Arizona silver belt., 1898-06-23
POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF
 THE WAR.

The opinion is growing that the war with Spain will mark an epoch in the political history of the United States, and that the result will Do new party allignments similar te those to be found in England, where the liberals and con seryatives are divided on the question of a home government (holding local interests paramount versus an impe- rial policy of vast extent, to promote England's worldwide prestige and in fusnce. Perhaps thero are few Ams. ricans who will dissent from the opin- ion that England owes here position as the greatest among the powers to her adherence to tho policy of territorial conquest, and that it has proved wise and profitable course; although not all ways prosecuted with just regard to the rights of other and weaker nations, Yet we are told that nearly all the great local reforms that have placed the English people upon substantially s democratic basis have been accom- plished through the liberal party, which has turned its attention to the correc- ton of existing evils and dsfssts in the laws at home, while holding foreign affairs as of secondary importance.
 It will be held by many that Eng lands success in acquiring and govern ing remote and widely separated colo niss, does not justify the United States in adopting a policy of territorial ex. psnsion, since the conditions obtaining in the two countries-geographical po- sition and ares, form of government, traditional policy and resources-are so widely divergent. Nevertheless, it is question which the American peo- pie must face, and which will before the next presidential campaign take precedence over all other issues There are always two sides to every question of importance, and the adhersnts of both policies in the United States will be able to advance arguments support ing their respective views worthy of consideration.
 Precedent will cut but small figure in the contention, because, as has been shown, each of the great parties finds itself occupying position on this quss- ton diametrically opposed to its trsdi- !ione. The very large majority of re. publicans appear to favor colonial policy to the extent of annsying the Hawaiian islands and retaining those insular possessions which we may ob- tain by conquest in our war with Spain. The democrats, on the other hand, if VIC may judge from recent utterances of prominent men in the party (Wm. J. Bryan among the number) and the vote on the Hawaiian annexation bill in Congress, are opposed to the acquisi ton of any new territory. It is prob sble that much of this opposition arises from party prejudice and a desire to hamper the administration. Certainly the administration position is the more tactfal and popular, and in the event of the successful prosecution of the war, will prove irresistible in the elections to continue the republicans in power.
 It is not to be inferred, however, That when the new issues become crys- talized that the great body of voters will continue their allegiance to the old parties. There will be found to be Irreconcilable differences of opinion which will compel new allignments, and tbe abatement of sectional jealosies re- sulting from the united opposition to g foreign foe, will promote the shifting of political lines, and from our point of view, the war and it's influence on our national existence will prove of tremendous significance, and incalcula- ble benefit to the country.
 s---~----.----<----..-s