The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1899-01-19
Imperialism
Discussed From Financial Stand
point BY W. ]. Bryan.

"On former occasions / have quot
ed authority against the policy of
imperialism, and have insisted that
the adoption OF a European colonial
policy would endanger theperpetuity
of the republic. While every lover
of his country sho uld be willing to
surrender pecuniary advantage,
however alluring, II that advantage
would in the least jeopardize our
national existence, still the oppo-
nents of imperialism are fortunate
in having upon their side the dollar
argun ent, as well as the arguments
based upon fundamental principles.
"The forcible annexation Of the
Philippine Islands land in my judg-
ment even annexation by the consent
Of the people) would prove a source
of pecuniary loss, rather than gain.
Heretofore our acquisitions have
been confined to the North American
continent, the nation having in view
either security from attack or land
suitable for settlement. Generally
both objects have been realized.
Florida and the territory between
the Mississippi and the Pacific were
necessary for purposes of defense,
and in addition thereto, furnished
homes and occupation for an in
creasing population.
"The Hawaiian Islands are nearer
to the Western than to the Eastern
II emisphere, and their annexation
was urged largely upon the ground
that their possession by another
nation would be menace to the
United States. When objection was
made to theiheterogeneous character
of the people of the island it was
met by the assertion that they were
few in number. In the opinion of
those who favored the annexation of
Hawaii the advantages to be gained
from strategical standpoint out
weighed the objection raised to the
population. No argument made in
favor of the annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands can be used in
support of the imperialistic policy.
The purchase of Alaska removed one
more monarchy from American ter
ritory and gave the United States a
maximum of land with a minimum
of inhabitants.
I'm the forcible annexation of the
Philippines our nation neither adds
to its strength nor secures broader
opportunities for the American peo-
pie. Even if the principle of con-
quest were permissible under
American public law the conquest
of territory SO remote from our
shores, inhabited by people who
have no sympathy with our history
or our customs, and who resent our
attempt to overthrow their declara-
tion of independence, would be tax
upon our military and naval strength
the magnitude of which cannot now
be determined. Who can estimate
in money and men the cost of SUBJ
DUNG and keeping in subsection g.
100000 of people 5000 miles away,
scattered over 1900 islands and liv-
ing under tropical sun?
"How many soldiers did Spain
sacrifice in her effort to put down al
most continuous insurrection in
Cuba? How many perished from
wounds and disease in the vain at
tempt to keep the Pearl of the An
tills under Spanish dominion2 Yet
Cuba has only about 100000 in
habitants, and Havana is only half
as far from Cadiz as Manila is from
San Francisco.
"If this question is to be settled
upon the basis Of dollars and cents
who will insure the nation that the
receipts will equal the expenditures?
Who will guarantee that the income
from the Philippines, be it great or
small, will find its way back to the
pockets of the people who, through
taxation, will furnish the money?
And even if the amount invested in
ships, armament and in the equip
ment of soldiers is returned dollar
for dollar who will place pl ice up
on the blood that will be shed? If
war is to be waged for trade, how
much trade ought to be demanded In
exchange for human life? And
will the man who expects to secure
the trade risk his own life or the life
of someone else?
"The demand for standing army
of 100000 men is the beginning of a
policy which will increase the hours
of toll and fill the homes of the land
with vacant chairs.
"Let us consider for moment the
indirect cost of annexation. Grave
domestic problems press for solution |;
can we afford to neglect them in Or
der to engage unnecessarily in con-
troversies abroad?
"Must the people at large busy
themselves with the contemplation
Of destiny while the special inter-
ests hedge themselves about with
legal Edwards and exact an increas-
ing toll from productive industry?
While the American people are en-