The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-10-07
The Expansion Problem.


sion of United States territory, while at
the same time they admit it is more a
stroke of destiny than wish or design of
the people of this country, that our terri
torial limits continue to broaden without
any voluntary effort on our part. Terri
torial greatness is i'll manner thrust
upon us. This wonderful territorial ex-
pansion of ours is unlike that of other
nations. The people of those new trop-
ical countries are eager to come under
our flag. There is no compulsion used.
They have heard of the free institutions
of the United States and want to share in
their blessings. They all detest Spanish
tyranny and misgovernment but want
this government, not to rule over, but
protect them from their oppressors and
permit them to enjoy the blessings Of free
government. They appear to be willing
to learn, willing to be taught, entertain
ing considerable doubt of their. ability for
selfgovernment at present.
This condition of affairs in the worlds
history of the present day places this
nation and people under moral obliga-
ton which they cannot shirk with safety
or honor. The fear manifested by "con-
sentative" souls is two-fold. They say
we have no business meddling in the
affairs of other peoples, especially of a
lower aud weaker race, a rude and but
partially civilized people. That we will
have peck of trouble and untold expense
keeping them in order.
The way we look at the problem the
very reverse seems to be the truth. If
they are not protected from themselves,
disorder among them is certain to exist
for long periods of years, by the uncurbed
ambition of petty chiefs, who would be
powerless to make trouble if the people
were protected by the strong arm of the
U. S. government. Such turbulent spirits
would not attempt insurrection and "rev-
olutions," knowing how futile it would
be, unless driven to it by oppression and
injustice by the government they look ed
to for protection and justice. The Sepoys
of India rose against British rule because
of oppression and monopoly injustice.
The natives were robbed and abused by a
privileged class who were granted fran
chises which allowed the iron hand of
greed to seize. and despoil the people Of
their hard earnings.
The second objection by the timid souls
who fear expansion, while at the same
time admitting it is apparently inevitable,
is, that tnonopolies will seize upon the
newly acquired tropical countries and
exploit the people, rob and Cypress them
while developing the country by the in
ventions and improved methods of mod
ern civilization, that our own people are
grooming under this concentrated power
of capital, unable to protect themselves
and :throw off the yoke, with all their
boosted learning and the opportunities
given them by popular government; that
if we are helpless to protect ourselves from
these despoilers how much more so will
be those people of the tropical islands, in
the weak and deplorable condition which
the tyranny of Spain has left them.
But are we content to remain in our
present half enslaved condition to the
cliques and exploiting combinations of
incorporated greed The people are
rising up everywhere against the present
condition of semi-servitude they have
been placed in to the money power and
privileged class, which have gained their
ascendency by treachery and bribery.
The fight wakes hotter and stronger
against this mushroom aristocracy of
wealth and greed, and it is but question
of few years till the intelligence. of the
people will overthrow this new despotisnl,
the continuance of the Lombard Jew
The freedom from monopoly greed of our
own people will be extended over all
other peoples that are sheltered under the
stars on the flag which the oppressed of
all the earth are turning to as the light
of their dawning liberties.
The American people will not tolerate
Spanish filth and Spanish tyranny to
harass and murder the people of the Phil
ippines that are looking to us for protec-
ton from their old tyrant masters, whom
they declare they will fight to extermi-
nation before they will again be placed
under sthe Spanish military yoke. We
cannot draw back if we would and shirk
a moral and political obligation by at
tempting again to place the Philippines
under their old cruel masters. Such
step, such cowardly step, would invite
complications and renewal of hostilities
which endeavoring to avoid by policy
of exclusiveness, would, in all probability,
precipitate us into.
The war with Spain was in the cause of
humanity more than any other reason,
and wherever that cause leads us-tho
far beyond our expectation-we will be
compelled to follow, either willingly or
unwillingly. The angel of humanity was
not willing our flag should rest i'll the
West Indias but Immediately transferred
it TO the East Indias, that the people of
the old regions of the world might see
with their own eyes the emblem that
proclaimed a new doctrine to them, that
all men are created equal and have an
unalienable, or divine right to liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. This nation is
in the hands of its destiny and must go