Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-24
IMPERIALISM ILL ADVISED
No Good Reason for Disregsrding Our
Traditional Policy.
COLONIAL EXPANSION A STEP BACKWARD
strong Arguments Against the
Th%oughtIess C1nmor for the Re-
tention of Possessions
wrested from Spain.

OMAHA, July 2S.-To the Editor OF The
Bee: Awaiting myself Of your kind invita-
ton, l submit the following article present |
ing my views upon expansion and imperial
ism:
The magnificent and unbroken series of
victories of our army and navy, evidencing
the vastly superior fighting qualities of our
troops, give promise of a speedy termina-
ton of the war and the accomplishment of
It's avowed purpose-the establishment of
peace. The terms of peace, involving a de-
termination of the future policy of our ma
ton. are beset by the greatest danger. The
glory won by our commanders, the greater
glory won by our troops, the patriotism dis
played by a united people, stimulate the
Imagination and tempt us into u policy of
expansion and imperialism by which we
shall enter the lists with the greatest ma
tons OF the earth to compete, not simply
as heretofore, for commercial supremacy,
but also aggressive military supremacy.
Many, mole-blind to the American idea OF
the true grandeur OF nations--the develop
ment of citizens of the highest character
and worth-point to Persia, Greece, Rome,
Turkey, Spain in her glory, France at the
height of her power, England, Germany and
Russia, and ask us to embark in a like
career, forcing our and with 1t
our civilization and democratic institutions
upon the world, not by inherent worth, not
by example, not by the natural growth and
overwhelming power of ideas, but by the
sword.
They forget that their system has marked
the beginning Of the decline of every great
nation; that this government from its COM
mencement has been n protest against 1t;
that the living example of the success Of
| American institutions has been responsible
for the instruction in Cuba and the other
South American revolutions that have al
most driven the European system from
American soil and established here democra-
cies in form If not always in fact; that the
idea of liberty and equality has rolled back
across the Atlantic and demolished every
absolute throne in Europe save in Russia
and Turkey; that large standing armies are
the bane of the old world today; that large
standing armies and preparations for ag-
gressive war are and always have been an
impoverisher Of the masses, a menace to
liberty, a concealer Of governmental extrav-
agance, corruption, subversion of rights and
liberties and other evils, that, like cancers,
eat the vitals OF the body polite while the
eye Of the patriot is obscured by superficial
military glory and territorial aggrandize-
ment.
In these days OF national pride in our
soldiery we ought if never before to re-
solve to perpetuate our institutions and not
hazard them by inconsiderately departing
from the wisdom of the fathers.
American individuality Tells.
The remarkable feature of our recent vic
tories is not the ability OF our commanding
officers, although no one would detract in
the least from the glory of Dewey, Schley or
Shafter, but the wonderful superiority of
e,- naJdtor, IA nacttracu NJ THAR i'm thpir
courage and endurance, their submission
to discipline, and intelligent cooperation in
the plans of superior officers. Had Cervera
in his attempted flight from Santiago harbol
had American gunners would all their shots
2 have gone wild and all our vessels escaped
) unframed? Had the Spanish forces at Manila
: with land batteries assisting the fleet, beer
composed of American gunners, would
Dewey have obtained so brilliant a victor,
. with so little loss? Nor can this be at
/ tributed to superior discipline. Roosevelt!
3 Rough Riders have been in the most dan
/, gerous skirmishes and displayed a courag,
and GOODNESS under fire equal to the bes
Q disciplined body Of troops known to history
. and among them the college bred, pamperet
. sons OF the rich have borne themselves al
heroically as the western cowboy. All tn
goes to prove that the American soldier ex
Ctlo III liz dbllilJ " many "
every modern invention in the implement
Of war; that his nervous forces are SO de
. veloped and under control that the nois
I and smoke OF battle, the kissing of bullets
= the groans of the wounded, and all tn
n blood curdling horrors Of war do not dis
. concert him or make him fire wildly an
rapidly. 1t shows that the appreciation o
danger which comes with greater intelli
gence is associated with greater courag
. rather than with greater cowardice. Thes
n are great facts and invite an inquiry int,
= the causes that have produced such men
e which, being shown. will throw much ligh
e on the problems that confront us.
They are not accidental. From the tim
that the discussion Of the primary right
of man in every household enthused on
fathers to revolt against English oppression
! to the present time, whenever our countr
r has needed great men an abundant suppl
has been forthcoming. 1t would be strang
indeed IL a people educated from infanc
) to understand, appreciate and love thos
principles which our government peculiarl
J. represents did not develop into a stron
race, strong not only in the struggles @
e peace, but also in the fierce struggles @
war. The theory of evolution would b
> proved erroneous II the environment 1
which our people are grown and develope
did not produce a superior race. We woul
!, have cause to doubt Gods providence If
people devoted to the principles of liberty
equality and justice are not the chosen pee
v pie Of earth.
! The Spanish soldier has been reared in a
atmosphere of ignorance, cruelty, oppres
- sion, class distinctions, subserviency I
those in authority, militarism, and disdai
of labor, The Anglo-Saxon people becam
early imbued with democratic ideas. Wit
h greater liberty has come greater responsI
Of bility. Greater responsibility has develope
r stronger character and greater love of Jus
tice. The idea OF equality of man break
+ down the barrier between those who toll an
those who do not and thereby dignifes labo
ID The idea that government is for the peop
and by the people naturally associates itse
At with systems of broader and higher educs
30 tion. Education does more than fill man
ID brain with knowledge to find utterance
re words. 1t develops the nervous organism
ia The difference between en- intelligent an
ignorant laborer is recognized by all en-
ne ployers OF labor, 1t has been a stupendo,
TO fact often overlooked by those discussir
ell economic questions in this country that OF
as higher paid and more intelligent lahore