Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-10-09
1T WILL SWEEP THE FIELD.

1T Will SWEEP THE FIELD.
The signs of he times point to a remark
able growth in the expansion sentiment.
and it now seems that in forcing this
question to the front. as the paramount
issue for 1900, Colonel Bryan has provided
for his own political %undoing. While
the democratic press of Montana and
other western states nave followed their
standard-bearer of 1896 into the camp
of the anti-expansionists. and thereby
gone counter to the overwhelming sem
timent of the west, the east is falling in
to line with the expansion idea and a
veritable tidal wave in favor of the new
policy of industrial and commercial
growth may sweep over the country
next year.
Among the strong influences in the east
operating along expansion lines are many
in the democratic party, and western
demonstrating in a section of the coun-
try that will be first to realize the ben
eits of e~xpansion-may be taught some
wholesome lessons in the theory and
practice of national rogress by their
eastern brethren, before the campaign
of 1900 is fully under Roadway. One Of
the most significant utterances in this
democratic organ the New York Journal.
Under the caption "Expansion is in the
air. it says:
What does it all men? Why has Ad-
miral Dewey, who thrashed ar enemy
from whom the country was never in
danger, been welcomed with transports
of enthusiasm that We're never evoked
by the older heroes who saved the nation
in it's struggles for existence? 1t is not
as some of our English friends kindly
suggest, that we have grown Historically
emotional. Humor and practically have
developed in us until they have rendered
our national character almost disagree
ably romantic.
What the welcome really means. aside
from appreciation of the charm of Dew
ey's personality, is that the vast mass of
Americans approve with all their souls
the consequences Of his victory. Al for
the victory itself, as a mere feat of arms,
that plays a minor part in the rejoicings.
Suppose, for instance, that the fleet had
been ordered to sail home Immediately
after the battle, as some thought it should
have been, and that the Philippines had
been left to Spain, does anybody suppose
that Dewey would have had the place in
our national Pantheon that he occu-
pies now? Or suppose the masses held
Atkinson's opinions about expansion. it
is likely that they would have worked
themselves up to a frenzy Of enthusiasm
over Dewey? The reception of the Ad-
miral's name in Atkinsonian meetings
is sufficient answer to the question.
The manifest truth is that the people
who cheered for Dewey were believers in
expansion. as he is himself. Compare
the seven miles Of packed and howlins
humanity on Saturday with a meeting in
a third-story hall, and you will nave the
measure of the expansion and anti-ex-
pansion sentiment among the American
people. Ex-Governor Pattison, of Penn
~sylvania, is a democrat who knows
the difference between expansion and
Imperialism. 1T must be apparent
10 every one he says. that the
try is favorable to the broadcast kind
of a national policy-of reaching out fol-
commercial advantages. Nations are
near together to-day with modern facili.
ties of transportation and communica.
ton. The United States is a foremost
factor in the worlds affairs. 1 canno
imagine any American citizen who would
wish to reverse the progress of his coun-
try. cannot suppose that the demo-
cratic party, which took such a promi-
nent part in the affairs Of this country
in its former steps OF development. will
pursue any such course as proposed by
some of its DrOminent men,"
Mr.. Pattison was twice elected Gov
ernor of Pennsylvania. a state whose re-
publican majOrities are usually counted
in six figures. He is experienced in read
ing the signs Of popular feeling. and when
he says that in his recent travels in the
west he has seen no signs of a backward
movement anywhere. and S whether
the Dewey o%utpouring in New York in
dictated any abatement of national en-
thusiasm. democrats will do well to give
thoughtful attention to his observations.