Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-06-23
BRYAN OPPOSES CONQUEST.
The Nebraska Colonel Has no sym.
patty With the Dream of a Globe
E%ncircling Empire.

OMAHA, June 17.-Col. William j.
Bryan was the principal speaker at the
dedication of the Nebraska building at
the Trans Mississippi Exposition. He
took the occasion to make reference
to the conduct of the present war, and
spoke strongly against any idea of col
onization in the Orient, or of waging
wal for the purpose of conquest.
Nebraska" he said, 'is ready to do
her part in time of war as well as in
time of peace. Her citizens were among
the first to give expression to their
sympathy with the Cuban patriots, and
her representatives in Congress took
a prominent part in the advocacy of
armed Intervention by the United
States. When the President Issued a
call for volunteers, Nebraska's quota
vas promptly furnished, and she is
prepared to respond to the second and
subsequent calls. This does not indi-
cate hat this state is inhabited by a
contentious or warlike people. 1t
simply proves that our people under
stand both the rights conferred and
the obligations imposed by the prox-
unity of Cuba. Understanding these
rights and relations, they do not shrink
from consequences which may follow
the performance of a natural duty.
GAS long as the oppressor is deaf to
the voice Of reason, 80 long must the
citizen accustom his shoulder to the
musket and his hand to the sabre. Our
nation exhausted diplomacy in its
efforts to secure a p~eaceable solution
of the Cuban question, and only took
up arms when it was compelled to
choose between war and servile &C.
quiescence in cruelties which would
have been a disgrace to barbarism.
"History will vindicate the position
taken by the United States in the war
with Spain. But in saying this l as
sumo that the principles which were
invoked in the Inauguration of the war
will be observed in its prosecution and
conclusion. II a conquest undertaken
for the sake of humanity degenerates
into a war of conquest we should find
it difficult to meet the charge of hav-
ing added hypocrisy to greed.
sis our national character so weak
that we cannot withstand the tempta-
ton to appropriate the first piece of
land that comes within Jul reach? To
infict upon the enemy all possible
harm is legitimate warfare, but shall
we contemplate a scheme for the col
o~nization of the Orient merely because
our fleet won O remarkable victory In
the harbor of Manila? Our guns de-
stroyed a Spanish feet but a they de-
stroy that self-evident truth that gov
ernments derive their just powers, not
from superior force, but from the con-
sent Of the governed? Shall we aban-
don a just resistance to European
e~ncroachment upon the western hem |
isphere in order to mirgle in the con- |
%troversies of Europe and Asia?
of others turn to thoughts of ag-
g~randizement and yield allegiance to
those who cIothe covetousness in the !
attractive garb of national destiny,'|
the people Of Nebraska will, if I mis-
take not their sentiments, plant them
selves upon the disclaimer entered
by Congress, and expect that good
faith shall characterize the making of
peace, az it did the beginning of war.
II some dream of the s%plendors of the
heterogeneous empire encircling the
globe, we shall be content to aid In
bringing enduring happiness to al
homogeneous people consecrated to
the purpose of maintaining "a gov
eminent of the people, by the people
and for the people,"