The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-12-29

A GREAT deal has been SAID and
written during the past few days IN
regard to the danger of expansion"
and it cannot be denied that SUCH
remarks are we'll grounded. But such
speakers fail to remember that no
great movements can be assumed oy
either people or nations without con-
tending with dangers, but nations with
such stability as the United States
must be expected .sto meet and over
come dangers.
In speech before Congress on Mon
day Mr., Williams, of Mississippi, stated
his opposition to policy which would
bring the Philippines under the sphere
of z. S. influence. He contended
that it would be hostile to the spirit OF
our institutions to assume control over
100000 unwilling subjects, that an
nexation would cost us $40, 100000 a
year. that the annexation of the is
lands met none of the tests which
applied to our past acquisitions OF
territory, and would be mistake from
a social, political and material stand
point.
Mr.. Williams said that the islands
would prove great disappointment
They were thickly populated with
peoples of heterogeneous races. They
could never afford homes or Oppor-
tunity for American citizens.
As to the matter of unwilling sub
iects there can be no question. The
recent actions of the Philippine in
surgents has showed in no uncer-
tain terms that they will be
unwilling subjects, but do these scat
tered bands represent the real feeling
of the people of the islands Merchants
and traders on the islands cannot but
welcome the establishment of American
rule as herald of stable government.
We cannot expect to make Americans
of Philippines any more than we sue
ceeded in changing the color OF the
negroes when the shackles which
bound them in human slavery were
broken. The customs of the people,
however, may be civilized. The white
dove of peace must bring for them a
government which will not only pro-
tect them from becoming The prey of
European nations, but which must
educate them either for free govern
ment or to become intelligent citizens
of the United States.
We have already acquired this terri
tory by right of conquest and TO the
United States as nation it offers the
long desired opportunity for national
expansion. For over one hundred
years the United States has felt satisfied
to claim domain of contiguous terri
tory bounded by two oceans. With
such territory her commercial inter
ests have fourished, but now comes
demand and our opportunity for
greater and broader commerce.
There can, be no doubt as to the
power of the nation to acquire foreign
territory. This government has dem
onstrated it's right to stand among the
nations of the world and with such
rights it must not hesitate to assert all
the rights of any foreign power. 1t
may seem to some contrary to our
former history, but new occasions must
teach new duties and then we can no
longer be governed by the same rules
which governed our ancestors. The
fortune of war has given US the Philip
pines as a possession and national
growth and expansion of our commerce
demands their retention by us as a
nation.
Govern them as may seem wise to
our statesmen and law givers, but let
them remain as the property of the
nation that has won them in open and
honorable conflict.