The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-05
THE HIsToRICzL PoLICr.
Ex-Msyor Matthews Speaks ON Expansion
mt fremont Temple in Boston.

Boston. July 4.-Boston's official celebration
OF Independence Day began this morning with
exercises in fremont Temple. Mayor Quincy
presided. and x-Mayor Nathan Matthews. Jr..
was the orator OF the day. MIR. Matthews made
a strong speech in favor OF expansion. which
was very well received by the large gathering.
Among other things he said;
"FortysX years ago to-day the city orator
predicted that in some distant age America.
using the islands OF the Pacific az stepping
stones on her triumphal march, would advance
from her western coast to the shores OF the
Oriental world. and that Asia. the birthplace OF
nations. would come forth from her fallen
state and revive under the genial influence OF
our benehcent institutions William II.
Seward. one Of tho most far sighted statesmen
our country has produced. regarded the or
RanlHation OF society and government on
this continent as but preliminary to the
reunion OF the two civilizations which
parted on the plains Of Asia four
thousand years ago. and ventured the
shores. it's islands and the vast domain be-
yond. would become the chief theatre of events
in the worlds great hereafter Shall the
United States OF America become an Asiatic
power. This is the problem which confronts
the nation in the closing days Of the nineteenth
century. It is essentially new question, now
presented for the first time in our political his
tory and upon its determination depends the
prosperity of our country during the next
hundred years aud the whole future of civil-
+ History has vndicated tho 'imperialists' OF
other days from Jefferson. to Seward: it will
Justify the cxpansionists OF the present Z me.
Independence, union eInpre-these nave
ton. The traditional policy Of the United
States has been expansion
The industrial battle ground OF the
twentieth century will be in eastern Asia, and
IN fifty years the commerce. of the Pacific
Ocean will rival that OF the Atlantic. Are we.
situated in the middle Of this contest, to take
no rhrt in 1t. and to have no share in its
results Are we, with our eyes wide open as
to the fate OF China to deliberately elect W hat
to some may seem splendid isolation hut
turbance. unsatisflcd ambition. and political
turmoil both at home and abroad
While the COMMERCIAL necessities OF the
country are SUFFICIENT justification for our
Intervention in the East. loftier motives are not
absent. The question is not whether we shall
let the Fiipinos govern themselves. but
to misgovern all the rest. We have no more
right to abandon these Isl ands and their occu-
pants to savage or semi-civiliHed misrulo than
Dewey had TO scuttle his ships after the
battle OF Manila. AS trustees we cannot resign.
~ we adopt policy OF inaction and fail to
put ourselves in a position to prevent the clos
ing up of China tighter than it was before, we
shall not thereby escape all foreign complica-
tions. Hitherto the entanglements OF Euro
pean politics have been al! on one side OF us.
Hereafter they will be on both sides
on great OCCASIONS. They will not now. They
will not permit the foreign policy OF the country
senshness or fear They will not shirk the
duties or lose thr opportunities which Provi-
denGe has PLACED before them. They will cross
the Pacific. When there may they act so WISE
ly and so Justly by al the great interests com.
mitted to their care that in after ages the chief
ann iversaries to he celebrated by the regener;
ated and grateful populations OF Oceanica and
China will be those Of the battle Of Manila and
the Fourth of July"