The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-05

ed the acquisition of Florida.
In is45 they bitterly fought the an
nexation of Texas.
In 1S4S they fought tooth and nail
against our taking Mexican territory
as indemnity for the war.
IN 1867 they fought the purchase of
Alaska, which is to-day worth a hun
dred times more than we paid for it
and Is constantly increasing in value.
only last year the same minority
armed with the same old arguments
opposed the annexation of the Sand
wich islands. For three months all
the, old constitutional objections of
dug from their moldy resting places
and rehashed In congress. But the
islands were annexed by large major
lily and already the subject has passed
into history. Indeed, I am afraid we
nave even forgotten the 13 wonderful
reasons given by distinguished citi-
zen of Montana standing right here a
year ago. in which he proved conclu-
sively, to his own satisfaction at least
that this government would go to
pieces on the rocks of expansion and
imperialism if the Sandwich islands
were annexed.
Unfulflled Prophecy.
&c. my friends, we see that from the
foundation of this government down to
this moment there has always been an
element opposed to territorial expan-
sion. And whenever our limits have
been extended they have invaria bly,
predicted the most dire results to our
institutions and to our government.
And it must be source of infinite sat
isfaction to the people of our country
when they reflect that with all its UNI
paralleled, magnificent development
none of these predictions have ever yet
come true.
The American flag is floating over
the Philippine islands. 1t is there just
ly, rightfully and in accordance with
the usages. laws and practice of civil
lied nations. There has never been a
moment since the thunder of Deweys
guns broke upon Manila bay and cleo
trified the world, when the protection
of the American flag could honora bly,
or safely be withdrawn. When Dewey
destroyed the Spanish fleet and broke
SPANS power, we assumed moral
and International obligation which
every consideration of national honor
and prestige demands that we keep.
We could not give the islands back to
the tyranny of Spain. because the sem
timent of the Christian people of our
country and of the world was against
that. and the overwhelming testimony
before the peace commission at Paris
that the Filipinos We're incapable of
organizing and maintaining a free and
independent government. Their action
in firing upon the American troops,
despite OUT efforts to conciliate them,
their barbarous and inhuman conduct
of the war now pending and the saw
age, infamous order and conspiracy of
Aguinaldo to murder all the citizens
| of Manila who were not natives. ought
to convince every unprecedented, reflect
ing man of their utter lack of the true
spirit and purpose and knowledge nee
essary for the successful maintenance
of their independence at this time. But
| be these things as they may: granting
| that differences of opinion exist as to
| the proper policy to be pursued in the
Philippines, admitting that it will be-
| come the duty of congress when It
meets to say what our future pei cy
is to be. the chief fact new to be con-
sidered is. that our rightful authority
is being disputed by armed force and
that loyal American soldiers, our own
| friends and neghbors and fellow citi-
zens, our own sons and brothers and
fathers, are giving their lives in defense
| of our flag. At such time no pat
riotic citizen can afford to say or dc
| that which will in the slight 81