The Saint Paul globe., 1898-10-23
AGAINST EXPANSION.
PRESIDENT Gilman, of Johns Hop
kfns, Opposes Il Colonial Policy.

kins, Opposes IA Colonial Policy
PRINCETON. N. j., Oct. 22.-Prince-
ton university celebrated it's 1921 ami
Versary today with appropriate cere-
monies. An imposing academy pro-
cession in which appeared ex-Presi-
Gent Grover Cleveland, A. TAYLOR
t,ayne. William Milligan Sloane and
other men of national reputation pass
ed from the library to Alexander hall.
Where the exercises were held. The
ceremonies were very simple, and after
bflef review of the events which af--
Ioru the occasion and a reference to
the proposed graduates school. Presi-
oent Patton introduced as the guest
or honor, President Gilman, of Johns
hopkins university. He addressed the
assembly on the theme: Books and
Folltlcs, in part as follows:
L am not an imperalist, an expan-
slonlst nor jingo. l belong to a class
OF citizens who dread revolution, trust
experience and are established by in
herltance, training and reflection in the
belief that the freedom of this countrv
1rcm foreign entanglements has Sc
cureu IL peace and plenty and is the
OASIS or its hope and faith. | feel now
as | felt in June, that it is safer TO
walk In the footsteps of the fathers
than TO enter upon the unblazoned
Pains OF the forest, which lead we
know not where
Nevertheless, is it not apparent that
the events of 1898. following in quick
succession, like the bombs from the
tCfret or battleship, have changed
the outlook? If public opinion, mani
TEST by the newspapers, expressed by
speeches, pamphlets and resolutions
and presently to be formulated by con-
gress demands that our acquisitions
remain our possession, the Americans
nave reached the most serious difficuI-
" IN government that has arisen since
the constitution of the United States
was ed-recOnstruction, perhaps.
excepted, though of this 1 am not
sure. Such a state of affairs was not
fcretold by optimistic or pessimistic
prophecy. The political results as dis
tlngulshed from the military and ma
val have been adverse TO the wishes
arguments and anticipations of con-
serVatiVe men. But here we are. in
circumstances unforeseen when the
constitution was adopted, when the
IafeWeH address was written or when
the Monroe doctrine was announced
or even in May, 1898, at the declara-
tlon of war with Spain
nateVer we may think of the an
neXation of Hawaii or the value of
Porto Rico or Of the wisdom of the re-
cent war, or Of its necessity, or Of the
itles In which this country is involved
here we are, face to face with new
problems, new responsibilities. new op-
poftunltles. They are not ghosts and
specters, which will vanish as we an
proach them; they are giants. tough
and grim, armed with clubs and full
OF deceit-with which we shall have
many rude encounter before we pre-
vail. " Here we are:
The question iS how host 20 ,,.o A.,
advantages of our position for the good
OF mankind. The Chinese policy is TO
remain shut UP within a wall, repeI
all assault and refrain from interfer-
ence with the affairs of other people
small the Americans, abandoning the
opportunities that have been placed in
their hands, maintain similar seclu-
sion and be contented with coaling sta
tions, or shall they establish themselves
as a civilizing force in the Pacific? The
Tree and enlarged exchange of the
products Of one cline or one state for
those of another is among the highest
achleVements Of civilization. Commerce
mas been the making of England as
truly as it was the making of Phoe
nlcla. International trade is the busi-
ness of the United States by which our
own welfare and the welfare of all peo-
pie with whom we have to deal is pro-
noted. Let commerce be stopped, and
all the mechanism of modern society is
brought to silence
History warns US that in our new
career we may anticipate perplexities,
embarrassments, blunders, a neglect of
the principles of efficient civil service,
the r1valries of churches, the wasteful
and perhaps fraudulent expenditure of
vast sums of money and attempts to
engraft the system Of spoiIs on the
unsophisticated and unwary 1 dread
the conflict. Nevertheless, I believe
that the American people, through their
errors, perplexities and sins will rise to
the situation before them and will sue
ceed in carrying to distant lands the
benefits of liberty, order and law; and