The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-26

Editor or Ihe llmes.
sir-In view of the talk OF the United
States government going into the coloni-
cation business II might be well TO en-
quire what real benent would this coun-
try gain by gaining colonies either by
purchase or conquest
In an article in your issue OF the Pa
By a contributor, reference ls made 10
Great Britain as having the most extern
sive system OF colonization. The writer
of that article is a little out OF point
I'm geography when ne speaks Of Scotland
and Wales. Canada and British America
as colonies Of Britain. mat may
be let sleep. while we turn to the ques-
ton. what good is gained by the people
of Britain by their colonies. Not one OF
them nav one cent of the expenses or
the home government or Of its army ana
navy. In case Of all the old country
bears the expense OF governors appoint
ed by the Crown and OF course all en-
tail expense in keeping up the army anu
navy required for their protection.
one main benefit is in providing outlet
for the surplus population Of the old land
and then the Increase Of commerce
which naturally flows from that. British
colonies do not provide many rat olllees
for any but colonists, so there Is not
mucb room for scramble I'm that direc-
ton. India gives more scope in That dl-
rection owing to a large NUMBER OF bil-
tish soldiers required TO steady the ma
tive army. Inasmuch as the defence o.
India entails the Keeping up OF larger
army and navy than home defence re-
quires. the gain is more than counter
balanced by the extra outlay.
This country does not require dump
ing ground in any part OF the world
for surplus population BY the time IL mas
I'VE hundred millions of population IL
will he time enough &c look for fresh
fields and pastures new If we have oone
all that can be done TO Increase the
nroduce of the millions Of acres when
are now producing half crops ana also
to cultivate the waste places when are
uncultivated.
Is there any country on earth so well
situated for every purpose which can add
TO the health and wealth OF IT'S popula-
lion as the United States are? What pro-
ducts of the field the garden. the forest
or the mine does II depend on other CHIMES
TO supply?
It's agricultural wealth is ineXhaustaole.
II can grow fruit enough to supply the
wants of monarchies of Europe. Its dalr-
les could furnish the butter and cheese
used in Great Britain and leave album
dance over for home use. 1t could pro-
vide all the beef mutton and hog pro-
ducts needed TO give ample supplies TO
all the poorly fed people Of the Old
World.
Its mineral and manufacturing resources
are untold ana unlimited. Its government
has all the features required 10 secure
the freedom and well-being Of its people
that any government by fallible beings
can expect. Although 1t is not exempt
from the evils OF which the Scotch Bard
complains when he says.
MANS inhumanty to man makes count
less thousands mourn
vet where do we see a country I'm which
the sober. honest man of whatever Occu-
patton. can secure more material comfort
than the American working man can for
himself and family?
The poorest laborer around this has
70 IN his power 10 secure a home for
his wife and family and 20 provide food
and even Injuries which not one farm La
bOrer out OF every thousand I'm Britain
can get. I speak that I know, for 1 have
been through.
Whatever spectators or Adventures
may wish or do, or that most undesirable
class. the iing0es. may say. I would beg
the masses who have to live and keep
those dependent on them by their own La
Dor 20 consider well the heritage which
they have now. 20 settle 10 I'm their minds
the bush, that this country is happily
free from the entanglements Of foreign
politics and has within itself every ele-
ment conducive to the comfort and hap
piness Of its people
Bear in mind that as a rule every
evil which befalls any nation tells first
on its working classes. Complications
breed bad feeling. that grows into quar-
rels then war. and the workingmen. as
a rule, provide The men whose lives are
thrown away In wasteful and usually
wicked war Reflect and act on the adj
! vice Of the Father OF His Country and
attend 10 your business leaving other
countries to do what they will with their
own. The mothers and children I'm the
seventy millions here want peace and
home comforts.
Do not lift straw even OF breathe
a word 20 destroy the inestimable bless
ing OF peace and quetness which every
citizen Of this land may enjoy under his
own vine and hg tree A land compare
bic only 20 that chosen by God as the
home OF the royal family of the race
when IL gave them Canaan for a pos
session. Think we'll OF your heritage.
and avoid doing anything 10 mar It for
! yourselves or your postcrity.
ONE or THE PEOPLE.
Avon. Va. Nav 25 1898