The times., 1898-12-30
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 80, 1898.
Expansion ana Free Trade.

Expansion ana Free Trade.
>At last the light which The Times has
turned on Democratic leaders has pene-
trated the intelligence of the editor of the
Louisville Courier Journal. That an in
evitable result of national territorial ex-
pansion-the acquisition of some of the
colonies so long misruled by Spain-is free
trade, The Times has asserted in every
possible form of words. in the hope of re-
straining the impulsiye leaders who would
commit the Democracy to an un-DemO-
cratic and un-American policy of narrow
provincialism. The best traditions of the
Jeffersonian Democracy have been in favor
OF the enlargement of the national domain.
Under that policy the party had the sup
port of a majority of the people until seces-
sion interposed. There has never been any
reason for an abandonment of the views
of Jefferson as exhibited in the purchase
of vast tracts Of territory, but, on the con-
trary, as the nation has increased in
strength of numbers and in prosperity and
as the means of transportation have de-
yeloped, everything has suggested the firm
adherence to the doctrine of expansion, the
great popularity of which has never been
in doubt. So obvious is the Importance of
every practicable extension of our possess
sions that the Republican party has aban-
doned its former attitude of opposition and
has come over to the Democracy. How
absurd, then, for Democratic leaders to
turn their backs on the Democratic ideas
which time has justified, and at the mo-
s11a of ~
have reached the highest degree of en-
thusiasm in upholding them, to urge the
Democratic party to surrender TO its con-
verted rivals the chief glory and the prac-
tical benefit of being the party of expan-
sion.
But this is not all, or most. The Times
has again and again shown that even if
the extension of the national domain were
less desirable than it is, still it would pay
well to submit to it for the sake of real
izing what for years has been the dream,
the hope, the chief issue of the Democracy,
free trade or the destruction of the Chi
nese wall which the manufacturers of this
country have been able to induce the Gov
ernment TO erect for their benefit at an
enormous cost TO the American people. In
advocating tariff for revenue only, all
intelligent Democrats were moved by
profound respect for a fundamental prin-
ciple of republican government that no
class should be specially favored at the
expense of the whole people and also by a
confident belief in the practical good to be
derived by the nation from fewer artificial
trade restrictions. Twice on this issue they
elected President and more than twice
they have had a large majority of the pop
ular vote. There was no reason TO doubt
that the American people were in favor
of the overthrow of the protection system,
when that issue alone determined their
votes. But for one reason and another, and
always for the reason that Republican
campaign funds were largely the contribu-
tion Of the wealthy manufacturers, protec-
tion has been maintained. 1t has had
every assurance of perpetuity as long as
the manufacturers should desire it, re-
gardless of popular sentiment.
Until the close of The Spanish war, with
its remarkable effects on the worlds polit-
ical geography, there was no cause to
hope the fattening beneficiaries of tariff
legislation would relent or change their
that they would forever continue TO ask
and obtain what would be for their advan-
tage. Consequently the removal of artifi-
cial trade limitations was not in prospect.
Suddenly We achieve a victory over Spain
which places on our shoulders the respon-
sibility for the welfare of some millions of
ignorant people inexperienced in matters
OF government, occupying the most val
liable islands in the world-islands with
unparalleled resources for the profitable
development of which will be required
many hundred times the imports they have
ever known and the effect of which will
be the production and export of articles
of enormous value, but of a kind which
do not compete with the products of the
States. By the acquisition of these, The
Times has shown, our industries will be
stimulated and our commerce increased,
provided We break down the Chinese wall
of protection. Yet there are Democratic
leaders who would forego this, would allow
protection TO endure. Why? In order TO
prevent further realization of the am
billions of the Democratic party.
Mr.. Watterson. seeing the economical ef-
Times, develops greater enthusiasm for
Jeffersonian Democracy. He foresees what
We have predicted, that no matter what
tariff scheme the Administration may at
tempt to establish and uphold, the Ameri-
can manufacturers to whom the Repub-
lican Legislators have been submissive for
more than a generation, will themselves
cry out for freedom of trade. At last the
interests of the people and of the manu-
facturers really depend on the same policy.
Mr.. Watterson sees what We have tried to
make Mr.. Bryan and other anti-imperial-
lists, as they call themselves, see, that the
American manufacturer is bound to be-
come a free trader. What he says goes, in
spite of all the efforts of tariff thinkers
who have become slaves to the delusive ar
guments for protection. We may hope the
light will extend 10 other Democrats and
that soon we shall hear no more talk Of
Democratic opposition to expansion and