Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-26

these islanders the protection OF our
mower until they shall have demonstrated
their ability for self-government placing
them among the nations OF the world
IL they are able to occupy such a position
or accepting our duty and ruling them
IL they need foreign rule. Every foot Of
country heretofore under Spanish rule
should be taken away. and Spain itself.
which Is only separated from France by
an imaginary line, the Pyrenees noun
tains. should be given TO France in
part payment OF her help to us in l776
in our war Of Independence. Let US re-
member that 800 years ago the possession
OF American mines was the basis of
national power, and on this foundation
alone Spain built UP a mighty empire.
The eold-mine OF the future will be ,he
trade OF the Chinese empire, and for this
the great nations Of the earth are con-
tending to-day. Without strategic point
in those distant seas our part will be
small I'm the struggle and the profit Why
not keep one, or ALL that come fairly
into our possession? We now pay Eng
land S9ooo00.O00 annually for the trans
portation OF our goods. That sum might
be kept at home II we owned our mer-
chant marine-the same ships. in time of
OF attack and defence. Why should Ger
many be allowed to influence our plans
in the far East? At war with us she
could not send a warship TO the China
seas, for she could not coal at English
stations II we return what we have
won we shall be In the same predicament.
The nation which will not protect its
own must resign itself TO be taxed by
foreigners, and now England has the
power TO tax us as effectively as the
representatives we send TO Washington.
In the hundred and more years since the
Inauguration OF George Washington as
our first President, the United States has
II memory serves me Alright, in one way
and another acquired a great deal of adj
ditional territory. The first was In lS5,
when President Jefferson purchased what
was known as the Louisiana purchase,
out Of which a large number of States
have been carved The criticism Of Jeffer-
son for making that purchase was
as sure as the annexation OF the Philip
pines would be now Its constitutionality
was asailed and Jefferson had such
doubts that he favored a constitutional
amendment legaliZing what he had done.
Congress ratified the act, but no action
was taken looking TO a constitutional
amendment. Everybody agrees now that
Jefferson did a wise thing. Afterwards
West Florida was seized by General jack
SON in the Creek war and in 1919 the title
TO the whole State of Florida was obtain
ed by the United States, with about as lit
tie ceremony and about the same respect
for SPANS demands, as is now observed,
while the title TO Porto Rico is passing TO
the United States. In 1916 Texas was an
nexed TO the United States by virtue Of
resolution passed by Congress. This
brought on the war with Mexico, and that
war resulted in adding to the American
Union California. Nevada, New Mexico,
Arizona. Utah, and part Of Colorado.
Later, in 1853 another body of territory
was acquired from Mexico. by virtue of
what is known as the Gadsden purchase.
In 1867 William II. Seward. Secretary Of
States under Johnson, purchased Alaska
| from Russia Since then, over thirty
years. no addition has been made to our
| territory until the annexation Of Hawaii
a few weeks ago by Congress. These facts
| show to those who are saying that we
| are cutting loose from the idea and spirit
| Of our government that they are simply
mistaken. We took and bought all the
| territory we own from the English IN
dams, Spaniards, French, and Russians,
and It is time we were getting more.
Spain. az l said. has asked for peace.
remember that Toral said. II would not
wish my bitterest enemy 10 play the game
with the cards dealt to me, but my worst
| danger is at my back" Sagasta, like
| Toral, knew that the enemy in front held
| a hand too strong for him, but while he
| can bluff there is hope, and he is not the
| first politician who preferred his place 10
| his country's good. Toral had the courage
10 do the thing required-Sagasta has not.
| Indeed. Toral displayed a courage or
| which Sagasta has not the faintest trace.
Hannibal advised the Carthagenian SEN
ate to surrender, Caesar calmly submitted
| to the daggers of his assailants, and Ma
poleon abdcated. Sagasta has a spirit
| that is not heroic" but that of the fox
Mute with strangling hounds. A French
army besieged Saragossa, and Spaniards
| of double it's numerical strength fingered
in the shelter of the wall still they starved
| TO death. We would judge those men TO
| be towards and foolish-to Spain 1t Is "A
glorious chapter in history" Passive en-
| durance. Mr.. Editor. may be a fine trait
! in a woman, but national martyrdom rare
| w sows seed for another crop. Leonidas
| would not surrender but he died lighting,
! and the Spaniard cares little for the star
| walton Of others, while his board is sup
piled. The honor that is based upon the
| difference between "capitulate' and sur
render is not worth having, and Sagasta
would gladly leave his responsibility for
/ his failure on the shoulders Of the Queen
Regent. The American humorist covered
the whole situation when he offered 10
! send all his wife's relations to the front,
| and Sagasta would be the star of a fine
| comedy IL he were not prime actor in a
great tragedy.
JOSEPH II. SHEPHERD.
| About Ponies.
| (O,,r Animal Friends