Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-07
Anti-E1pnn.ion Argument.

a year ago 10 puDlC MAN Nouiu hdNc suS-
gested II.
Anti-E1pnn.ion Argument.
at is difficult 10 overestimate the influ-
ence which such change in our national
policy would produce OH the character of
our people. Our opponents ask. Is our ma
lion great enough 10 do what England.
Germany and Holland are doing? They
inquire Can we not govern colonies as well
as they? Whether We can govern colonies
as well as other countries can Is not mater
tal: the real question IS whether We can
in one hemisphere. develop the theory tlat
governments derive their Just powr from
the consent of the governed, and at the
same time inaugurate. support and defend
in the other hemisphere. government
which derives lis authority entirely from
superior force. And. If these two ideas of
government cannot live together. which one
shall We choose2 To defend forcibly an
nexation on the ground that We are carry
ing out religious duty Is worse than ab-
surd. The Bible teaches US that il is more
blessed to give than receive, while the
colonial policy is based upon the doctrine
that IL is more blessed 10 take than TO
leave. i am afraid that the imperialists
have confused their beatitudes. l once
heard of a man who mixed up the parable
of the good Samaritan with the parable of
the sower and in attempting TO repeat the
former, said: "A man went from Jerusalem
TO Jericho and as he went he fell among
thorns and the thorns sprang up and chok-
ed him. We entered The Spanish war as
peacemakers. Imperiallsts have an indis-
llIct FecOllectlOn t1at q bleSSlnS mas deem
promised TO the peacemakers and also 10
the meek. but their desire for more terri
tory has perverted their memories SO that
as they recall the former il reads: Bless
ed are the peacemakers, for they shall in
herit the earth
There Is No Defense.
Annexation cannot be defended upon the
ground that we shall find a pecuniary profit
IN the policy The advantage which may
come TO few individuals who hold the
offices or who secure valuable franchises
cannot properly be weighed against the
money expended in governing the Philip
pines, because the money expended Will be
paid by those who pay the taxes. We are
the people of the United States as whole
will bring back from the Philippines as
much as they send there. There is an old
saving that it is not profitable TO buy
lawsuit. Our nation may learn by expert
ence that it is not wise to purchase the
right to conquer people
Spain under compuSion. gives us quit
claim to the Philippines in return for $40
oOe0o, but she does not agree TO warrant
pines. To buy land is one thing: TO buy
people is another Land is inanimate and
makes no resistance to a transfer of title;
the people are animate and sometimes de-
sire voice in their own affairs. But wheth-
er, measured by dollars and cents. the con-
quest of the Philippines would prove profit
able or expensive, Ii will certainly prove
embarrassing to those who still hold TO the
doctrine which underlies republic. Military
is dnLdSOulSuc our l0SOfS OIL gov
ernment The arguments which are used TO
defend it in the Philippines may be used TO
excuse II in the United States. Under mil
atary rule much must be left 10 the discre-
tion of the military governor and this can
only be justified upon the theory that the
governor knows more than the people whom
he governs. is better acquainted with their
needs than they are themselves is entirely
IN sympathy with them and is thoroughly
honest and unselfsh In his desire to do
them good. Such a Elbina ton of wisdom.
integrity and love, il difficult to find. and
the Republican party will enter upon Il hard
task when il starts out TO select suitable
military governors for our remote posses
sions. Even IL the party has absolute con-
fdence in its great political manager. SEN
ator Hanna. it must remember that the
people Of Ohio have compelled him to serve
them in The United States and that inferior
men must be intrusted with the distribution
of justice and benevolence among the ma
tons dark-skinned subjects in the Pa
cific.
Difficulties of imperialism.
''If We enter upon a colonial policy, We