The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-24
FRIDAY. JUNE q, 1898
IMPERIALISM.

Nh. coming issue between political par
tics of the United states one "hion
nromlses TO eclipse the question Oh INV
free coinage OF silver question Wn'o"
ought To- and will be relegated TO the
rol,t,cal waste heap Of rotten Platforms
"a ,oi,t,cal rags, Is the question
whether the United states shah keep !"
the maths on peace and plenty simplci'y
and sincerity which were marked out by
the founders OF this government OF
whether II shall embark in an unknown
INT pIl,tering and bewilderlng career OF
imperialism" justly 30 called.
We regert to see that Mr. Henry Wat
tergon. who has been supposed 10 De
pretty good Democrat, has been dazzied
nv the prospects Of foreign conquest ana
has expressed himself as in favor OF ex-
tending our dominion not only over CUBA
and Porto Rico. but over the Philppihe
Islands. so that we might very well
min the English In the work OF putting
the Anglo-Saxon Imprint upon the reor-
ganizhtion of China and the reparution
This he says, because I'm his opinion we
have thrown off the swaddling clothes of
national babyhood and stand forth an
international giant, armed cap-a-pie.
He SCOTS at "the traditional siay-at-
home and mind-your- own-busiress policy
laid down by Warrington, which was
wise enough for weak and struggling
nation. but does not relate to SOoO0OOO of
people occupying and traversing the con-
tinent from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
lie declares that we are, as it were,
trustee OF civilization.
and to surrender territory acquired by
the outlay Of so much blood and treas
ure would be a wanton and cowardly
abandonment of obligations and opportu-
mites literally heaven-sent for they were
not originally contemplated by anybody.
We have from a nation Of shop-keepers
become nation of warriqs'
This glowing but delusive exposition OF
great acquisitions in glttering generah-
ties. and the thoughtless assumption of
prodigious responsibilities, "as the trus-
tees OF civilization whatever that may
he. is however. tempered chillingly by his
candid acknowledgement that ut IS
true thai we exchange domestic dangers
for foreign dangers: but i'm every direc-
ton we multiply the opportunities Of the
people. We risk Caesarism. certainly;
but even Caesarism is preferable to an
archism. We risk wars: but a man has
but one time 10 die. and either in peace
or war he is not likely TO die until his
time comes. Already the young
manhood OF the country IS as a goodly
brand snatched from the burning. and
given a perspective replete with noble
deeds and elevaung ideas"
This then IL an outline OF the vision
which MIR. Watterson presents with
which 10 tempt the American people to
set at naught It's traditional policy and
10 belittie and ignore the wisdom Of
Washington.
The declaration OF the United States
that the war upon Spain was for the
sole purpose Of liberating Cuba and not
FOR the acquisition OF territory IS utterly
ignored. and In place OF these solemn de-
clarations there is held out the expecta-
ton OF recognizing China and the re-
partition Of the territories In Africa and
Asia, the retention of Cuba being re-
garded as a matter OF course.
To our mind a more dangerous and dcs-
perste course could hardly be conceived,
and w6~are cordially in sympathy with
the vicws which Mr. Cleveland expressed
in his recent address at Princeton. in
which he said the American people are
tempted every day and every hour TO
abandon their accustomed ways and en-
ter upon course OF new and strange
adventure. Never before In our history
have we been beset with temptations so
dangerous as those which now whisper
in our ears alluring words OF conquest
and expansion and point out TO MS fields
bright with the glory OF war. He reiter-
ates the truth that "our government
was formed for the express purpose Of
creating in a new world n new nation.
the foundation OF which should be mans
self government: whose safety and pros
perity should DO secure In It's absolute
freedom from Old World complications
\ and In its renunclations OF all schemes %
foreign conquest, and whose mission
should be subsection to civilization and
Industrial occupation OF the vast domain
fn which II has taken root" He solemn
Iy warns us against tho suggestion that