The silver lance., 1898-12-30
AGAINST EXPANSION.
GOV. THOMAS ON IMPERIALISM
He Is Disposed to Take Conservative
Cause-Bryan Forcibly Presents His
Views at Reception at Lincoln

Denver. Dec 24.-Governor-elect e.
S. Thomas was interviewed yesterday
by representative of the ROCKY
Mountain News. He said:
1.-THE national political situation is
gradually taking form, and although
we now see through a glass darkly, 1t
is evident that the opposing forces are
lining themselves, up for the great con-
fiict of 1900. Bryan is about right. The
duty of this government is to teach the
people of islands which have come into
possession of the United States to take
care of themselves When Bryan
idea is better understood on the sub
ject he will be better appreciated he
recognizes that the islands are now ac-
tually ours, and the question is what
to do with them. Men who grow eX-
cited over the thought of Imperialism
should consider that the first step has
been taken. The great problem is how
we can let CO."
"WiIl the Democratic party oppose
permanent possession of the islandsF
was asked.
at seems that such will be the posi-
tion of the party" replied Mr. Thomas.
while individuals may advocate the
rankest Imperialism, it is evident that
the great body of the Democratic par
ty will finally adopt the more conserv-
ative policy. The Republican party is
rushing headlong into territorial eX-
pansion. Many of its leaders are out
spoken in favor of taking all we can
get and holding on to every foot of the
territory. President Mckinley will go
with the stream. While he is a man of
considerable ability, he is not leader.
He acts under the advice of others, and
his recent trip through the south was
for a purpose. 1t was to quiet any
strong opposition that might appear in
the south against the policy which
will become the policy of the admins
tration. ] fear that his conciliatory
utterances will effect the end desired.
| fear that the people of the south who
cannot be members of McKinley's par
ty will be passive and will not make
the protest that they should make
against the headlong movement into
Imperialism. McKinley's intimation in
favor of the general government tax
ing care of the graves of eX-Confed-
crates was from his standpoint wise
suggestion. 1t may go a long way to-
ward disarming opposition"
'Why do you fear the imperialistic
1T is contrary to the spirit of Ameri-
can institutions, and once entered up
on means the destruction of the re-
public. Think of the standing army
that would be required. The govern
ment is advocating a standing army of
100000 men. That means, as | estimate
it, n cost of S5O.O0O.000 year. The
standing army. if enlarged to such an
extent may justly be regarded by the
laboring people of the country as
possible weapon against the large class
which depends upon daily wage for
bread. The policy of cnIarging the
army will certainly be bitterly opposed
by the labor unions, and It is well that
they may take alarm. 1t is good to
adhere TO the traditions of the past in
this country if we are to enter upon
the era of territorial expansion. Ac-
QUESTION of territory breeds the dis
ease for more, and the wisest head
could not prophesy the result. 1t is
like the slave owner of ante-bellum
days. who bought more land to work
more slaves and bought more slaves to
work more land