat party. which has
lived from the foundation OF theyrepubiic.
and has seen the birth and death Of every
opponent save the now-existing party of
AAdAral domination and abominabla caa-