The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-05-16
EXPANSION.
II Corrupted and Ruined Rome and
Destroyed the Greatness of Spain.

IL would be well Tor those VINO talk OF
bur Nations entering upon a career of
conquest or expansion, to make study
Of the history Of expansion in Rome and
Spain, two nations that expanded till
they ruled over more of the world than
any two other nations that ever existed.
Their troops came back home covered
with glory and loaded with the spoils of
war, and triumphal arches were built
in honor of their great military leaders.
But the result of it all was, that the
liberties of the Romans were trampled
under foot, corruption honeycombed
the State and Society, the Empire
succeeded the Republic, and the most
virile nation that ever donned shield
and helmet became effeminate, licen-
tious and corrupt, and perished. The
African chief, Jugurtha, who was
brought a prisoner to Rome, saw the
corruption that existed in the empire
and said, "Here is nation for sale, if
there were only buyer"
Spain, at the time of the discovery of
America, was the leading nation of
Europe, and the spirit of conquest and
expansion made her ruler over more of
the worlds territory than any other
nation had ever embraced. But con-
quest brought corruption, sapped the
nations integrity and destroyed its
vitality, and its empire fell to pieces of
its own rapacity and corruption, and
Spain became fourth-rate power,
feared by none and respected by few
her own people becoming the victims of
injustice, poverty and misrule.
Human nature is the same and the
God of Justice is the same. Like causes
will produce like effects. Injustice to
others will beget injustice among our
selves. Those who trample upon the
rights Of the stranger, will trample
upon the rights of their neighbors.
Anglo-Saxon blood will not save US.
Let us be great in our love of liberty
and Justice, and in our championship OF
the cause Of the oppressed, but let us
remember that widely extended domin-
ions nor triumph over other nations
can make US a great or happy people.
The problem of Government is q Sc
rious one, even in our limited territory,
among people of intelligence. Let us
not invite weakness and corruption by
initiating the conquests of other nations
that have persisted before us, but strive
to govern well, our own family.
The example of England and her
greatness is held forth to lure us into
the path of expansion and conquest.
But we do not forget that our Nation
owes its birth to the fact that our
Fathers resisted this spirit of conquest
on the part of England; that her form
of Government is semi -Monarchical
and that her location, limited territory
and necessities, have constituted her 8
maritime power, and forced upon hel
problems that we are not called upor
to solve.
We need no more territory for oul
protection or prosperity. If we pre-
serve our purity, liberties and love O
mankind, we will command the com
merce of the world, and the world will
be our friends. If we have the spirit O
our fathers, we will not forget thu
principles on which they founded oul
Republic, and we will not lose sight O
their declaration that all just Govern
ments derive their powers from th'
consent Of the governed.
Specious pleading may prove tina
this principle is only glittering gener
ality, and that it is not practical. Blu
only on this rock can any foundation b.
laid for popular liberty. The nation
that abandons this, builds only upol
Il