The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-07-23
The war with Spain gives me no con


could have been averted. [ believe that
to turn war ostensibly waged for hu-
manity's sake into war of conquest and
expansion is more shocking than under
color of a title procured at the mouth of
our cannon to rob the Hawaiians of their
little kingdom.
"What do you think ought to be done
with Spain's possessions after we drive
her armies out 2
II think we ought to pacify Cuba, as
| we set out to do, if we have to drive every
robber and bandit and chronic revolution
ist into the sea. Then let the bona fide
Cubans and Spaniards make government
of their own, and then LET us get out of
the island and stay out.
''I think we ought to surrender back to
Spain the Philippines or other of her pos
sessions captured by us after exacting and
receiving IA moderate war indemnity BY
no means and under no circumstances
ought we to permanently hold as part OF
our territory, to be governed from Wash
ington, any part of Spanish territory. The
step would be dangerous and destructive,
even if not involving us in foreign compll-
cations, which, in my opinion, would be
inevitable. The moment we leave this
hemisphere we get in the stormy zone OF
European politics.
LOWER THE WALL OF THE DINGLEY BILL.
''We have enough and to spare. We
do not have to plumber ancient empires to
find a market for our goods-as Germany
and France. 1t is better to lower the abb
surd wall of the Dingley bill and let in
the products of all countries than to con-
quer them and force our trade on them.
IF we conquer them we can at best have
nothing more than free trade with them.
If we demolish Dinsley wall we will have
the same free trade without the danger OF
incorporating elements that in the end will
work us woe.
''It is too late in this century of en-
! lightenment to follow the blind lead OF
Germany and France Trade can never
be hewn out by the sword. 1t must be
secured through the operations of peace
full, rational free intercourse. England,
under the banner Of free trade, laughs
Zones of influence to scorn. Our zone
of influence extends from ocean to ocean,
from the lakes to the Gulf, and wherever
else American products can find market,
despite the follies Of Dingleyism.
"What effect do you think the war viii
have on political parties p
II think the war will have SOLDERING
effect on the Democratic party, and per-
nicious effect on the Republican party
The first result of tho war is the sending
of 6 to l to 'inocuous desuetude. The
grave issues presented by the conquering
and greedy policy of the Republican party
absorb all others. The rays of Manila
and Santiago's s sun hide the feeble rays
of the silvery moon. The great question
of republic VS.. empire is to the front.
POLICY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
Both by tradition and policy and pres
stand for the maintenance and perpetulty
of the republic 1t must sound the alarm
and danger Of granting American citizen
ship to Asiatic hordes or governing then
under despotic authority at Washington
1t must stand for freedom of trade witt
all the nations of the earth, and not, unde1
color of wider trade, to incorporate alier
lands and alien peoples. The Democratic
party is forced to gather its adherents int
one solid mass to oppose the encroach
ments of federalism and imperialism.
sit has sure ground upon which it cal
plant it's old banners and fight for liberty
and Union, now and forever, one and in
separable. Let it swing back from tht
subtle question of finance, which the worlC
has immutably settled, into the impreg
nable position of conserving the govern
ment of our fathers for our posterity. Let
it put away the imperial crown with which
the hand of the Republican party was tc
encircle the brow of the republic. Let ii
keep the sacred principles of our constitu-
ton for Americans, native and adopted,
of our kind and race, and not waste its
excellence and impair its strength on the
dusty tribes of Asia or of the isles of the
sea.
''Let it unfurl the banner of free trade
and fling its folds to the breeze, under
which every nation can trade with us
without endangering our institutions by
being of us. 1t is the grand mission of
Democracy to make our country as benef
cent in peace as it is invincible in war.
The Anglo-American, under the constitu-
ton of Washington and Jefferson, has Sc
cured the latter; let Democracy procure
the former"