The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-06-03

are other royal islands that are to fol-
low in the wake of the Philippines if
the victory of Manila shall be pursued
to its legitimate results. Porto Rico
and Cuba yet await us, as the logical
completion of the victory. Are we to
be the almoners of freedom to the OPP
pressed victims of SPANS heated mis-
rule? Are our young soldiers and sailors
to carry new life, new hope, commerce.
DEVELOPMENT, better civilization,
Christianity itself to the millions Spain
has ruthlessly crushed! Are we to find
expanding room in oriental and tropical
seas, in islands of fabulous wealth for
our growing commerce, our trade, our
Anglo Saxon energies?
In this very connection we can but
remember that I'VE never yet acquired
territory which however vehemently
opposed, did not enrich the nation.
And every party which fought those
territorial acquisitions, lost public con-
fidence, and died. We acquired
Florida and Louisiana by purchase, con-
quered California, New Mexico, Utah,
Arizona and Nevada and received
Texas by voluntary annexation. We
then purchased Alaska of Russia.
Who would dare propose the surren-
der of one of these splendid acquisitions
If we secure these islands by conquest
how can we get rid of them by justice
to their oppressed people, and with
amity to the ruling nation of Europe?
An imperious necessity appears to be
laid upon us, to care for them in
definitely, and then the entanglements
of trade, commerce and emigration,
will invite permanency in occupation.
I am not and never was of the school of
limoges" But new conditions, unex-
pected and prodigious facts, circum-
stances now beyond our control compel
thinking men to pause and consider
whether Providence itself has not de-
creed to the republic an enlarged fu-
ture and imposed greater obligations.
The people and nation to which
Washington addressed his Farewell
Letter." no longer exist. That embryo
confederation was but limited chain
of settlements along the Atlantic coast,
but three million strong, without
money, without roads, without ships,
without power, and almost without
hope. Today America is colossus,
whose expanding limbs bestride CONT
nent Much of Washington's advice in
that justly celebrated letter, is no more
in order than the limited operations of
Franklin in electricity. The America
of that day was but an eaglet, mewling
in it's nest, without wings, without
talons. Today it is the full grown bird
of Jove, sailing the vast sweep of the
azure sky!
Temporal mutantur, ct nos mutamus
in ills. Another lesson already
taught by this opening war, that hence
forth we are to be naval power among
the nations. 1t is public opinion, it is
manifest destiny. This war has
aroused us to that purpose. A great
navy keeps war from our own shores.
1t limits the slaughter of men in battle
as compared with campaigns and bat
ties upon land. 1t saves our fields from
desolation and our homes from plumber
Naval warfare is also less expensive
than campaigns on land. Besides a
great naval force has become essential
to the protection of our immense sea
coast, and as safeguard for our
world growing commerce. We have
always been victorious upon the seas.
AS in the war of 1912, with Algiers,
Tunis and Tripoli, and in the late war
when Farragut and the Monitor, vindi-
Gated our marine supremacy. And now
comes fresh laurels in oriental seas,
under the brilliant Dewey. Already
had our navy began definite enlarge
ment in 1885 under Secretary Whitney,
who richly deserves the credit of
providing us the very ships which now
enable us to meet Spain with success on
every sea.
Like England, our march will yet be
DER the mountain wave, our home be on
the deep"
Another thing we have learned is,
that the long proposed, too-often de-
ferred Nicarauga canal has become an
imperious necessity. We see now, as
we never saw before, its supreme
Importance. With that canal within
our own control, we could adequately
protect our Pacific coast; we could
speedily reinforce the gallant Dewey.
See that wonderful voyage of the Ore
gon, 10, 900 miles, and sixty-fve days up
on the ocean, when she might have pas
sed the Nicarauga canal in thirty-six
hours, That canal would enable us to
control Asiastic commerce, and in any
future entanglements, would give us
vast advantage with any foe. Public
opinion should compel the government
to push this necessary project to a
speedy completion.
Ill