The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-12
EXPANSION,

j. f. Richard, in Washington Star
In letter just received from the presI-
dent OF western university occurs the
question of present practical interest:
DO you favor eXpanSion?" Ask the tiny
bud at the time of the vernal equinox,
DO YOU favor expansion" and ii will
exultingly reply in the affirmative Ask
the bird as II cmerges from its egg
she'll do you favor expansion" and 1t
will say aye. ASK the cub lion that PLAYS
about its mothers Outstrctched form: "Do
you favor expansion" and the reply VIII
come-"Hes, until / shall become king
Of the forest" Ask the boy that plays
his toy rattle about his mothers knee:
'>Do you favor expansion" and his
cOuntenance will flash forth the response
Yes. until r,shall be able 10 compute
the distances and motions of the planets
and weigh them In my hand" Ask the
industrious farmer whose labors and en-
terprise have built his fences supplied
good buildings, furnished productive orch
ards and meadows, filled his grGnaries
with grain and created a handsome bank
account: do you favor expansion"
With pride he will say: II am negotlat-
ing with my neighbor over there to pur-
chase his farm and add it to my do
main, so that my soES and daughters may
be comfortably located near the old home
stead"
Let us appeal to history. Ask the thr-
teen colonies in the days OF the revolu-
tion: "Do you believe in expansion With
one accord they would answer III the at
frmative. Ask President jefferson when
he was negotiating the Louisiana pur-
| chase: do you believe in expansion
His answer would he in harmony with
| his acts-''Yes.' Ask President POld
| when Texas, the one star, a mighty en-
pire in herself, was seeking TO shine in the
| galaxy of free republics: "Do you believe
! in expansion" His countenance would
| radiate with the consciousness of having
| done Il worthy deed 10 struggling hu-
manity as he pointed to his acts in socur-
| ing that state and other valuable terri
tory. Ask Secretary Seward, while en-
gagged in securing the purchase of Alaska:
| do you believe in expansion and his
reply would be in harmony with those OF
| his historic and official predecessors
| d
| Who that believes in growth and prog
| reSs can sit down and weep because
Unlce Sans dominions did not coniine
| themselves TO the original narrow limits
| of the Atlantic ocean? Who regrets the
| addition of the orange fields of Florida
| the fertile valley of the great Mississippi
| the ore-producing mines of the Rockies
| the untold wealth OF the Pacific coast, ol
| the Icy gold fields of Alaska? Who dam
| lament that form of government whici
in its incipiency required it's founders tc
| pledge to each other their lives, theil
| fortunes and their sacred honor has
| outstripped the most sanguine eXpecta
| tons of its trainers, and attained po
| sition and an influence outshining "tht
| beauty of the Chaldees' eNcellency|
| Who, believing in the right and the ca
pacity of man for self-government, anc
| recognizing the desirability of allowing
the principles of civil and religious lib
| erty 10 prevail throughout the earth
| would purposely take such steps as shal
| fossilize this modern type OF republican
| government. and end its leavening infu
ence among the nations? Who does no
believe in expansion?