Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-10-20

every evil policy, to our own injury.
Faithfully yours,
ARTHUR G.. A. HALL

every evil policy, to our own injury.
Faithfully yours,
ARTHUR c. A. HALL.
Washington, D. c., Oct. Z, 1893.
FROM PRESIDENT BRAINERD OF
~ MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE.
Presidents OlIlce,
Mddlebury. College,
Middlebury, VT, Oct. H. 1898.
Hon. G.. G. Benedict:
In my opinion it would be unwlse for us
in the present condition of affairs to at
tempt to mold the Philippine Islands or
even the Isle of Luzon as subject territory.
% The cost of subjugating and govern
ing the islands would be too great (2)
The temptation to exploit the island by
adventures and traders would lead to
serious evils. G. 1t is inconsistent with
our political policy during all our past his
tory Aguinaldo and his people are anx-
ious to try self-government; it is not for
Al nation whose life began with the dec
laration Of independence, to crush out this
aspiration even among a half civilized
people. Very truly yours,
EZRA BRAINERD.
FROM EX-GOVERNOR AND COMMITS
SIONER WOODBURY..
Washington, d. c., Oct. 3, 1893.
Hon. G.. G. Benedict:
Dear Sir: Early in July expressed my
views in the columns of your paper, and
time has intensified my convictions, as
then expressed. Those who favor the inn
peral policy talk grandly to the effect
that this country should enter upon a new
era Ct commercial expansion should take
its proper place among the nations Of the
earth. etc. etc. This sounds well, and II
we did not count the cost of such policy
1t would be adopted at once by all Amer
leans. Such a policy would no doubt,
n while but it seems to me at a fearful
less of life, and it would be a constant
menace to our peace. The permanent oc-
cupation of the Philippines, of Cuba and
Porto Rico by our troops would cost us
hundreds and probably thousands of lives,
annually. What shall we receive in ex-
change for the precious lives Of our cit
.zens? Pride of possession! The cost
is too high
We should have, in my opinion, n coal
ing station on tho Island of Luzon; but
no more We should do to Cuba as we
promised, viz: endeavor to establish there
Il stable and free government. If we can
do the same by Porto Rico it would suit
me. concur with the views expressed in
the speech of Judge Powers, recently de-
livered in Vergennes. Yours.
URBAN A. WOODBURY..
FROM PRESIDENT BUCKHAM OF
THE UNIVERSITY or VERMONT.
l do not know whether the term "imper-
ialism" was invented by the friends or the
enemies Of territorial expansion. To the
student of history It Is certainly a term
government in remote colonies; peoples
held in subsection by armed force; plan
der we'll or disguised; a rchux of license
and corruption to the parent State. We
have thus far escaped these evils in good
measure, in spite of immense expansion
because the new materials have been in
corporatcd into the body polite and have
come within its assimilative force. Blu,
this assimilation which has been our sal.
walton, will not operate upon colonies
certainly not upon remote colonies. In
short the essential idea OF American poll.
teal existence, that without which II
ceases to be American and becomes no one
knows what, a thing of uncertainty and
terror, Is the republican idca-the par.
ticiration Of the people in government
We have no use for any people who can.
not come with us into this most precious
partnership, who cannot share with us
this serious but glorious responsibility
Such people would inevitably be an IN,
cuhus; and might be menace to oui
own peace and security
Yours truly,
NJ. II. BUCKHAM.
Several other replies have been receiv-
ed, and others are expected which will he
given to the public in a later issue of the
FREE PRESS.