Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-23
THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
1t Was A Very Different Thing from
Acquisition Of the Philippines.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
The imperialists and expansionists,
whose most blatant and reckless, IL not
ablest champion, is the New York Jour-
nal, are fond of referring TO Jefferson as
the great original champion of the policy
they are striving with all their might and
main to impose upon the government ana
induce the people to accept and endorse.
with an effrontery of false assumption
hard 10 be paralleled, they are from day
10 day claiming that the acquisition OF
Louisiana by jefferson in 1903, and the rea-
sons, motives, and policies which dictated
its acquisition justify and make proper
the subjugation and annexation-the
rape-of the Philippine Islands now.
The difference between the two cases Is
so striking and obvious that 1t challenges
credulity to accept as honest and sincere
the advocacy that is based upon their
assumed similarity. - .ho
Mississippi river and all the territory
stretching westward from that river 10 the
Pacific Ocean. The possession OF tne
mouth of the Mississippi ana lts wsSte ni
banks by hostile Power would De per,
petual menace, not only to the tIalllc anu
commerce of our people along It's ierulS
valley, but TO the peace ana llpeltleS s VI
the country. The ownership anu posSsiS
secure the unfettered navigation OF thaI
vasf waterway. but would secure also,
for the exercise and fruition OF the enter
prise and energies of our people, the I'M
mense expanse OF 1er,iLe la rIvsr oo'D''e
on and lying west or tnat river. ne
In the possession Of weak power I'M
Spain, Mr.. Jefferson said that seniU ,
danger to our interests was not lii,ti,io
nenf. but when he heard OF their cessi0n
nv spain TO France, then ruled by the
great ambitious, and aggressive Napo-
leon his fears for the safety OF our cOuh-
try were aroused, and he at once SCI on
foot negotiations for their acqulsi,iGSn'
which, in the course oil a rev nohths,
Terminated most happily. No war, no
vast expenditure in the creating ana
equipping OF large naVieS ana nasal anu
land forces, were required ior LUIS n"s -
nificent acquisition, and no spphAlion vi
a weak power; but by fair convention
and agreement with powerful France ana
ifs noWerful ruler, Jefferson. for tne price
of about ST., 900 600, obtained the voluntary
cession OF this vast ana inesli.,,iis.,1 =,
main. which, "if as densely populated, III
proportion 10 It's natural materials OF sus-
tination, as some parts or Europe, Woulu
be capable OF supporting somewhere from
four to five hundred millions OF peopis.
The whole United States became NY this
ACQUISITION capable OF sustaining larger
population than ever occupied Europe.
Its area, not including Texas (dtterwaiuS
improperly surrendered from the pnt-
chaser. ana the ftBlOH ptJOib lHC 'NSNfNS
Mountains is not far, probably, from
million of square miles. But, for all prac-
teal purposes and results, the purchase
extended beyond the Rocky Mountains to
the Pacific, and Texas should have been
ours without Remuneration.
But. independently Of territory, the
purchase secured several prime national
objects. IL gave us that homogeneousness,
unity. and independence which Is derived
from the absolute control and disposition
of our commerce, trade, and industry
between us and the sea, or between US
and the open markets OF the world ~
gave US ocean boundaries on all exposed
sides, for 1t left Canada exposed TO us and
not us 10 Canada Ii made us indisputably
and forever the controllers or the western
Hemisphere. 1t placed our nauonal
course character, civilization, and destiny
solely in our own hands. IL gave US the
certain sources Of not distant numerlcai
strength TO which that OF the mighiest
empires of the past or present Is insighi-
can't" -
And Jefferson accomplished this with
out the use OF armies or navies; and the
contamination did not Involve the pro
spective use of armies or naVies. lie
shed not solitary drop on nuInan o'ogu
He caused not tear of human woe. He
bent not one toiling back lower Dy gov
eminent burdens. And without increasing
taxes, without imposing single new ex-
action on his people. he acquired peace
ably and permanently for his country
more extensive and fertile domains than
ever for moment could the sway OF
Napoleon"
How superlativeiy preposterous II Is. 10
try to compare this transcendentally Inn
portant acquisition. contaminated by def
ferson without war, without pestilence,
without a single new exaction. to the pro-
posed acquisition OF group OF islands
1000 miles away from the nearest point
on our Pacific seacoast.-islands inhabited
hy 100000 OF Malays and nondeScripts,
Just enough advanced in the arts 10 make
them dangerous and igsubordinate-peo-
pie who can never be made capable OF
enjoying the blessings or exercising In
telilgently the prerogatives OF citizenship
under our Constitution and laws-people
who have given evidences OF their indis-
position 10 be Incorporated with us or TO
come under our governmental control. and
between whom and our people there can
never be that unity and homogeneousness
90 essential TO the maintenance or peace
and order We have been legisiatlng TO-
years 10 keep the Chinese out OF our eoun-
try. These Filspinos, Infinitely below the
Chinese In all the attributes and acquire
ments that 80 to make good citizens, the.