Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-08-12
CA P1'URED ISLES
GOVERNOR. ADAMS BELIEVES in RE
-.TAlN.:4G ALL OF THEM. .5


Under JsJted States Rule Cuba Would
Become Paradise, He Says = Admiral
Dewey's Victory Has Tied Us to the PHIL
ippines 10y Bonds We Cannot Break. u
I have always believed that Cuba
should be under the stars and stripes.
! Today / believe that duty and destiny
demand that the United States retain
control of every island captured from
I Spain in the West Indies or in the Pa
cific, said Governor Alva Adams Of
Colorado recently. How can we better
meet the demands Of humanity than to
place our flag over lands that have been
riven with revolution or debased by tyr
amy and misrule? Congress declared
that we sought not Cuba, but it's indie
pendence and freedom. How can Cuba
be more free or independent than as a
territory of the United States? The
fourth senate resolution, as were all
declarations, was rendered null and
void by the action Of Spain in sending
the American minister from Madrid be.
fore receiving the ultimatum from the
United States. Are the natives of Cuba
prepared for independence? Are they
| qualified to maintain free state
worthy Of the sacrifices we are making
in their behalf? If the history of SINH
lar people be a guide, it would not be
ten years before an independent Cuban
republic would involve US in controver-
sy and perhaps war with some first
class power For 100 years it has been
menace to our peace, fountain OF
contagion. Under our rule it would be-
come paradise, an ideal land of beauty
four centuries Of blood and bondage.
The Nicaragua canal is the key to the
commercial destiny of America, whose
theater will be the Pacific. Cuba is the
commanding gateway to Nicaragua.
Thus the possession Of Cuba becomes a
question not only OF humanity and lib
erty, but Of peace, protection and COM
mercial dominion
The victory Of Admiral Dewey has
tied us to the Philippines by bonds we
cannot break. We cannot pass title to
any great power without danger to our
relations with other governments. 10
give them back to Spain would be a
travesty on our humanity-it would be
to put fangs back into serpent we
have made harmless We must keep
them. Civilization demands it; human
ity demands it. True, there may be
some risk. Without danger there can
be little glory. We boast of the great
ness of our country. Dare we stand be-
hind the ramparts of cowardice when
our strong arm can lift up millions
and at the same time add glory and
grandeur to our flag? The responsibility
of the individual is measured by his
ability and opportunities. This is no
less true of nations.
The war with Spain makes the Unit
ed States world power. She is no
longer self conferred provincial coun-
try, but an imperial nation. The thrill
Of empire-of a great moral purpose
may soon impel our nation to career
more noble than has ever before direct
ed the destinies of a people. For us to
pull down the flag when once planted
by our ships and soldiers would be a
surrender. To permit the Spanish flag
to go up again where the Stars and
stripes have foated would be to dis
honor the sailors and soldiers who risked
their lives to pull down the yellow EN-.
blem Of brutality and oppression. When
the American flag once floats over Span
ish territory, it should float forever.
Our flag will do for the Philippines
and Indies what it has done for Califor.
mia; Texas-for every Spanish posses
sion that has come to US. Against these
new extensions Of territory there come
the same protests that met Jefferson
when he purchased Louisiana in 1908,
against the admission of Texas, against
all Mexican cessions and against Cali
fornia and Oregon s admission as states,
against Alaska in 1867, and yet today
the American people: look upon these
additions as the proudest triumphs Of
craftsmanship.
Our factories and farms demand wild
er markets. Every laborer, every pro-
Queer, will gain by the new fields that
the Pacific will open to our commerce.
Give us control of the Philippines and
q new merchant navy will be born, and
we will see American products in Amer
lean ships carried under. the, American
flag to every foreign shore. Dove real.
ize the possibilities of the Pacific? Half
Of the population Of the globe looks out
upon its waters. In 1862 Seward said
of the Pacific, 'Henceforth european
commerce, politics, thought activity,
will relatively sink in importance,
while the Pacific ocean, it's shores, its
islands and the vast region beyond will
become the chief theater Of. events in
the worlds great hereafter: - The
prophecy Is about to burst into flower:
American ideas. American civilization.
can bring into life the unmeasured pos
sibilities that have been dormant under
the vampire rule Of Spain. A recipro.
cal commerce can be developed that will
carry happiness to every Pacific shore
and increasing power and greatness to
the American flag. >,...>. ..,Ht !.
There was never moral call more
imperative, never mission more holy,
than to give American liberty, prosper
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