The silver star., 1898-12-29
AGAINST EXPANSION.
oov. THOMAS ON IMPERIALISM
He Is Disposed to Take Conservative
Cauae-Bryan Forcibly Presents His
Views ut Reception at Lincoln

"The national political situation ls
gradually taking form. and although
we now see through glass darkly, 1t
Is evident that the opposing forces are
lining themselves up for the great con-
flict 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's
idea Is better understood on the sub
ject he will be better appreciated. He
recognizes that the islands are now lc-
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 GO"
"Will the Democratic party oppose
permanent possession of the islandSg''
was asked.
ut seems that such will be the posi-
tion of the party" replied Mr.. Thomas.
while individuals may advocate the
rankest Imperialism, 1t 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 oihers. and
his recent trip through the south was
for 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. l fear that his conciliatory
utterances will effect the end desired.
| fear that the people of the south who
cannot be members of McI<inley's par
~ 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 20 a long way to-
ward disarming opposition"
why do you fear the imperialistic
policy?"
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 standing army of
100000 men. That means, as l estimate
II. n cost of S50.000,0O0 n year. The
standing army. If enlarged to such an
extent. may justly be regarded by the
laboring people of the country as n
possible weapon against the large class
which depends upon daily wage for
bread. The policy of enlarging the
army will certainly be bitterly opposed
by the labor unions. and II is well that
they may take alarm. Ii 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 Ia
work more land
j. Bryan returned TO Lincoln yester-
dered reception at the Olive theater
by the Waman's Bmetallic League.
The house was crowded and Colonel
Bryan received an ovation. He was In.
troduced by Governor Holcomb, who
formally welcomed him home and com.
plimented him for his patriotism in en-.
listing In the army.
After thanking his nelghbors for their
cordial welcome and compllmentine
the members OF his regiment, he justi.
llad his raSiUnnfian M
II had five months of peace in the
army ana resigned In order to take a
part In fight. l am as much inter.
ested In the people OF the United States
as ! am In the people OF Cuba, and
unless ! am mistaken In Judging. we
are called upon to meet more impor.
tant problems In the United States ius,
now than will confront our army IN
Cuba.
some OF these problems were unde,
discussion before hostilIties began
others have been thrust upon us ms \
result OF the war. Let me improve this
my hrst opportunity, to assure you thu
my zenl for the reforms advocated ,
Few months ago has not In the lcas
aDated. Vital questions cannot b,
Killed or buried. and we were dealin,
with vital questions when the call I,
arms resounded through the land.
There are two new questions whicl
demand immediate attention, becaus.
Congress is asked 10 act upon theIi, n
once. The President recommends Tim
the regular army be permanently I'm
creased to 100000 men. This 0uestIo,
must bc met now or not at ALL"
Taklng up the subject OF Imperialism
MIR. Bryan said that the President I'm
misintcrpretcd the sentiment OF m,
people. They are opposed to giving m,
Philipplnc Islands back to SpaIn. bu
they have not as yet declared in fayO
OF enbarkIng upon n colonial policy. n
grent n change. he said, could not b,
undertaken without more investigation
and dcliberatIon than the people I'm,
yet given to the subject. The prIncIpn
part OF MFR. Brynn's speech was deyot
ed to the Philippine question. In ihi
connection he referred to President Nc
kinlcy's inquiry, "who will hnul dow
the ilngr md replied:
"Thc ling IL u natlonnl emblem mn,
IN obcdient to the natlOnal will. II 4
mu1e for TIM tnnt,fn mot A..