The sun., 1899-02-04
THE rRrArr IN rInsrSrA.
A Conspicuous Democrat of Virginia Dee
nands Its Ratification.

N
mnnds Its Ratification.
To THE EDtroR OF THE suS-ST: On be-
half of the true Democrats OF Virginia thank
THE Sun for its noble efforts In behalf OF rat
fcation Of the treaty OF peace between the
United States and Spain. IL is difficult to over
estimate the disasters which would beIali us II
this treaty should not be ratified. IL would
mean n resumption ot the war win spain
under peculiarly adverse circumstances IL
would mean an irroparablo loss OF prestige to
this great country. II would so disorganiZe
the people not only OF the Philippine Islands
but also OF Cuba that It would probably take
half million OF men and two years or more TO
close the war.
The right to annex territory is certainly not
forbidden by the Constitution. Such right
has repeatedly been recognized Alaska Cali
fornia, New Mexico and Texas are conspicuous
examples. Porto Rico is also an example.
The right of Congress to govern with proper
laws annexed territory is well settled and has
long since passed from the arena OF discussion.
II must be borne in mind by all that the
ratification Of the treaty does not proprio
rigore mean that we shall annex the Phil
ippine Islands. On the contrary. Intelligent
men know that after its ratification 1t will be
years before these islands will he in fit
condition to govern themselves When that
time comes the United States may be relied on
to give them an opportunity for self-govern-
ment. In the meantime we will make them
secure in the three great rights OF humanity:
that Is, in the security OF their persons. their
liberty. and their property.
The members OF the United States Senate
who take a keyhole view OF the situation
do not appreciate the tremendous strides
this country has made In the last twelve
months. History affords no parallel to the
huyn mnlp in thnt fine IL
has touched the hearts OF the American
people: it has stimulated their pride. their
patriotism and their love Of country. 1t has
made us inyncibe II We reap the proper fruits
of our victories. We have annexed Porto Rico;
the flag OF the Union floats over Moro Castle;
it kisses the morning breeze in the Orient
and waves over Manila Shall we take It
down? The answer is. Never Has the
blood of our gallant soldiers been spilled
in vain? The men who uphold the
senilc and impotent policy of contraction
say that they are afraid OF the increase Of our
army and navy DO they think that an army
of 2T.OOO men is sufficient for n nation Of 80.
100000 people, An army OF not less than
100000 men is impGratively needed and that
Is hardly large enough; and our navy ought to
be quadrupled. This will be true democracy
and true craftsmanship.
The grand old Democratic party. in the Ma
tlOIaI convention Oh 1914, injured tne banner
of annexation to the breeze and added
glorious empire to our possessions. OBJ
struction!sts then. as now tried TO thwart
the wave OF progress. but they were
overcome. 1t is Idle TO talk about the
policy Of 1877 now, when the advance
ment of chemical and mechanical science
has made the Philippines as near to us
to-day as the Mississippi River was TO PhiIa-
delphia at that time. We are in transition:
indeed, n critical period of our history. The
very greatness OF our country entails upon our
statesmen serious responsibility. The eyes
of the nation are upon them. TO vote against
the ratification of the treaty. The enormity of
such suppostion ought to suppress even
its supposition! 1t is idle to state that the
Monroe doctrine is against annexation. That
doctrine forhids foreign countries from occu-
pying American territory. but 1t nowhere for
bids Americans from occupying foreign terri
tory Our forefathers builded better that they
knew.
With the worlds production OF gold of
S3OOOO0.OOO n year. nearly all os which
comes to America; with our exports last
year exceeding our imports over S62O, ,OOO-
900: with country furnishing the
world mora than 30 per cent. of the
exports of wheat. making Europe our debtor in
the place OF creditor. which she has so long oc-
cupied: with the expansion OF our territory
giving us new and better markets: with the
products Of our land rising with leaps and
bounds; with our prosperous business break
ing all past records, shall we stop this mighty
wave Of progress by the narrow policy of con-
traction? A thousand times no! I claim that
the Democratic party is a party of progress.
and progress means expansion.
CAMM PATTEsoN.
SUNHYs1DE PLACE. Buckingham County, Va.
Feb. l.