Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-14
BRYAN ON SITUATION,
Our Nation in Greater Danger
Than is Cuba,'
THE |MPER|AL|ST|C IDEA,
II Attacks the Foundation Principles OF
Our Government.
HOW WE SHOULD PROCEED.
Congress should Reaffirm Presidents
Declaration Regarding Cuba, and
Assert Same Purpose With Respect
to Philippines and Porto Rico.

| SAVANNAH, GA, December 13.-Colo-
mel w. ]. Bryan, upon leaving his COM
mand-the Third Nebraska Regiment-to-
day, gave out the following interview:
my reason for leaving the army was
set forth in my letter to the Adjutant-
| General rendering my resignation. Now
| that the treaty Of peace has been con-
| cluded, | believe that / can be more use
full to my country as a civilian than as
a soldier"
Colonel Bryan then proceeded to the
discussion of public questions, saying:
"The people of the United States. hav-
ing rescued Cuba from foreign control,
may now resume discussion of the domes-
tic problems which confront this nation,
and take up consideration of the.questions
arising out of the war.
THE COLONIAL IDEA.
81 may be in error, but in my judgment
our nation is in greater danger just now
than Cuba. our people defended Cuba
against foreign arms; now they must
defend themselves and their country
against a foreign idea--the colonial idea
of European nations. Heretofore, greed
has perverted the government, and used
its instrumentalities for private gain, but
now the very foundation principles Of our
government are assaulted.
"The imperialstic idea is directly an
tagonistic to the idea and ideals which
have been cherished by the American
people since the signing of the Declara
tion of Independence. Our nation must
give up any intention of entering upon a
colonial policy (such as is now pursued
by European countries), or it must aban-
don the doctrine that governments derive
their just powers from the consent OF
the governed.
PARTING OF WAYS.
I'VE may believe that government
comes up from the people or we may be-
lieve that governments come down to the
people from those who possess the
heaviest cannon and the largest battle
ships but we cannot advocate both doc
trines.
ITO borrow a Bible quotation. a house
divided against itself cannot stand
Paraphrasng Lincoln's declaration, L may
add that this nation cannot endure half
republic and half cOlOny-half free and
half vassal. our form of government,
oyr traditions, our present interest, and
our future welfare all forbid our entering
upon career Of conquest
JEFFERSON MISQUOTED.
Jefferson has been quoted in support
of Imperialism, but our opponents must
4 fr+f hot faIf on
pansion. They must also distinguish be-
tween expansion in the Western Hemis-
phere and an expansion that involves us
in the quarrels Of Europe and the Orient.
They must still furtherd distinguish between
expansion which secures contiguous ter
ritOry for future settlement and expan-
sion which secures us alien races for fu-
ture subjugation. Jefferson favored the
annexation of necessary contiguous ter
ritory on the North American Continent,
but he was opposed to wars Of conquest,
and expressly condemned the acquiring OF
remote territory"
When asked how the Colonial policy
could be prevented. Colonel Bryan said:
THE WAY OUT.
Some think that the fight should. be
made against ratification Of the treaty,
but / would prefer another plan. II the
treaty is rejected, negotiations must be
renewed, and instead of settling the ques
tion according to our ideas, We must settle
it by diplomacy, with the possibility OF
complications Ii will be
easier. l think, to end the war at once
by ratifylng the treaty. and then deal
with the subject I'm our own way. The
issue can be presented directly by a reso-
luton of Congress, declaring the policy
Of the nation upon this subject. The
President says in his message that our
only purpose in taking possession OF Cuba
Is TO establish a stable government, and
then turn that government over 10 the
people Of Cuba. Congress could reatfrm
this purpose in regard TO Cuba. and as
sert, the same purpose In regard 10 the
Islands and Porto Rico. Such
resolution would make a clear-cut issue
between the doctrine Of self-goyernment
and the doctrine Of Imperialism. We
should reserve a harbor and cOaling sta
tion in Porto Rico and the Philippines,
in return for services rendered. and !
think we would be justified in asking the
same concession from Cuba.
PHILIPPINES TOO FAR AWAY.
'In the case OF Porto Rico. where the
people have as yet expressed no desire for
an independent government. We might with
declare our willingness 10 annex
the island II the citizens desire annexa-
ton: but the Philippine Islands are too
far away, and their people too different
from ours 10 be annexed TO the United
States. even If they should desire it,"
Colonel Bryan leaves Savannah to-
night for Washington, and will arrive
there Wednesday afternoon. He intends |
10 enter actively into the fight against |
the Colonial policy. In fact, IT is evident
that this was the main cause that led
10 his resignation.