The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-01-21
IN NEED OF
PROTECTION
Americas Special Mission TO
CubanS. Porto Ricansand
FiliplnOs.
SITUATION DEMANDS IT
Events of the Past Eight Mon hs
Have Compelled Us to
Elevate Them.
ADDRESS TO ENDEAVORERS
President Clarke Says the Question Is
as to the Best Manner Of Civlliz.
Ing the People Of the Islands
ADDRESS TO ENDEAyORERS

BOSTON. Jan. eo.APrcsldent +. e
Clarke. ID, OF the United Society OF
Christian Endeavor. has undertaken 10
SCI before the Endeavorrs certain prin.
oipleS to b. considered IN determining the
attitude OF The membcFs Of the society
as 10 imperialism or national expansion.
President Clarke says:
Tho great questions involved are NOT
whether expansion will increase our *.
ports or imports: no, whether Il will In.
volve great standing army and a vas,
navy; not whether Il will increase our
national prestige and importance; no,
whether Il will involve q strict or liberal
Interpretation Of tho Constitution; not
whether 81 VIII involve tho shelving OF
tho Monroe doctrine but whether or no,
IMPERIALISM will enable America better
{" perform IT. mission among tn. great
nations of tn, world as ciynlzlng. up
lifting force"
In cnlarEing upon tho matter President
Clarke continues:
On Rla= Hubisut there u room for de
cidrd difference OF opinion. We should
not DO led by dazzling visions OF national
srontncss, which certain advocates OF
imperialism would angle bcfor,. our eyes
nor should We ha scared out OF our duty
By the umid dcars. by some who dare
not attempt great thlngs for God and
humanity.
The events of the past eight months
have given America a special misslon TO
the Cubans, the Porto Ricans and the
Ftlipinoe. And now the question Is. How
can We best perform Il?
Nv" cannot. II We would. place our
selves where We were a year ago. The
boom OF Dewey's guns In Manila and OF
Sampson's AT Santiago will never cease
to echo. We owe a peculiar duty to at
least twelve millions of people. who a
year ago weru under our particular sphere
of influence.
Can Wa most quickly elevate these
people and bring them into the front
ranks OF the civilized Christian races by
annexing them, or by converting their
lands to colonies. OF can IA best b. done
by fostering. them and protecting them
Tor little until they are able TO so along
rs FREQ and Independent states? That.
1t seems to me, is the great question OF
tho day. as far as these nations are
III this question is not settled as God
would have Il settled, 1t will be a sorry
day Tor America, IL II is settled right,
Il Will not only bring untold blessings
to those peoples OF the West Indies and
the south seas, bur 1t will bring the dawn
of a new era To the world, for It Will
show that a strong nation goes even to
tho point OF war, not for its own glory
and ACKNOWLEDGMENT, but for the tleva-
ton and advancement OF weak and
downtrodden people.
III this, Americas avowed purpose
proves to 10 her real purpose, It will be
a prouder thing than 5ver To be- called an
American, il 1t should prove that we
have gone to war and are exploiting these
people simply for our own commercial ad-
vantage, with little thought Of their in
forests or advancement, We should be-
come as we deserve to become. a kissing
,yword among the nations"