The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-12-21
HE OPPOSES IT.
Colonel w. J. Bryan's Platform
Against imperialism.
A MOST LOGICAL PAPER.

Government Should Treat the
Philippines the Same as
CUBA.
Upon leaving his command at Savan-
nah last week Col. ". j. Bryan, Of the
Third Nebraska Regiment, gave the fol-
lowing interview:
''My reason for leaving the army was
set forth in my letter to the adjuntant
general rendering my resignation. Now
that the treaty Of peace has been con-
cluded. I believe that I can be more
useful to my country as as civilian than
soldier
Col. Bryan then proceeded tothe dis
cussion Of public questions, saying:
'The people Of the United States.
having rescued Cuba from foreign con-
troll, many now resume the discussion OF
the domestic problems which confront
this nation and turn to the eonsidera-
tion Of the new questions arising out OF
the war. ;.sSs !;
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 usedits instrumen-
talities for private gain, but now the
very foundation principles of our Gov
ernment are assaulted.
'sThe imperialistic idea is directly
antagonistic to the idea and ideals
which have been cherished by the
American people since the signing Of
the Declaration of Independence. Our
nation must give up any intention OF
entering upon colonial policy, (sueh
as is now pursued by European coun-
tries or it must abandon the doctrine
that governments derive their just pow
ers from the consent Of the governed.
';We 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
so borrow Bible quotation, a
house divided against itself cannot
staad;' paraphrasing Lincoln's declara-
tion, I may add that this nation cannot
endure half Republic and half colony,
half free and half Yassal Our form of
government, our traditions, our present
interests and our future welfare all for
bid our entering upon a career of con-
quest.
Jefferson has been quoted in sup
port Of imperialism, but our opponents
must distinguish between imperialism
and expansion: they must also distin-
guish between expansion that involves
US in the quarrels Of Europe and the
Orient. Rrhey must still further dis
tinguish between expansion which
secures contiguous territory for future
settlement and expansion which secures
us allen races for future subjugation.
Jefferson favored the annexation Of
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 the ratification of the
treaty, but would prefer another plan.
If the treaty is rejected negotiations
must be renewed, and instead Of settling
the question according to our own ideas
we must settle it by diplomacy, with
the possibility Of international com-
plications. It will be easier, | think,
to end the war at once by ratifying the
treaty and then deal with the subject
in our own way. The issue can be pre-
sented directly by resolution Of Com
gress declaring the policy Of the nation
upon this subject. The President says
in his message that> our only purpose
in taking possession OF Cuba is to estab-
lish stable government and then turn
that government over to the people Of
Cuba. Congress could reafhrm this
purpose in regard to Cuba and assert
the same purpose in regard to the
Philippine Islands and Porto Rico.
Such a resolution would make clear
cut issue between the doctrine Of self
government and the doctrine of imperi-
alism. We should reserve a barbor
and coaling station in Porto Rico and
the Philippines to return for services
rendered, and l think We would be justi-
fed in asking the same concession from
Cuba.
''In the cate of Porto Rico, where
the people have as yet expressed no de-
sire for an Independent government,
we might with propriety declare our
willingness to annex the island if the
citizens desire annexation; but the
Philippine Islands are too far away and
their people too different from ours to
be annexed to the United St. tes, even
if they desired it
Col. BryaG left Savannah Tuesday
for Washington, D. c.. and will arrive
there Wednesday afternoon. He in
tends to enter actively into the fight
against the colonial policy. In fact it
is evident that this was the main cause
that led to his resignation.
a Fatal Accident.