The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-10-08
.pEmoetal, AZ llExpansion. 2


Democratic conventions throughout
the country ttat either ignore OF criti-
else the territorial policy of the admin
istration, which is one of the logical OUT
comes Of the war which they (the con-
ventions) boast was forced by the
Democratic representatives in Com
gress," are somewhat inconsistent With
the record of the Democratic party. The
leaders of the party who know the party
history realize fully that 1t would not
be the part Of wisdom to take strong
grounds against what they term Tex
pansion," or imperialism" and this ac-
counts for the fact that the criticisms of
the administration are mild, and that In
some cases the question Is not referred
to save in a vague way
From the beginning of the party down
to recent days the Democratic policy
was one favoring annexation Of terri
tory. It was under the administration
Of the reputed father OF the party
Thomas Jefferson, that nearlyoue-third Of
the present area of the United States was
annexed. That was the Louisiana pur-
chase. annexed in 1908. 1t was pur-
chased from France and comprised
l,ln,931 square miles. It was greater
area than at that time was comprised in
the United Stats. 1t now contains four
teen of our largest states west of the
Mississippi and two territories.
Jefferson was denounced in those days
for his Expansion" and un-American
ideas in pretty much the same manner
in which the administration Is criticised
now for the annexation of Hawaii and
the alleged Philippine policy. Florida
was annexed under Democratic adj
ministratlon, that OF Monroe, by the
way, the author OF the famous Monroe
doctrine. Another great expansion of
territory came under the administration
Of President Polk. We secured Texas
in 1916 during Polk's administration, and
men are still living who remember the
opposition. as well as the opposition 10
the requirement from Mexico In 1913 Of
a vast territory OF more than half mil
lion square miles, including what are
now the states Of California, Colorado
Nevada. Arizona aud New Mexico
Then came the Gadsden purchase which
gave US additional territory almost dou-
bic the size OF West Virginia.
The Providence Journal, commenting
on the present course Of the Democratic
party. In view OF the record as above
noted. remarks that the annexations OF
the past under Democratic admlnlstra-
lions are an Impressive showing 70 he
regarded with interest by the party to-
day and says;
It Is poor politics In the end to take n
certain stand on an important question
wholly or largely because the other party
organization has adopted q contrary poll
cy. Tho Republican party " BY no means
entitled 10 all the glory Of tho recent war
Democrats IN Congress stood shoulder 10
shoulder with their 0ne-tlmo political cne
mics In making appropriations last spring
and voting supplies. PnrtiHanHhip was i0r-
gotten FOR tho time and we were hl Amer
lean hrst and Democrats or Republicans
by and by But the Democratic have now
drllborntely cut themselves on from the
ndvRntHgeR 10 DO renpcd from tho success
fui termination Of the war ny returning 10
lend their approval 20 the ndministrailon,s
schemes for the acquisition OF now terri
tory even though by 90 doing thcy prove
TAcalcitrnnt 10 the record Of their parry
predecessors.
This gives the uneHyihble position Of
the Democracy exactly, but inconsist-