Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1899-06-24
EXPANSION THOUGHTS CONTRACTED

slblllty thrustupon us by providence,
etc.,which implies that great as this ma
ton is it cannot shape its own destiny;
that it is the victim of a blind, I'M
reasoning fate, subject to the whims
of chance and the caprice Of circum-
stance. Is it fate, destiny, or the pro-
violence Of God that compels us to
abandonfundamental principles of our
government, to spurn our national
constitution, ridicule the Declaration
of Independence and malign the franz
ers of both? Have we no power with
IN ourselves to successfully oppose the
fate, destiny orpr providence that would
so devastate our principles and institu-
tiOnS?
"Would you have turned the Philip
mos over to Spain, to other predatory
nations, or to anarchy?" Spain had
quite enough of them She was glad
that some one came along to help her
let go the bear. There was no evidence
that any other nation wanted the
Philippines, and if it did, the proper,
dignifed, humane and democratic
course for this country would have
been to serve anotice upon all nations
to keep hands off. The suggestion OF
anarchy is also begging of the ques-
ton. How does anyone know that
there would have been any anarchy?
When we solemnly disclaimed any in
tention to exercise sovereignty or con-
troll over Cuba we invited the absorb
ton of that island by other nations
and the reign ofanarchy there, ifdoing
the same thing regarding the Philip
pines would have left them prey to
conqueror and lawlessnsss.
If we had allowed the PHILIPPINES to
reap the fruits of the independence
they had practically secured it would
not have been strange ifthere had been
a period of turmoil and trouble in es-
tablishing new government, as there
was in our own colonies during the
four years between the close of the
war of the Revolution and the adopt
ion of the constitution. That was the
critical period in our history; the colo
MES were mere blocks ofwood floating
in tempestuuos waters, without head,
guidance or common purpose. 1t was
a condition of anarchy, and the civil
lied world was daily and reasonably
expecting to see the Confederation 60
to pieces in hopeless ruin and formless
chaos. How fortunate for our fore
fathers that there was no great,
humane(0, selfsacrificing() nation
then in the world to dissipate that
threatened anarchy with sword and
gun and conflagration, and establish
government that in it's estimation
would have been better than any one
the forefarthers could have established
for themselves and their posterity.
The worst feature of this expansion
by conquest businessis that when the
citizen of the United States dares to
proclaim his faith in and adhesion to
the fundamental principles of his gov
eminent, to the inspiring motives and
glorious achievements of the Fathers,
to the mortal Declaration and the ma
tional Constitution he is called a trail
tor, and his words are reasonable. A
cause that demands that its opponents
shall be so stigmatized for such rea-
sonsis cause or apology that every
true citizen and every sincere lover OF
republican government will despise
and denounce! The anti-expansionist-
by-conquest is also lkened to the cop
perhead of the Rebellion, as if there
were a close analogy between the
present war and that one. The war
to suppress the rebellion was war
for national life; to determine whether
this was a nation or not, and that lite
and all it implied was in imminent
peril Is that true now? Is the life OF
the republic in jeopardy? Are our in
stitutions forcibly assailed by any OF
our own people or anybody else? Most
assuredly not. Then why liken oppo-
nents to the war of conquest now
being waged to tine opponents of a
war waged that this nation might not
die? How desperate and unholy must
be thecause that requires such accusa-
tons to uphold and justify it,
An exchange says we would get UP
in the morning and count our bless.
ings." 'Just think" says this sage
"of the countless thousands who are
worse off than you are and then be
happy" No doubt this would make
one feel good-if he has no conscience
But thank goodness, the conscience o.
the American people is at least being
aroused, and there will come a time
when they will not be satisfied with
the selfish thought that "others arr
worse off than they are. BATES Co
Critic, Rich Hill, Mo.