The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-23
AGAINST EXPANSION.
PRESIDENT Gilman, Of Johns Hop
Kins, Opposes Colonial Policy.

PRESIDENT Gilman, of Johns Hon
iins, Opposes IA Colonial Policy.
PRINCETON, N. J., Oct. 22.-Prince-
ton university celebrated it's 152d ami
Versary today with appropriate cere-
monies. An imposing academy PRO-
cession in which appeared ex-Presi-
dent Grover Cleveland, A. Taylor
Payne, William Milligan Sloane and
olher men of national reputation pass
ed from the library to Alexander hall
where the exercises were held The
ceremonies were very simple, and after
a prlef review OF the events which af-
ford the occasion and a reference-to
the proposed graduates school, Presi-
dent Patton introduced as the guest
or honor, President Gilman, of Johns
hopkins university. He addressed the
assembly on the theme: Books and
Polltlcs, in part as follows
L am not an imperialist, an expan-
slonlst. nor a jingo. / belong to a class
or citizens who dread revolution. trust
experience and are established by in
nerltance, training and reflection in the
Deller that the freedom Of this country
Ircm foreign entanglements has Sc
cured 1t peace and plenty and is the
basis of its hope and faith. I feel now
as I felt in June, that it is safer o TO
walk In the footsteps of the fathers
IMAM to enter upon the unblazoned
pains of the forest, which lead we
know not where
Nevertheless, is it not apparent that
the events of 1898, following in quick
succession, like the bombs from the
tCrret or a battleShip, have changed
the outlook? If public opinion, mani
Test by the newspapers. expressed by
speeches. pamphlets and resolutions
ana presently to be formulated by con-
Sress, demands that our acquisitions
remain our possession. the Americans
nave reached the most serious Difficult
ty In government that has arisen since
the constitution of the United States
was adopted-recOnstructi perhaps
excepted. though Of this [ am not
sure. Such state of affairs was not
ICretold by optimistic or pessimistic
prophecy. The political results as dis
tlngulshed from the military and ma
val have been adverse TO the wishes.
arguments and anticipations Of con-
serVatlve men. But here we are. in
circumstances unforeseen when the
constitution was adopted. when the
farewell address was written or when
the Monroe doctrine was announced
or even in May, 1893, at the declara-
ton of war with Spain
hateVer we may think of the an
neXatlon OF Hawaii or the value of
Porto Rico or of the wisdom Of the re-
CENT war, or of it's necessity, or of the
terms of the protocol or of the perplex-.
tiles in which this country is involved
mere we are, face to face with new
problems, new responsibilities. new op-
portunltles. They are not ghosts and
Specters, which will vanish as we an
proach them; they are giants, tough
and grim, armed with clubs and full
OF deceit-with which we shall have
many a rude encounter before we pre-
vail. Here we are:
THE question iS how host 10 ,,.o
advantages Of our position for the good
OF mankind. The Chinese policy IS to
remain shut UP within wall, repeI
all assault and refrain from interior
ence with the affairs Of other peOpIe
Snail the Americans, abandoning the
opportunities that have been placed in
their hands, maintain a similar seclu-
sion and be cOntented with coaling sta
lions, or shall they establish themselves
as ctViliZing force in the Pacific? The
free and enlarged exchange Of the
products Of one cline or one state for
those of another is among the highest
achievements of civilization. Commerce
has been the making of England as
truly as 1t was the making of Phoe-
nlcla. International trade is the bust
ness of the United States by which our
own welfare and the welfare Of all peo-
pie with whom we have to deal is pro-
noted. Let commerce be stopped, and
all the mechanism of modern society ia
brought to silence.
History warns us that in our new
career we may anticipate perplexities.
embarrassments, blunders, a neglect of
the principles Of efficient civil service
the rivalries Of churches. the wastefuI
and perhaps fraudulent expenditure of
vast sums Of money and attempts to
engraft the system Of spofls on the
unsophisticated and unwary. I dread
the conflict. Nevertheless, I believe
that the American people, through their
errors, perplexities and sins will rise TO
the situation before them and will sue
ceed in carrying to distant lands the
benefits Of liberty, order and law; and