The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-04
The Progress of the Republic.

To Il EDITOR OF The SUN-Sir: II ia not
surprising that the present problem Of national
expansion awakens opposition similar to that
which has appeared whenever and wherever
new events have created new conditions az
fecting the worlds proRresa Much OF this OBJ
structive sentiment may como from honest
conviction or from simple ignorance. but there
10 q variety OF It which repels both sympathy
and respect. Itcomes from the so-called re-
spectacle element" which arrogates TO itself a
title to preeminent consideration on the
ground OF Its extreme conservatism. The peo.
pie who make this assumption present q fine
appearance In the omm unity. They are the
well 70 do. and they feel so comfortable In tho
enjoyment Of past acquisitions that they resent
any disturbance Of their luxurious seIt-indul-
genee. They denounce n as wrongful. un.
healthy. unpatriotio. But what has brought to
them prosperity 10 O necessity for all time.
What has secured the favors OF fortune to
them Is the opportunity Of progress. which
is tho everlasting basin Of gain for society.
They appear TO consider II o misfortune that
the world will persist In turning round In
stead Of keeping always at the place which
suits their narrow views and habits. Any en-.
largement Of active energy or even OF o sense
OF obligation friRhtens them.
booker r' name. who S,e 'points Wiz Tlsh pride e dknt 70 9 Fl,
Dutch origin In order. to claim q share 10 the
past ana present. Rlor1ee OF Holland through
his ancestry and its deeds 300 years ago, has
been railing against our colonial acquisitions
In strange forgetfulnees OF that proud history.
He forRets that the little republic, In taking the
Sunda Islands. In Its war with Spain. laid the
basis Of Its wealth and maintained the free in
stitutions which during all those centuries
have been the envy Of Continental Europe.
How much richer. how much freer. how much
more enlightened and humane was and Is Hol-
land In its colonies and at home than Eng
land, which. according to his assertion, Is bet
ter fitted through It's aristocratLc Government
for ruling colonies. Was II not England which
through It's mlsrule lost lie best colony. now
the United States OF America; which forced
the best men out OF its African Cape Colony 10
seek new homes In establishing the Transvaal
State; which holds india only BY making the
various tribes out each others threats because
OF Its propagation OF the Sepoy revolt?
Three hundred years ago there were even In
the Netherlands comforta bic conservatives who
eroaked and bowed to Spanish tyranny rather
than follow Maurice OF Nassau or Old Barnsyeldk
and when the SRaniard finally sought peace,
they were still willing to abandon their right OF
trading In the Eastern seas. which the patriots
insisted on and fought for. They wanted to
defer TO the Jealous i%nsinuations OF the British
court and 70 French intrigue, 90 as TO hasten
peace and It's quiet enjoyment for Themselves,
The worlds progress moved nevertheless and
Holl land profted In spite Of such az these, repre-
sented In this. our own country, at this time. by
the minister who prides himself on his Dutch
NEW York. Dec. 3.