The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-19
THE POLICY OF EXPANSION.

The Kansas City Star thinks that
Mr.. Bryan, by declaring himself OPP
posed to the policy of national ex-
Pansion. has committed a very grave
political blunder. 1t says that under
no circumstances is it a judicious thing
for leader of a political party to
announce platform or policy two
years in advance of a national cam
paign, and especially is it unwise in the
chieftain of an organization that is
out of power. 1t also declares that his
attitude on the new Imperialism
relegates the silver issue to the rear.
To the Star it appears inconceivable
that man who has been in
public life so long as Mr.. Bryan and
who is so perpetually in contact with
the people. should fail so entirely as
he has done to apprehend the drift of
popular sentiment in regard to ma
tional expansion. 1t declares that
while the government has uttered no
word as to its attitude regarding the
future disposition of the Philippines or
Porto Rico, it is perfectly manifest to
any studious observer that the great
mass of the people desire the acquisi-
ton of these islands by the United
States, and the belief is general that
one of the results of the war will be
to make them American possessions.
and that in closing his eyes to this
condition of public feeling, Mr.. Bryan
has displayed lack of sagacity which
entities him to be rated as q. true
Democrat
The Star then proceeds: ri
Mr.. Bryan takes the position that the
war is in the interest of humanity and
not for the extension of United States
territory. He can scarcely fail to know
that when hostilities were declared be- /
tween the United States and Spain
there was not a thought of territorial
ACKNOWLEDGMENT on the part of the gov
eminent at Washington. 1t all came
upon the country without a moments
warning. But even the spirit Of Ameri- /.
canism which was developed by
Dewey's victory at Manila has not ma
changed the moral aspects of /
the w5r.
As illustrating how wide may be a |
difference of opinion between honest |
and intelligent persons, it may be said !
that the millions of Americans who /
still continue to stand by the govern +
ment in the prosecution of the war do |
not admit that any change has taken 1
place in the motive or purpose of the
war. 1t is still waged in the interests 4
Of humanity. The scope and area of /
the conflict has widened. Originally 1
the future of Cuba alone was affected. (
Since the beginning of hostilities Porto /
Rico and the Philippines have become
involved. Humanity demanded that /
s-l, NIB
should cease. and the United States |
made its cessation an ultimatum. Cir
have since placed upon this
the duty and responsibility of
ending the RUE of Spain in Porto Rico
and the Philippines, and the further
duty OF giving the oppressed people of
those countries the best government
Dossible-that of the United States-in
such form as may seem best. This may
constitute aggression, but il is certain
Y the highest humanity. If a war for
he liberation of Cuba was one for
q war which includes in its
object the liberation of Porto Rico and
he Philippines is also a war for hu
nanity. Annexation of territory to the
United States is not to be counted as
: purpose of the war, but it may be
proper and fortunate conse-
Ine2ce.
When MIR. Bryan made his now Fam
Jus speech he declared for the truest.
he tried principles of Americanism,
md if he committed a political blunder
le did it by declaring for the truth
md sounding a warning note when it
s most needed. and when there are
90 few to sound it. If he committed
political blunder by coming out
oddly against what he believes to be
wrong and fraught with evil for this
ountry, it is the strongest evidence
possible that Mr.. Bryan is not the
cheming demagogue that his enemies
ave declared him to be. If it is the
popular thing to do to declare for
the policy of expansion" then Mr.
Bryan would have taken advantage
4 it to further his political fortunes
we're he the demagogue he is charged
18th being.
The. war was undertaken for the pur-