The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-12-30

The CoIoEiaI Idea IL Impertaiisttc
ana Csnsrar~ 80 Ame-:-
san Prin iples.


Upon forwarding his resignation as
colonel in the United States army few
days ego, William j. Bryan gave ex-
I preston 20 his views On the subject OF
expansion as follows:
The people OF the United States,
having rescued Cuba from foreign con
troll may now resume the discussion
OF the domestic problems which con
front this nation and to the considcra-
tion OF the new questions arising out OF
the war.
II may be in error. but in my judg
ment our nation is in greater danger
I just now than Cuba. Our people de-
Tended Cuba against foreign arms;
now they must defend themselves and
their country against foreign idea
the colonial idea Of European nations
Heretofore greed has perverted the
government and used its instrumental
interferences for private gain. but now
the very foundation principles of our
government are assailed.
The imperiaiistic idea is directly
antagonistic to the idea and ideals
which have been cherished by the
American people since the signing OF
the declaration Of independence. Our
nation must give up any intention OF
entering upon colonial policy (such
as is now pursued by European coun-
tries), or il must abandon the doctrine
that governments derive their just
powers from the consent of the gov
erned.
I'VE may believe that governments
come up from the people or we may be-
lieve that governments come down TO
the people from those who possess the
heaviest cannons and the largest ships,
but we cannot advocate both doctrines.
TO borrow a Bible quotation: a
4 house divided against itself cannot
stand Paraphrasing Lincoln's declar
alton, ! may add that this nation can
not 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 forbid our entering upon a
career of conquest.
jefferson has been quoted in sup
port of Imperialism. but our opponents
must distinguish between imperialism
and expansion: they must also dis
tinguish between expansion in the
western hemisphere and an expansion
that involves US in the quarrels Of Eu-
rope and the orient. They must still
further distinguish between expan sion
which secures contiguous territory for
! future settlement and expan sion
which secures us alien races for future
subjugation.
jefferson favored the annexation Of
necessary contiguous territory on the
4 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 policv
could be prevented. COL Bryan said:
Some thiuk that the fight should be
made against ratification of the treaty,
but l would prefer another plan. II
the treaty is rejected negotiations
must be renewed, and instead Of set
ting the question according 10 our
ideas we must settle il by diplomacy,
with the possibility Of international
complications. Ii will be easier, j
think. TO end the war at once by ratify-
ing the treaty and then deal with the
subject in our own way. The issue can
be presented directly by a resolution OF
congress declaring the policy of the
nation upon this subject.
The president In his message says
that cur only purpose in taking pos
session of Cuba is to establish eta Die
government and then turn that gov
eminent over to the people of Cuba
Congress could reaflirm this purpose in
regard to Cuba and assert the same
purpose in regard 10 the Philippine is
lands and Porto Rico. Such q resolu-
tion would make clear-cut issue be-
tween the doctrine of self-g ovr1nment
and the doctrine CT imperialism. We
should reserve a harbor and coaling
citation in Porto Rico and in the Philip
pines in return for services rendered.;
and ! think we would be justified IN
csking the same concession from Cuba.
In the case of Porto Rico. where the
people have as yet expressed no desire
for an independent government, we
might with propriety declare our will
Sngness to annex the island il the c III
gems desire annexation; but the Philip
pine islands are too far away and their
people too different from ours to be an
nexed to the United States. even IL
they desired it,"