The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1898-11-04
From Sergeant Schumacher.
MANILA, P. I. Sept. q, 1898.

MANILA, P. I. Sept. 81, 1898.
EDITOR DENocRAT,
Dear Sir: Since my last letter to your
paper, several months ago, the war Prob
lem has practically been solved. Peace
is now the word, troops in all probability
have been recalled from Cuba and many
OF them mustered ont of the service.
Manila and the Philippines is the prob
lem before our people today, the solving
of which will take the combined intellects
of our ablest statesmen. Shall we as a
nation depart from our former policy
and traditions and enter npon scheme
of colonization and aquisition OF terri
tory9 Shall we undertake policy which
has no precedent in our national history,
il one it is Canada, and of what benefit
has that been to us?
1t is true We now have the Hawaiian
group, the benefits and advantages OF
which time can only tell, to my knowl-
edge this was merely an experiment.
But shall we, since We haye- made one
step follow il up by others and start out
in.t the game OF grab and extending OF
our boundries? which seems 10 be the
result of all such moves. II we take the
Philippines, this will necessarily be iol-
lowed by the Carolines. next the La
drones, then suppose we will take the
Canaries and all the other stray islands
in the Pacific and Atlantic.
1t is all very well and wise for some OF
these one horse editors to cit in their Of
tice and editorial chars and write artic.
les sanctioning the retaining OF the
Philippines, a move which will benefit
the masses at large not one bit, but may
benefit few individually. only wish
that those who are advocating such
move, will come here and hold them,
and live on army Tations such as we
have been living on during the past
Should the United States see fit 10
cast aside all her former traditions and
do the very thing the European nations !
Intimaied we.were going 20 war for ''tlIe |
extension OF our boundaries" Ne will |
need navy triple the number We now |
possess and an army OF not less than !
one hundred thousand men. so as TO b,s /
prepared TO be plunged into the miseries !
ot war at any time. Our standing army |
before the Just now ended war with /
Spain was not flied TO the required /
number of tweaty five thousand men. SO
how can we hope TO be able 90 raise a
army TO such n number as will |
he necessary? Many OF our people are
OF the cxhorbitAnt rates Of
.axation. What will be the result If they
are compelled 10 pay perhaps three times
The present taxes? II We increase our
army to the number il will be ohliga-
'ory. II We take the Philippines and
Siher islands taxes are sure 10 be heavier
and more OF burden on our people.
England may boast that the sun never
lets on her possessions, but let US also
that the sun never sets on the
misery and despair that has resulted
rom her policies OF aggrandiEement.
We, as a nation. have gone forward
steadily from the time Of cur birth, and
nave been the envy Of all nations. For
'ver one hundred years we have Of
cred an ideal COUP and home for all peo-
lie. Orr territories are not fully culti-
'ated and ooloniEed. There Is still room
or all eomers. so let Us concentrate our
'fforts and policies so as TO set our own
rand country fully developed, not start
ut and acquire more when we have no
Ise for IL For what does lot add too,
axes away. All these things should be
a sefsaiirA CONSIDERED ami F-ouieres. zsTssF
'efoTe attempting auv such undeTtakiag.
Let the other nations continue :l.etr
'olicies OF acquisition and acquiring OF
erritnry, let them have q standing army
MIA ANssa # L.
nd shed rivers Of blood over their pos
essions. But, Jet rs continue our former
solicy and not depart from Il, and the
treat God OF the universe will shower
blessings upon US in the future rs he has
n the past We have a great country :,
md let us develoPe j, before looking for
,ther fields.
II we retain our former policy.and trx-
Iliions, and bring our own land 10 n
higher state OF perfection. we will be able
o withstand the combined armies OF the
world; there is no army in existence that
'ould land on our shores and march two
iundred miles inland, for they would be
completely annihilated.
so let us beware, and consider well the
Itep before taking il. for when once taken
here will be no opportunity Of with
irawing IT, l am positive in my opinion
hat ii our nation takes such a step. fifty
ears hence she will curse the day that
he threw her former policies and tradi-
ion 10 the winds, and started upon an
History is filed with warn
ngs 70 nations who have an Unsuitable
reel for gain, and the terrible aud last
ng consequences that have resulted from
uch indulgence.
So, in conclusion, viii say. let us con-
lder well and not depart from a certain
y 10 an experiment, which may have |
disastrous results. Let US be content to /
etain what We now possess and America |
hall indeed tie the land OF the free and |
he home OF the brave.
FRANK c. sTEiLMAcHER,
Manila 7. l., Co. / 2nd.0r. Vol.