New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1898-12-21
Expansion
Dangerous
Col. VIM. J. Bryan Talks Strongly Against
aPollcy of Imperialism.
This Nation, He Says, Cannot Endure
Half Republic and Half Colony.

"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-
Guided, I believe that I can be more
useful to my country as civilian than
a soldier" Mr.. Bryan then proceeded
to the discussion of public questions,
saying:
"The people of the United States, hav-
ing rescued Cuba from foreign coutrol,
may now resume the discussion of the
domestic problems which confront this
nation, and proceed to the consideration
of the new questions arising out of the
war.
Il may he in error, but in my judy
ment our nation is in greater danger
just now than Cuba. Our people de-
Tended Cuba against foreign arms; now
they must defend themselves and their
country against foreign idea-the COL
onial idea of European nations. Here
tefore greed has perverted the govern
nent and used it's instrumental interfer-
ences for private gain; but now the very
foundation principles of our govern
ment are assaulted.
"The imperialistic idea is directly an
tagonistic to the idea and ideals which
have been cherished by the American
people since the signing of the declara-
ton 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 a.
bandon the doctrine that governments
derive their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed.
"We may believe that governments
come ur from the people, or we may
believe that governments come down
to the people from those who possess
the heaviest cannons and the largest
ships, but we cannot advocate both
doctrines.
s'To borrow a Bible quotation, a
house divided against itself cannot
stand; paraphrasing Lincoln's declara-
ton. may add that this nation cannot
endure half republic and half colony
half free and half vassal. Our form of
government, our traditions, our present
interests and our future welfare, all for
bid our entering upon career of con-
quest.
jefferson has been quoted in support
of imperialism, but our opponents must
distinguish between imperialism and ex-
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 further dis
tinguish between expansion, which Sc
cures contiguous territory for future
settlement, and expansion, which secures
us alien races for future subjugation.
jefferson favored the annexation of
necessary contiguous territory on the
North American continent, but he was
opposed to wars of conquest and ex-
pressly condemned the acquiring of re-
mote territory
When asked how the colonial policy
could be prevented, Col. Bryan said
ssSome think that the fight should be
made against ratification of tie treaty
but I would prefer another plan. II
the treaty is rejected, negotiations must
be renewed and instead of settling the
question according to our ideas we must
settle it by diplomacy, with the possibil'
ity of international complications. II
will be easier, think, to end the war at
once by ratifying the treaty and then
deal with the subject in our own way
The issue can be presented directly by 8
resolution of congress declaring the
policy of the nation upon this subject
The president, in his message, says that
our only purpose in taking possession Of
Cuba is to establish stable government
and then turn that government over tc
the people Of Cuba. Congress coul6
re-affirm this purpose in regard to Cubs
and assert the same purpose in regard tc
the Philippine islands and Porto Rico
Such a resolution would make clear
issue between the doctrines of self gov
eminent and the doctrine of inn erialism
We should reserve arbor and coaline
station in Porto Rico and the Philippines
in return for services rendered and ]
think we would be justified in asking
the same concession from Cuba.