The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-26
IMPERIALISM APPLAUDED
Aud indicated rs the Binding Up OF
aGreat Nation.

country Shall we stop at once our great
growth ana Developments. or shall we
press forward in the struggle to main
tam an exalted place among the nations
OF the earth? Snail we follow the theO-
ries OF TnOmas jefferson or his action,
which was in direct contravention OF his
theories when he purchased the princely
domain OF louisiana 1t is known TO all
students of history that the United States
Oh America has already acquired its great
position among the nations OF the eartn
mainly BY means of war.
Two hundred years ogo the Anglo
Saxon race occupied only some three
hundred miles in the interior, the coast
line extending from Georgia TO Masa-
chusetts; to-day their possessions are
bounded by the Arctic regions, the Pa
cine ocean, and the Rio Grand Del Norte.
The celebrated National Democratic Con-
vention Of 1874 was a great assemblage,
ana avowed in its platform that the
expansion Of American territory was
true, sound Democratic doctriue. Henry
Clay and Martin Van Buren, sought 10
stem the tide which had set in in favor
OF the glorious annexation OF Texas. Both
justly and properly went down before
the righteous storm Of opposition Cen
eral zachary Taylor was sent 10 Mexico
with VIVA was politely termed IAN Army
VA Cbntl NdilNl. II Cuiuludltu III the
victories Of Bueua Vista, PalO Alto ana
Resaca De Ia Palma. and the Mexican
war made a noble expansion Of our ter
ritory. The shifting sand dunes OF Yerba
Buena were converted like magic into the
peerless city OF san Francisco, destined
10 be one of the greatest cities on earth.
80 rapidly Sas u done that IL was almost
more wonderful than Aladdins lamp.
Was not the sum of human happiness
greatly Increased by tho purchase or
Louisiana and The Mexican war; Who
can DEM It? Applying these facts and
principles 10 the present great and glo-
rious era in the history Of our country,
what Is our duty2 IL seems TO me that
it is almost blazed out in the hearts and
minds of the American people. We must
annex the Hawaiian Islands, the Philip
pine Islands. Cuba. and Porto Rico, and
crown all 10y building the Nicaraguan
canal. The greatest living writer on
naval affairs Captain Mahan. states that
the annexation OF the Hawaiian Islands
Is necessary 20 give us a coaling station
In the Pacific ocean. IL goes almost with
out saying that n we annex the Philip
pine Islands. which seems 10 be as GER
tain as fate. then the annexation Of the
Hawaiian Islands will be an imperious
necessity. or all the territory which win
be the result OF this glorious war. tina,
of the Philippine Islands will be the
most important, not only for their great
material value, but as a cOaling station
convenient 10 China. The result OF the
recent war between Japan and China
will be the inevitable Acknowledgement or
the last named empire. And what a
noble prize Is there for the bold and
the brave. II is enough TO stir fever
Ia the blood OF age" Shall not the United
States have its portion? When China is
oismembered and opportioned among the
leading nations OF the earth II will open
UP trade and traffic unparalleled IN the
annals Of the world. With the Philip
p.e Islands as our property, we can
utilize vast portion OF this trade. With
a stable government IN China and the
interior Of that vast domain opened 10
railroads and teegraphs, ii will bring
wealth TO enterprlsing men almost be-
yond the dreams OF aYarice. AS TO Cuba
and Porto Rico the righteous law Of self
preservation demands their annexation.
The proximity OF Cuba 10 our shores Is
a standing menace 10 US as long as it be-
longs 10 an European Power According
TO the Monroe doctrine, we cannot per-
nit any other European Power TO have
1t. II We conquer Spain. II we do not
take IT, who is TO have IL? After this
territory is all annexed, we must build
the Nicaraguan canal as quick as men
and money can DO It. The arguments in
its favor are SO palpable and ana I'M
answerable that l need not recapitulate
them. The Southern people OF this Union
are intensely interested in building the
inter-Oceanic canal. Galveston. New Or
leans, Mobile. Savannah, Charleston.
Norfolk and Richmohd will be benefited
enormously in their trade our people are
also peculiarly interested I'm the ac-
QUESTION Of Cuba and Porto Rico.
They will be Southern territory, and
will add 10 our strength and prestige as
a part OF the Union. WO cannot stand
aioof and occupy the isolated position
recommended by the sage OF Princeton.
Grover Cleveland. He and others like
him are back numbers I'm American poll
tics. Poor Cleveland! His utterances re-
mind me Of that doleful old hymn:
"Hark from the tombs a doleful sound"
This IS emphatically an age which re-
quires true craftsmanship. The dirt from
many political graves almost ready for
occupancy Is on the surface. Alas Alas
AS much as i love him and as valianuy
as l have fought under his banner, l
must say that II William j. Bryan at
tempts 10 stem tho mighty wave OF
American progress it will be but a short
time before the wind will whistle in the
grass which will wave over his last rest
ing place Sopnomoric rhetoric and hack
neyed plattudes do not count now for
craftsmanship. The day Of the resolu-
tons OF $3.50 has passed away. We
have come ito a parting OF the ways"
Away eth the States right theories OF
Thomas jefferson: up with the banners
Of George Washington and Alexander
Hamilton, who when they laid the foun-
dalton OF this great government "builded
better than they knew. II sound the pi-
brocf 10 the clan and appeal 20 the stall
wart Democracy OF Virginia 70 heed not
the puerie and senseless cry Of "imper-
ialism." This nation can no longer live
q hermit life II is a SANDER upon free
institutions and republican forms OF gov
eminent 20 say-that they can only exist
by being Isolated from the world. III men
who prate about States Rights would re-
fleet upon the fact that We can now talk
a thousand miles by telephone; span the
known world in an instant by the tele-
eraph: load a car In Toronto. &c break
hulk for the first time in the city OF
Mexico. they would know that Thomas
Jefferson i'm the greatest stretch OF his
Imagination never dreamed Of these adj
vancements Of science when he formulat-
ed his doctrine OF states Rights" They
would ff'they reflect know that this coun-
try Is now bound together by bands OF
steel: that the standard guage OF Amer
ican railroads has made secession or any,
thing like II and he old fashioned doc
trine OF States Rights" not only imprac-
tioable but impossible, and what wss
good craftsmanship In lI9S IS bad states
man ship in 1898. The enormous advance
ments in chemical and mechanical
1. sre.It t....a fra In