Washington sentinel., 1898-11-26
AN IMPERIAL POLICY,

1hs glare and glamor OF an i'm
perial policy, at the first blush,
commends itself to a great number
OF the American people. They are
dazzled by the hope of an extended
trade, by an enlarged demand tor
the surplus goods which our PEP
pie so we'll know how to manuiac-
ture, the enlarged opportunity for
our surplus labor and the riches
that it is expected would flow to
the mother country. Emigrati on
instead of immigration, would re-
duce the plumber Of those now ce-
pendent upon their daily toll, and
this would appeal to the working
men, who find competition so keen
that but halt their time is prOhtably
employed, and that not constant
and at good wages. The building
Of the Nicaragua Canal would call
for abor. An increased army
would take that many more men
out OF the ranks Of the une m
ployed- The enlargement OF the
navy and the merchant marine
would again breed race Of sailors
and advance the wages and num-
bers employ ed IN that calling.
Wars would ensue and thousands
would be destroyed and treasure
expended. The Stars and Stripes
would wave over land and sea, and
wherever planted would have to
be preserved at all hazards, tor the
glory and greatness OF the empire
would require vast forces to pro-
tect it at home and abroad. This
policy would probably bring about
a great change in our domestic
aft lirs-the tariff would have to be
reformed, for protection in ITS
highest form cannot endure with
worldwide business with all
nations.
We would gain much and have
to endure much. An imperial
policy would entail entangling
alliances with the great powers OF
Europe. We should have to throw
our weight into the scale for open
ports and free trade, and as the
most enlightened and educated
nation, we would have to wage
war against oppressors- oi all Peo'
plies. Turkey would, for instance,
have to govern Armenia with some
show Of justice, or we would have
to compel her to do so. An Amer
lean citizen must be protected IN
his business and his personal rights
wherever he might be This
would entail a vast navy IN the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and
cruisers in every cline, with we'll
fortified coaling stations and dock
yards for the repair and rehtting
OF our ships. All this will cost a
great deal Of money and taxation
would be increased accordingly;
it would probably require the war
taxes made permanent.
On the other hand would be the
Jeffersonian dictum, "Peace. com
merce and honest friendship with
all nations; entangling alliances
with none" The enforcement Of
the Monroe Doctrine could be our
only cause tor trouble or distrust,
and with the end Of this war. and
Spain removed from this continent,
the causes of collision on this score
are not likely to occur.
This imperial policy, which we
believe the Republicans are about
to inaugurate, is in a measure
forced upon them, and they catch
at it, like a man up to his arms in
quicksand, for it opens way of
escape from the treacherous
ground on which they are standing,
it annihilates the silver question
from American politics, and tas-
tens IN ono- metallism on the world
for all time. II enthrones the
plutocracy Of wealth as the ruling
caste in this country, and would
eventually breed a military des-
potism, like France has at this
moment. The younger sons otthis
rulfng caste would find congenial
occupation in our army and our
nj N and with the arrogance OF a