The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-12-21
William ]. Bryan
on Expansion,
HE WILL FIGHT TIE
NEW POLICY or IMPE-
RIALIsM.

u Began, upon leaving ms oom aala
to-day, the Third Nebraska regiment.
gase Che following intsryiev I:
ssh reason Tor leaving the asmy
1as ses forth 10 my letter TO the sd.
jnsans general rendering my resigea.ion.
Nov shat sae treaty Of peace has been
esReluded, believe that can be moro
nseful 20 ny counsry % . eivslisn than
! soldier y
Gol. Bryan then proceeded 70 the
discussion cf public qnastions. saying,
The people of the United States hsv-
ine reacued Cabs from foreign control.
may ncW resume the discussion OF the
dsnsstic problems which ccnsrons this
nstioo, and 10 the consideration Of the
neR questions arising out Of she war.
s..I Inay be in error. bat 10 my jndg-.
meps our nation is in greater danger
;ass nsR thsn Cuba. Ouf people de-
fsnded Cuba against foreign arms now
they irnss defend themselves and their
eountry against a foreign ides-tbe colo
NAL IDEA of European sations. Hereto
fore greed has perverted she govern
nens and used It's :nstrunenisl
inssrssrences for private ga:0;; has now
sbe very fouSdssion principles OF our
government are assaulted.
The imperialissic idea Is directly an
t.cnosst;c 20 the idea and ideals which
aaye tsen cherished by che Amsrseio
psopla since sbe signiog Of the deelara,
ton 81 independence Our cation must
aiiye up any intention Of entering npon
8 solonial policy (sueh IS is now pursued
by European sounssies1 or It must aben.
don the doctrine that governments
derive their juss powers from the Coz
sect ofshe governed.
We nsy believe thes governments
coma NO from the people Or sea may be.
lieve thai governments come down to
The psopss from those sbo posses the
hesgie,st csnnons and the largest ships.
Sus % cannot advocate both doctrines.
..1o borrow Bible quosasioD. "A
honse divided against issslfcaaoos stsnd
Parsphrssing Lincola's declaration. !
may add that this nation canros endure
hslf repablis aud half oolony-bslf free
and half yssssl. Our form Of govern
ment, our traditions, our present in-
.seres,s and our future welfare all forbid
oar entering npon . career Of conquest.
JEFFERSON has been quoted 10 suppor:
OF impesialism. bat our opponents must
aissineuish between imperialism and
sYpsr'sien they must also distinguish
between expansion in the western
hemisphere and an expansion that IN.
wolves ne ia the quarrels Of Earope and
the Orient They must still further
distinguish between expansion which
eecrres contiguous territory for future
excitement snd expansion which secures
as alien races for future subjugation.
ssJ effsrscs favored che annexation OF
pecassasy contiguous territory sn the
North Ansricsa continent. bus be vss
oppceed 10 vars Of conquest. and
expressly condemned the acquiring OF
remote territory
when asked how the colonial policy
could be prevented. Col Brysn said :
..scms think that the fight should be
made against ratification Of the treaty.
bus I would prefer another plan. Il
the treaty is rejected, negotiations must
be renewed, and. instead Of settling the
Question according to our ideas. We
must settle il by diplomacy. With the
possibility of international complies
ions. Is will be easier. [ think. to
end The war at once BY ratifying the
.seasy aud then deal With che subject 10
our oxn wsy. The issue can be
presented directly BY resolution OF
congress declaring the policy Of che
nation upon this subject. The presi-
dent says in bis message that oar only
purpose 10 taking possession Of Cubs is
TO establish stable government and
then ,ura chat government over to the
people of Cuba. Congress- eould
reafirm this purpose in regard 20 Cubs
aud assert the same purpose in regard
80 she Philippine islands sud Puerto
Rico. Such resolution would make
3 clear cut issue between the doctrine
Of sels-goveromeus sod she docsrine OF
;.,a-;aI;su We should reserve Q
hsrtor and coaling station in Puerto
Rico and she Philippines in return for
services rendered. snd think We would
be jns.i6ed ip asking the sane conoes-
sion from Cuba.
..In the esss of Puerto Rico. where
the people have ss get expressed no
de;re for 90 independent government.
n;oht with nyonrietv dsclare our