The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-23
The Issue Snunrcly Slated

me following trencfAt paragraphs are
taken from a powerful editorial In the
Greenville Is. c. Mountaineer. Tho pa
per IL edited By that sturdy Democrat
and battered, but by no means shattered.
Confederate veteran. Colonel James \.
Hoyt Tho editorial is entitled, "fIave
We an Empire OF Repubic2'
The current session OF Congress will
develop very sharply the issues upon
which the campaign two years hence will
be made. Tho administration will rally
its strength around the new expansion
policy, and IL IS just as certain that the
Democratic leaders will adhere 10 the an
cient tenets Of the party so accurately de-
scribed by Mr.. Bryan when, laying aside
his sword, he declared that the i'm
perialistic idea is directly antagonistic
10 the idea and ideals which have been
cherished by the American people since
the signing OF the Declaration Of hide
pendence."
Heretofore" said Mr.. Bryan, greed
has perverted the government and used
it's instrumental interfereRccs for pri-
vate gain: but now the very foundation
principles OF our government are assault
cd" lie very pithily adds that the i'm
perialists must distinguish between ex-
pansiOn which secures Contiguous terri
tory for future settlement AMI expansion
which secures use alien races for future
subjugation. Paraphrasing famous
expression Of Mr.. Seward In regard 70
slavery In this country be declares that
this nation cannot endure half republic
and half colony-haif free and half vas
sal"
The issues are being squarely made, and
though the Republicans under the lead
Of Mr.. Mckinley may endeayor 10 shirk
and avoid the real contention. appealing
as he did at Savannah the other day 10
the spirit Of justice and humanity. when
he asks II we "are 20 sit idly down IN
our isolation and recognize no obligation
10 y struggling people whose present
conditions we have contributed 10 make
Mr.. Mckinley would seem TO forget the
fact that there are other peoples than
the recent colonies Of Spain who have
equal claims upon our strength ana
mower as a nation, and that 81 was
mere incident Of the struggle with spain
that our war vessels and troops went 20
the Philippine Islands The Insurgents
in that region would have never heard
the sound OF our guns had they not been
IN revolt against the Spanish govern
ment II was no part OF our intention
TO fight the battles Of the Fihpinos. Tor
Dewey and Merritt were sent there 10
destroy the sovereignty Of Spain, not I'D
establish a protectorate over the inhaol-
fants Of the islands nor 10 provide z form
~ government akin to ours in any re-
spect SPANISH rule and dominion were lo
he DESTROYED because we were az war
with that nation. and whatever CON
,ributed to IT'S defeat AMI discontinue
was legitimate and proper.
Mr.. McKinley and his advisers are re-
soonsible for the purchase Of the fhi"p-
mines. and 50 far they arc the only per-
sons who have gone into the market to
buv colonial dependencies. II Is contrary
n American tradition ami policy ana
tho President frankly admits the conul-
tions are new and untried. but he is
fntrv committed 20 the imperial poiicy.
mon which his administration VIII stana
or fan I'm the future. Democrats cannot
endorse his course or link their adh'r-
ence 20 his policy. and the issues must
mo tried before the people Of the unitea
states His own party very naturally
falls into line With the administration
bocause its tendency from the beglnnios
has been 10 centralze power az WASH
ington The conflict between parties
now is only a renewal Of the struggle
Cor the mastery when Jefferson ana
hamilton were the leaders on either sue