The Ravalli Republican., 1898-08-10
NOT \ NEW POLICY.
So.Callcd imperialism" us Old as Our
Government.

'''C''uol 1olIll IL. hcdSin OIL
Texas is spending few weeks in
Chicago, and the Inter Ocean prints
talk Of his regarding the policy of
so-called ''imperialism'' that present
day democratic statesmen and poll
ticians are making 50 much to do
over. The following is the article as
taken from the Inter Ocean:
EX- Senator Reagan of Texas is in
the city, spending few weeks at the
Chicago Beach hotel. lie ranks as
one Of the most historic figures of
the South. For sixteen years he was
Il member Of the house Of representa-
tives, resigning his seat in SS7 when
chosen seuator from the Lone Star
state. Two years before his senator
ial term was completed he retired to
take control Of the railroad commis-
sion Of Texas.
The venerable Texan is the only
surviving member Of the cabinet Of
Jefferson Davis. lIc was postmaster
general Of the Confedcracy, and to-
ward the close Of the war was also
secretary Of the treasury. Though
retired from the service Of his state
at Washington, he takes great inter-
est in the questions or the day, and is
regarded as Il commanding authority
throughout the South.
AS to the disposition Of Cuba and
Porto Rico, and the other possessions
Of Spain, he has definite and decided
views. He is an ''impcrialist" Of the
old school, and the cry raised by the
opposition to the United States ac-
During territory he treats with ridi-
culc.
"Whatcvcr opinion may be about
the disposition Of Cuba" said Senator
Reagan yesterday, ''yOu can put it
down that the island will belong to
thc United States when this war is
over. That has been the trend Of
the last fifty years. | believe it was
a mistake for the president and the
government to announce that the
government had no further purpose
than to give the Cubans their free
dom. 1t was evidently done to pre-
vent interference by other powers,
but it was an apology uncalled for at
the time. As to Porto Rico the pres
ident is perfectly right. 1T should
belong to this country.
"Thc annexation Of Cuba is an old
| question. President Pierce adzocat-
ed the annexation Of Cuba IN his in
iaugur"l address. During the Polk
administration Spain Was offered
800, 600, 600 for the island. and while
buchanan was secretary Of state he
was joined by Senators Sidell and
Snuic OF Louisiana in urging the
president TO offer Hi2 900, 900. When
these efforts failed our people Of the
South were so anxious TO get Cuba
that they organized fIibustcring ex-
petitions and determined to take it
without Legislative sanction. Now
some people call it ''imperialism" to
want it.
"Thcrc appears to be Il strange set
Of Inconsistent statesmen who assume
that any acquisition Of territory will
be against the constitution and i'm
peril our institutions, and they have
made the catchWord ''impcrjalism. ;"
These questions arc not new with
nc. [ discussed them wears ago in
the houSe-thc questions of sea coast
delenScs, the enlargement or the
navy, the need Of Il channel through
the isthmuS, the urgent demand Of
Pacific waters where we could supply
and repair our ships and reach out
for the trade Of Western Europe.
China, Japan and Australia. | have
long believed in this policy, and if it
is followed it will make the United
States the greatest commercial cOiln-
try in the world.
''Blt as to the catchword :impcr-
ialism, il desire to acquire terri
tory is Imperialism, President JcfIcr-
son was the greatest impcrialst we
ever had. When the constitution
was adopted, our territory was only
10000 or 800, 900 square miles Rv
the acquisition Of the territory Of
Louisiana he secured | 200, 900 square
miles additional and the control Of
the Mississippi river.
SIN 1903 President Monroe secured
florida, &C. 900 square miles. lie
was another impcrialiSt. In IS4G-7,
under Polk, Texas was annexed, in
cluding within her boundaries over
3OO,0 square miles. More imper-
ialism. AS the result OF tho Mexican
war the United States acquired 800 i
900 square miles more. Still more
imperialism. All the admnistra-
1ions down to the civil war urged the
acquisition Of Cuba. They were all
impcrialists. Now We have brood
Of statesmen Who think it unc0nSti-
tutiOnal To acquire territory. They
seem to be unfamiliar with the his
tory Of their own country and quite
unfamiliar with the history Of the
democratic party. One gentleman
said to me: why, the republicans
want TO acquire territory ! told
him should welcome their adoption
Of our traditional policy, but that
we surely should not be driven to
abandon it because they had come to
it. wonId not swap sides with the
republicans, a> some seem to do.
"Ncithcr Cuba nor Porto Rico is |
capable of elf-govcrnmcnt at the
present time. That they will become
SO under tutclage Of the United
States | have no doubt. These are
questions that must be handled BY
his country VIII h thp Urp:)trSt carp