The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-14
THE TWO IDEAS.

the subject Of the future government OF
the territories which we have acquired
from Spain, the two ideas rel
alive ito those territories-the i'm
per.alistlc idea and the Ameri-
can idea-are briefly but strongly pre-
scented, and the position IS taken that the
welfare of this country requires that the
American idea shall be adopted in dealing
with them.
Col Bryan expresses the belief that our
country is now in greater danger than
Cuba, ana that it is the duty of the Amer
lean people 90 defend themselves and their
country against the imperialisuc or CO
ional idea The imperiaiistic idea is di-
rectly antasonistic to the American idea,
which has been cherished by the
American people since the signing of the
declaration of independence. If the peo-
pie adopt the imperalistic idea they
must abandon the doctrine that
governments derive their just pow
ers from the consent Of the governed. That
this view viii be accepted by the great
majority of earnest and thoughtful Ameri-
cans who give this subject careful con-
sIderation hardly admits of a doubt. If
we undertake a colonial policy it means
the gradual changing OF our Institutions
until the principals on which our govern
ment is founded will be lost sight of. We
cannot maintain the integrity of our in
stitutons if we attempt to govern a part
Of our people with their consent and an
other part without their consent. Either
the American idea or the mperialistc
idea must prevail.
Col. Bryan points out and very correct
", that jefferson never advocated the an
nexation of remote territory. He favored
the annexation of contiguous territory that
could be peoped with our own race, not
far distant lands having populations that
could not be assimilated nor made TO I'M
derstand and appreciate our institutions.
and which might involve us in complica-
tons with European nations.
Col. Bryan realizes fully that we have
these territories which we have acquired
from Spain on our hands, and that we
must do something with them He does
not believe in getting rid of them by re-
luSlllS 70 IdllH INT treaty Win Opdlu
He understands that such a course would
be productive OF very serious cOfnplica-
tons and might lead TO another war,
war more serious than the one just ended
He believes that these new possessions
should be dealt with in accordance with
the American idea, and that the in
tention of our government should be made
plain in a resolution of Congress, imme-
diately after the ratification of the treaty.
A resolution of that sort would settle the
matter at once and for all time. The
people would then understand that the
Philippines, and even Porto Rico, if the
people of that island did not desire to be-
come a part of this country, were to have
self-government just as soon as we had
established a stable government for them
and put them in the way of managing
their own affairs and taking care of them
se.ves.
We should, of course, retain coaling sta
tions and such harbors as we needed, and
should promote our trade relations with
them in every proper way. No doubt the
point will be raised that we would get
practically nothing for our expenditure of
blood and treasure in our war with Spain
If this course were adopted, and that our
victories would go for nothing bat is It
not a fact that We did not expect any
thing when We undertook the war for the
liberation of Cuba? We did not
think of taking either Porto Rico or the
Philippines in the beginning. We in
tended simply 10 free Cuba from the yoke
of Spain. In accomplishing that task Porto
Rico and the Philippines have come into
our possession. 1t does not necessarily
follow that we must keep them. especially
If it is apparent that the possession of
| them would make it impossible 10 main
tain the integrity of our Institutions Our
institutions are of vastly more value to
us than the Philippines can ever posi-
| bly, be.
And now is the time to settle this ques-
ton. Delay is full of danger. Let the
| imperial policy get established, supported
by big army and great navy, together
with thousands of civil officials, and Il
would be about impossible to get back e
safe moorings, even if it became apparent
! to the people that the American idea was
! threatened with disaster
| -s-e-S