The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-04
wRAT CAUSES TRE rRouBLE2

Reports from Washington, New York
and other political centres frankly say
that republican leaders have entirely
lost the assurance Of success they once
entertained regarding the coming con-
gressional elections, and that they very
seriously fear the loss Of the next
house Of representatives This pre-
sents SOLDERING contrast to the rose
colored views that were so confidently
expressed by party managers, only a
few short weeks ago.
Various attempts have been made to
account for the supposed change of
sentiment in the country. 1t has been
said that the democratic disposition to
ignore the silver doctrine and in fact
the whole Chicago platform in the old
pivotal states has had a conciliatory
effect upon the so-called Independents
and the gold democrats. The attacks
upon Secretary Alger have been as
signed as potent cause Of trouble. 1t
is observed, too, that the mid-year of
any presidential administration is his
action against the party in power, and
the democrats are taking advantage of
the circumstance to exert themselves
with uncommon vigor. 1t is noted,
also, that a sweeping party success is
apt to be followed by a season Of re-
publican apathy, especially in the alb
sence of a supreme issue to stimulate
the voters. 1t is further said that in
dependents and gold democrats have
been disappointed and offended by the
tariff legislation Of the republicans,
whose candidates they lately support
ed. These explanations are all we'll
enough as far as they go. but do they
reach the root Of the matter? Is there
not another reason not yet enumerat-
ed? What effect is the territorial ex-
pansion propaganda having upon the
voters? 1t is an innovation in our
national policy; it is at variance with
national traditions. Why is so little
said Of this? If it be popular innova-
ton, as the propagandists have said,
why should it not counteract the other
which they say af11ict the
party7
But is territorial expansion a popular
policy? Certain western congressman
have visited the east and then gone to
Washington and reported that New
England is enthusiastic for the annex
alton Of the Philippines and all other
foreign territory in sight Most Of us
in Massachusetts know that this asser-
ton is not true. OF all the Bay State
delegation in congress, only two have
imperial1st leanings. Even Senator
Lodge has seen enough Of the prevail
ing sentiment to think silence on this
topic is wise, and Congressman Knox
has been put at the head of the plat
form committee of the state conven-
ton, not because of his imperialist
principles, but in order to give him
prestige in his race for congress in the
Lawrence district, where the result is
somewhat in doubt.
In the other New England states it
cannot be said that majority Of any
of the congressional delegations ia
vors territorial extension, even though
Senators Chandler. Gallinger and Fry
are avowed imperialists. Some, like
Senator Hawley of Connecticut, are
rather feeble in their utterances on
this subject, but they show at least
that they do not heartily approve the
principle. The preponderance Of senti-
ment certainly is not imperialist, as
some of the western visitors would
make outsiders believe.
Now If there has been misrepresent-
alton of this sort In regard to New
England, what assurance Is there to
believe that the allegations of impe-
rialist enthusiasm in other parts of the
country are genuine and honest? The
extreme Pacific states and the states
Of the extreme east are the only ones
that can figure out commercial and
industrial profits from annexation,
doubtful as these may be. For the
south, there is only promise of new
competition in the very industries that
it depends on for prosperity. Sugar,
tobacco rice, cotton and fruit are or
can be produced in the new territory
more cheaply than in tho southern
states, and it is uncomfortable that, af-
ter annexation, these commodities
should not be brought to the United
States free of tariff duties. What eff
feet will this have upon agriculture in
the south? How viii the southern peo-
pie view the project of annexation,
when these matters are truthfully
presented to them? How about the
sugar-beet growers of the west?