The Elbert County tribune., 1898-12-29
AGAINST EXPANSION.
oov. THOMAS ON rMpeRrALIsM
he La DIspossd to Take Conservative
Causs-Bryan roreibiy Presents His
vlews .t Reception - Linesin-

- n - I.art =
Denver. Dec. 24.-Goyernor-eiect q.
s. Thomas was interviewed yesterday
by representative OF the ROCKY
Mountain News. He said:
.sThe national political situation Is
gradually taking form, and although
we now see through glass darkiy. IL
is evident that the opposing forces are
lining themselves up for the great CON
filct OF 1900. Bryan Is about right. Inc
dnty of this government Is TO teach tine
people Of islands which have come into
possession OF the United States TO take
care of themselves When bryan
idea is better understood on the sub
ject he viii be better appreciated. lie
recognizes that the Islands are now ac-
tualiy ours. and the question is what
to do with them. Men who grow ex-
cited over the thought Of Imperialism
should consider that the first step has
been taken. The great problem Is how
we can let CO."
"Will the Democratic party oppose
permanent possession OF the islandsF'
was asked.
1T seems that such will be the posi-
tion OF the party" replied Mr.. Thomns.
while individuals may advocate the
rankest Imperialism, II lis evident that
the great body of the Democratic par
ty will finally adopt the more conserv-
ative policy. The Republican party Is
rushing headlong into territorial ex-
pansion. Many OF Its leaders are out
spoken In favor of taking all we can
get and holding on to every foot OF the
territory. President Mckinley will go
with the stream. While he is a man Of
considerable ability, he Is not n lender.
He acts under the advice OF others, and
his recent trip through the south was
for purpose. 1t was to quiet nny
strong opposition that might appear in
the south against the policy which
will become the policy of the admins
tration. fear that his conciliatory
utternnces will effect the end desired.
! fear that the people of the south who
cannot be members of McKinley's par
ty will be passive and will not make
the protest that they should make
against the headlong movement into
Imperialism. McKinley's intimation in
favor of the general government TAX
ing care of the graves Of ex-Confed-
crates was from his standpoint n wise
suggestion. IL may 20 a long way to-
ward disarming opposition"
why do you fear the imperialistic
policyf"
1T is contrary to the spirit of Amerl-
can institutions, and once entered up
on means the destruction of the re-
public. Think OF the standing army
that would be required. The govern
ment is advocating standing army of
100000 men. That means, as l estimate
1t, n cost of S5O.000.0OO a year. The
standing army, IL enlarged to such an
extent. may justly be regarded by the
laboring people of the country as n
possible weapon against the large class
which depends upon daily wage for
bread. The policy of enlarglng the
army viii certainly be bitterly opposed
by the labor unions. and II is well that
they may take alarm. 1t Is good to
adhere to the traditions of the past in
this country II we are TO enter upon
the era of territorial expansion. Ac-
QUESTION OF territory breeds the dis
ease for more. and the wisest head
could not prophesy the result. II Is
like the slave owner of ante-beilum
days, who bought more land to work
more slaves and bought more slaves to
work more land"
Lincoln, Neb.. Dec. 24.-'Jolonel w.
]. Bryan returned to Lincoln yester-
day afternoon and was last night ten
iiered reception at the Olive theater
by the Waman's Bimetallic League.
The house wins crowded and Colonel
Bryan received an ovation. He was in
by Governor Holcomb. who
formally welcomed him home and COM
plimented him for his patriotism in en-
listing In the army.
tho 1, =.
cordial welcome and complimenting
the members of his regiment, he justi.
fied his resignation as follows:
II had five months of peace in the
army and resigned in order to take n
part In = fight. 1 am as much inter
ested In the people OF the United States
ms l am in the people of Cuba. and
unless ! am mistaken in judging. we
are called upon to meet more impor-
tant problems in the United States lust
now than will confront our army in
Cuba.
Some of these problems were under
discussion before hostilities began:
others have been thrust upon us ms n
result OF the war. Let me improve this.
my first opportunity, to assure you that
my zeal for the reforms advocated n
few months ago has not in the least
abated. Vital questions cannot be
killed or buried. and we were dealing
with vital questions when the cali to
arms resounded through the land.
There are two new questions which
demand immediate attention. because
Congress is asked TO act upon them M
once. The President recommends that
the regular army be permanently in
creased to 100000 men. This question
must be met now or not at ALL"
Taking up the subject of Imperialism.
Mr.. Bryan said that the President has
misinterpreted the sentiment of The
people. They are opposed to giving the
Philippine islands back to Spain. but
they have not as yet declared In favor
OF embarking upon n colonial policy. SO
great change, he said, could not be
undertaken without more investigation
ana deiiberation than the people had
yet given to the subject. The principal
part OF MIR. Brynn's speech was devot-
ed to the Philippine question. In This
connection he referred to President Nc.
Kinley's inquiry. "who will haul down
the fiagT' and replied:
"The flag is national emblem and
is obedient to the national will. II is
made for the people. not the peopIe
for the nag. When the American peo-
pie want the flag raised they raise II:
when they want 1t hauled down they
haul 1t down. The flag was raised mn
on Canadian soil during the war Of
1872. and 1t was hauled down when
peace was restored. The flag wos
planted upon Chepultepec during the
war with Mexico. and 1t was hauled
down when the war was over, The
morning papers announce that General
Lee ordered the flag hauled down in
Cuba yesterday, because 1t was raised
too soon. The flag will be raised in
Cuba on the 1st of Innnarr hui A.