Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-10-26
TAZEWELI. VA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER g. S99

of the Orient. Manila, under American
influence, will occupy Il better strategic
and geographic position, and should be
} C c1me !; commercial center Of that portion
of the world. Commercial supremacy is
the goal of every civilized nation; it is
oaly attained through commercial prog
ress and commercial expansion. In this
great battle among the nations, without
design Of Our own, while they were hag-
Cling among themselves, Dewey sails
into Manila Bay, and we find fooihold
within two days journey of this land OF
consumers, where half of the population
Of the world is congregate within an
area no larger than the United States.
There is much political rot in the con-
slant parading of the term imperial
ISM 1t Is Il misnomer, intended to con-
fuse and deceive. 1t involves the idea
of the incorporation into our body poll
tic as American citizens of millions of
the em-barbarous inhabitants Of trop-
ica country. l do not believe such a
thing is intended, possible or desirable;
nor is such a result necessary to secure
such commercial expansion as we want.
| think the dictates of common sense
will govern he American people, and tie
ghost imperialism, sprung for political
effect, will not prevent them from gath
ering the full fruits of the victory so
easily won, and treading the path so
plainly bla&ed out by an oyerruing prov
idence.
1t will be observed, therefore, that the
Philippine question involves both poiiti-
cal and commercial consequences. Upon
its settlement, in my Judgment, depends
the future welfare Of our people i'll main
tanning equality of opportunity in the
Eastern markets. a mere su1erticial
view will not reveal its transcendant i'm
poltance. To the Southern people it is
fraught with momentous consequences
Cotton manufacturing in the South las
grown in few years with phenomenal
rapidity. Millions of dollars are now
invested i'll mills. The product of these
have found lemuneratiye markets in
China and other countries in the East,
our cotton goods being peculiarly adapt
ed for clothing the teenIing millions Of
that warm climate. Their trade is the
hope of this e. eat manufacturing III
dustry OF the South. If it is cut of by
other nations, not only the manufdciur-
er, but the producer Of raw cotton, viii
suffer
At the time of the acquisition of the
Philippines, like most Of our people, l
knew nothing about the new questions
suddenly projected by this unexpected
event upon the attention and considera-
ton of the American people. 1 have hon
estly and earnestly sought information,
and studied them, SO that | might De
able TO take such position as would be
right, and conduce 10 the best interests
of the country. | am willing to con-
cede honesty Of purpose and sincerity
Of conviction to others on these ques-
tions. II is difficult for Representa-
tive to view this question as he should
while the war is i'll progress. and both
parties attempting to make political cap
ital out Of it, one making frantic appeals
to "stand by the flag" and the other
critcsing on humanitarian grounds
everything that is said and done. When
these questions are considered by Con-
gress it is my purpose to act and vote
for what l conceive to be for the best
interests of South Carolina. a discharge
Of duty to the best of my ability will come
up to the full measure Of my obligation.
As you request, will use my utmost
endeavors TO preserve and enfOlce all Of
our "treaty rights in China, but with
the lights nov before n.e l feel that
these are feeble safeguards. The United
States, with the control of tile Philip
pines by treaty or otherwise, will be in Il
position not only to insist upon, but 10
assert, equality Of trade rights in the
East Without this all she can do is to
respectfully but firmly protest against
their violation by other nations, but, as
in the past, is not in a position TO assert
and maintain them. Yours very
truly,
JOTN l. NIcTAURIN