The Atlanta constitution., 1898-08-08


cursor of his own; and now that both
of these illustrious contemporaries have
closed their earthly careers, it is not
surprising that Pope Leo XIlI should
feel that his time is at hand and that
ere the present year ends he will have
finished his course. If such proves to
be true, it will invest the present year
with one of the most extraordinary con-
junctures in the worlds history; but in
spite of appearances, it is earnestly to
be hoped that many additional years
may yet be meted out to the surviving
member of the great trio.
The action of the state democratic
convention of Texas, reported in to-
days Constitution, was in some respects
very significant. The report of the
platform committee, after indorsing the
Chicago platform, and congratulating
the country on the prowess of American
sailors and soldiers, declared that the
war must not obscure the money queS-
tion; that the Nicaragua canal should
be constructed and controlled by the
United States government; that the let
ter and spirit of the Cuban Intervention
resolutions should be carried out; that
the Cubans should be permitted to es-
tablish an independent government of
their own; but that the island should be
annexed if the terms can be arranged
between the two governments and that
Porto Rico and all other Spanish pos
~l,,,,
should be acquired and made a part of
the territory of the United States.
In reference to the Philippines, the
Texas democrats opposed annexation
or continued retention of the Philippine
islands or any other territory upon the
eastern hemisphere"
Whatever doubt may exist in the
minds Of the people of this country as
to the annexation of the Philippine
group, we believe that the sentiment of
the people is overwhelmingly in favor
of the ACQUISITION of every Spanish
island in the West Indies, and of the
annexation of Cuba just as soon as It is
possible for us to get 1t and, at the
same time, keep the national faith IN
the pledge to srst establish an indepen-
dent republic 1t looks as if the Philip
pine question Will settle itself in SPANS
acceptance of the demand for nothing
more than treaty port or coaling
station in those islands. With the
Spanish possessions in the West Indies
as part of our own territory, We can
afford to dismiss the Philippine ques-
ton. and the country may felicitaJe it
self uDon the fact that what gave prom
ise of being the most serious question
as the result of the war has practically
settled itself.
Not so, however, with Cuba, Porto
Rico and the other Spanish islands i'll
the West Indies Porto Rico and the
smaller islands are practically OU45 now,
and Cuba viii be i'll due time. and by
it's own consent. The declaration of
tho democrats of Texas, adopted by
vote OF 697 to 1874, expresses the sentl-
ments of the democratic masses through
out the country, who look with lit
tie patience upon the argument that the
democratic party is traditionally opposed
to the policy of territorial expansion
when, in truth, every mile of newly ac-
quired territory beyond the confines Of
the original thirteen states, except Alas
ka was given to the Stars and Stripes
under democratic auspices.
This action of the most powerful and
progressive democratic body to be found
,,c ~, ion th
have tremendous effect in shaping
party action on the new questions that
have arisen out Of the results of the war.
These questions must be decided on the
line and in the light of democratic pol
icy democratic traditions, and demo-
cratic principles; and this policy, these
traditions and these principles must be
Interpreted and applied to the neW
questions in no narrow, cOngested or
provincial way This is what the Tex
as convention has done, and We have no
hesitation in saying that democrats all
over the country will hail the fact that
the Colonial" question has not been
lightly or coldly disposed of.
The name of Jefferson figured in the
convention. It is great name, and
democrats cannot revere it too highly or
appeal to it too often. We know that
jefferson was in favor of territorial
expansion. We know also that he
looked forward to the acquisition Of
Cuba. More than that, We know that
his democratic vision carried his hopes
over deserts and plains and far over
sea, embracing all possibilities of the
future of democracy. 1t is true that the
basic idea of this republic is local self
government; and that all governments
should derive their just powers from the
consent Of the governed.
But do these basic doctrines OF de-
mocracy make it either necessary or de-
sirabe that we should turn our backs on
an opportunity to give the ignorant ana
the oppressed. the alien and the stranger
at our doors, the benefits at least OF good
government. and so prepare him and set
him on his feet that he may come to
appreciate and realize the inestimaDle
blessings of self-government?
In the light OF these reflections let
a