The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-20
He Speaks In
Boston
ON THE PHILIPPINES
Banquet of Young Mems
Democratic Club.

Boston, Dec. 1s.-At its annual meet
ing and banquet tonight, the Young
Mems Democratic Club listened to nu-
merous speeches on expansion-and i'm
perialism by two recently elected
democratic congressman, Henry r.
Naphen of the tenth and John r.
Of the third district, as well as
by Mayor quincy, C. S. Hamlin and
others. Both the annual meeting, which
was held before the banquet, and at
which the election Of officers took place.
and the banquet itself, were largely at
tended, and singing was one of the
features. President Henry w. Lamb
presided and introduced Mayor Quincy
the first speaker
Mayor Quincy spoke as follows: The
selection of the subjects of national ex-
pansion and imperialism as the topics
of discussion at this representative
gathering of democrats. including ad-
herents of the various opinions upon
the current questions which have I'M
fortunately somewhat divided our par
ty in the past is a recognition of the
fact that new and grave issues are
confronting the people Of our country
and demanding their thought.
I'VE hear O great deal about eXpan-
sionists and i-eXpanslonists, impe-
rialists and auti-imperialists, and there
is a strong effort to enlist every one
under one of these banners or the
other. For myself. l cannot accept
either Of these extreme designations.
am free to say that / am so far
conservative in respect to these mat
tiers that 1 sympathized with the presi-
dent of the United States in his oppo-
s.tion to going to war with Spain, and
I should not have been willing TO take
the responsibility for the annexation OF
Hawaii. To that extent, ! suppose, I
am in harmony with what seems to be
the prevailing sentiment among the
more highly educated portion of this
coYnnlunity. So far as the dollars and
cents argument goes, 1 also doubt
whether any returns which we can get
out of our new possessions during our
generation, at least, will pay for the
new national expenditures which we
shall be obliged to incur.
Admitting the great differences be-
tween expansion of our past history
within the limits of the American con-
tinent and the new national expansion,
which has carried US to Cuba, Porto
Rico. Hawaii and even to the far-off
Philippines, the fact remains that we
have raised our flag over new and dis
tdnt territory, and that unless past
history is to be contradicted, that flag
will not be lowered while the popula-
ton. wealth and power of this country
continue to grow. Rightly or wrong
", the great body Of the American
people will go with their flag, and will
sustain it where 1t has been planted.
A majority Of the people of Cuba Will
probably themselves wish to come into
the United States as a territory with
the prospect of attaining self govern
ment as a state when they have reach
ed a stage Of political development
Which fits them for full membership in
the Union.
Thus far have spoken Of expan-
sion; now as to Imperialism. be-
lieVe IN our American principles and
system Of government; but if every one
VINO does not believe in making the
Filipino an American citizen, and
giving him vote, must be cIassed as
an imperialist then 1 must accept that
designation. I believe that the demo-
cratic party will make a great mistake
if it fails to recognize that what Is done
is done, that for good or for i'll, the die
has been cast, and this country has
entered upon 6. new era OF it's life-upon
a period when even splendid continent
tai isolation must give place to closer
relations, when the Unit
States, now become one of the greatest
powers of the world, must inevitably
assume a larger part Of the RESPONSE
billties connected with the government
Of the world"
Henry f. Naphen, in his address. said
that the democracy of the country
stood united against the policy Of ex-
pansion. Mr.. Naphen further said:
1T is said that trade follows the flag.
That is not so. 1t follows the lowest
price and the best wares, especially
when we do not discriminate against
other countries. Even il we should
the islands and convert
those unciyilized people into consumers
and control the entire exports and i'm
ports, the cost win not only exceed the
profits ON the business, but the entire
volume of trade"
c. s. Hamlin, in speaking of what he
would do with the Philippines, said:
Let us grant them complete autonomy
under our protection, without annexa-
ton"
Congressman-elect Thayer spoke on
THE annexation of the Philippine Islo
ands, the first step toward imperialo
ism At the opening of his speech
he urged that everything should be
done 10 reunite the democracy, regard
less of whoever personally shall be
honored or advanced thereby. He said
the democratic party was one OF princi-
pies, not of men. In the course of his
remarks, Congressman elect Thayer
said:
This is very grave, important and
subject, demanding the
best thought and most careful consid-
Grafton of all. Yet / doubt somewhat
the eXpediency of members of congress,
who may directly or indirectly be
called upon TO participate in deciding
this question committing themselves in
advance. / think they should be free.
as it is the lot of congressman to be, to
hear and weigh arguments advanced
for and against the project. to the end
that the best thing, not for party, but
for the nation, shall be done. l firmly
believe that the commander-in-ch of
The army and navy, for the time being,
should have the prompt and willing
support of congress in every proper
way it is possible, to aid him in carry
ing out his policy of war and terms of
peace, providing that in this policy
there is no infringement upon the con-
or the established policy of
our republic, or imminent danger in
fC,ont;,,,,ol -, rNLs,-a ~.