New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-08

tration five years ago. II was baked ana post
poned by the succeeding Democratic Admins
tration II has been cOnsunmated under Ike
publican Administration and by the votes Oh
Republican Senators and Representatives. For
with all due credit and gratitude to the patri
otic Democrats who gave the measure their
support their votes were not essential III hiu
enough straight Republican votes to pass IL
without theirs That does not deprive them Oh
the credit of having voted for II nor deny thehi
full need Of grateful remembrance III Goes
stamp the measure as Republican measure
pure and simple 1t could have been passed
without Democratic votes: it could not nave
been passed without Republican votes. liappl-
w. too the final vote in the SENATE was morally
n ratification Of the annexation treaty heeo-
tiated by the Republican Administration Inc
majority In favor Of annexation was TWO
thirds one or sufficient TO have ratified the
treaty had it been brought up instead OF the
act Of Congress. There is no room. therefore,
for the reprOach. MS In the case or Texas, thht
the act had to be resorted to because 1t was I'M
possible to get tho treaty ratified
To the historian and student of party evolr-
ton the attitude of the two parties toward MS
measure is full Of significance. In earlier years
the Democratic party was the party OF terrific
rial extension, while the Wings. with, OF co lrse,
many honorable exceptions. often opposed that
policy II was Jefferson who annexed Iousi-
ana and the whole western part OF the MlSsiS-
sippi Valley II was In MOnrocs Admlnlstra-
ton that Florida was acqulrcd-with. however.
let It not be forgotten. John Quincy Adams as
Secretary OF State II was under Tyler ana
Polk. with however the assistance OF Webster.
that Texas was made n part Of the Union. II
was under Polk and through the potent agency
of Cass that Oregon was added TO our domain.
and II was IN the same Administration that
California was acquired. though much credit for
that achievement must he given To one leading
Wing and one leading Republican. Finally. II
was under Franklin Pierce that the Gadsden
Purchase was effected: II was william l..
Marcy who first proposed the annexation or In
wall and II was trumvratc Of distinguished
Democrats that In the Ostcnd Manifesto. urged
the acquisition OF Cuba.
Thus down to the Civil War every extension
Of territory was accomplished under Demo
cratic Administration. and the Democratic party
for exactly fifty years. from 1903 10 lS53-the
fifty years Of It's greatest power and best estate
was prc-cminently the party Of territorial x
panson Since lis disruption In 1850 and dur
Ing It's years Of lforunc and comparative i'm
potcnCc II has sought 10 reverse that former ana
well-cstahlshod policy. The Alaska purchaS"
can scarcely be rcckoncd n party affair, but II
was certainly less Democratic than Republican,
The propositions 10 purchase Santo Domingo
and the Danish West Indies were Republican
Thu annexation of Hawaii IS Republican. Ana
so will be- trust. IN" acquisition. on what
ever terms Of Porto Rico. IN" Philippines, III"
Marianne Islands and perhaps others. Tn" two
parties seem thus 10 have cX hanged ground on
this important policy. Or at least the Demo
cratic party has abandoned 10 the Republican,
for the laticrs sole occupancy. rs historic
ground Whether the Democratic partys pol
lev Of territorial extension was one OF the con
trlhItory causet ot It's greatness from $50; TO
| 1888 or wheihtf il was one Of the causes 0f lis
subsequent overthrow. may 10 n question open
10 academic discussion. II IS not within the
| realm OF practical political consideration. Tia"
| Republican party. at any rate, has no mlsgv
| ings on the subject which will make II hesitate
| in pursuing and in accepting fun responsibility
| for the gnat National policy which has now
been committed 10 It's care aud keeping