The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1898-12-30
b4>A Aa ON EXPANSION.
The Colonial Idea Ia ImperiaIistic
and Contrary to Ame-.i-
can Principles.

Upon forwarding his resignation as
colonel in the United States army few
days ego, William j. Bryan gave ex-
preston TO his views On the subject of
expansion as follows:
THE people of the United States,
having rescued Cuba from foreign con-
troll, may now resume the discussion
of the domestic problems which con-
front this nation and 10 the considera-
ton of the new questions arising out of
| he war.
II may be in error, but in my judg-
ment our nation is in greater danger
just now than Cuba. Our people de-
Tended Cuba against foreign arms /;
now they must defend themselves and
their country against foreign idea
the colonial idea of European nations.
Heretofore greed has perverted the
| government and used it's instrumental
lnterferences for private gain, but now
the very foundation principles Of our
| government are assailed.
"The imperiaiistic idea IL directly
antagonistic to the idea and ideals
|
American people since the signing of
the declaration of independence. Our
nation must give up any intention OF
entering upon colonial policy (such
as is now pursued by European coun-
tries(, or it must abandon the doctrine
that governments derive their just
| powers from the consent of the gov
erned.
I'VE may believe that governments
come up from the people or we may be-
lieve that governments come down to
the people from those who possess the
heaviest cannons and the largest ships,
but we cannot advocate both doctrines
ITO borrow Bible quotations: a
house divided against itself cannot
stand Paraphrasing Lincoln's declar-
alton, may add that this nation can
not endure half republic and half
colony-half free and half vassal. Our
form of government, our traditions
our present interests and our future
welfare, all forbid our entering upon a
career of conquest.
Jefferson has been quoted in sup
port of Imperialism, but our opponents
must distinguish between imperialism
and expansion; they must also dis
tinguish between expansion in the
western hemisphere and an expansion
that involves us in the quarrels of Eu
rope and the orient. They must still
further distinguish between expansion
which secures contiguous territory for
| future settlement and expansion
which secures us alien races for future
subjugation.
Jefferson favored the annexation oi
necessary contiguous territory on the
North American continent, but he was
opposed to wars of conquest, and ex
pressly condemned the acquiring of re-
mote territory"
| When asked how the colonial policy
could be prevented, Col. Bryan said:
"Some think that the fight should be
made against ratification of the treaty
but | would prefer another plan. Il
the treaty is rejected negotiations
must be renewed, and instead of set
Ting the question according to ouI
Ideas we must settle it by diplomacy
with the possibility of internationa
complications. 1t will be easier,
think, TO end the war at once by ratify
ing the treaty and then deal with til,
subject in our own way. The issue ear
be presented directly by a resolution O
congress declaring the policy of the
nation upon this subject.
THE president in his message say.
that our cnly purpose in taking pos
session of Cuba is to establish stable
government and then turn that gov
ernment over to the people of Cuba
Congress could reaffirm this purpose il
regard to Cuba and assert the sam,
purpose in regard TO the Philippine is
lands and Porto Rico. Such q res )lu
ton would make clear-cut issue be
tween the doctrine of self-goyernmen-
and the doctrine CT imperialism. W,
should reserve a harbor and coaline
station in Porto Rico and in the Philip
| pines in return for services rendered
and | think we would be justified II
asking the same concession from Cuba
in the case of Porto Rico, where III,
people have as yet expressed no desir,
for an independent government, W,
might with propriety declare our will
ingness to annex the island If the c'ti
zens desire annexation; but the Philip
pine islands are too far away and theil
people too different from ours to be an
nexed TO the United States. even il
they desired It,"
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.