The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-06

been rapid, and reached 100000 in 49,,
and as late as 1892 was over SOC. 900.
We now number. native-born and
adopted citizens. fully 75,O00,OO0 people.
the most active, energetic, ambitious
and self-reliant to be found upon the
earth We have by force Of our own
genius and enterprise taken first place
among nations in commerce, manufac-
lures and agriculture.
Having reached this high plane of
material development-accom as
lit has been everywhere and at all times
by the public schoolhouse and the uni-
versity, thus deepening and charging
the foundations upon which we have so
marvelously built-the United States
stands to-day not only strong enough
but charged with the solemn duty to
demand that it be consulted before any
great change shall be consummated by
the other Powers of the earth in coun-
tries with which we have peculiar and
important relations. (Applause.) We
are no longer an infant republic whose
safety lies in isolation. We have be-
come a great Power, and have duties
which we owe to large and ever in
creasing population. and which cannot
be discharged by standing passive while
the great commercial drama of the Pa
cific is being enacted.
The expulsion of Spain from Cuba and
Porto Rico and their acquisition; the
annexation of Hawaii; thei possession of
the Philippines; the construction and
ownership of the Nicaragua Canal, are
facts accomplished or soon to be con-
summated. These momentous events
mean that the United States must oc-
cupy a still larger place in the worlds
commerce, and still wider influence
upon the destinies of the nations.
And this brings, me to speak briefly of
the Oriental problem.
Both England and the United States,
under the persuasive appeals of Mr..
Burlingame, thirty years ago, were led
to believe that China had reached a
stage in her progress which gave prom
| Use of a nation able to take care of her
self, and with which treaties could be
made on the, assumption that force was
no longer needed to compel terms of
commercial intercourse
Both these countries entered into an
agreement with China, obtaining from
her no great concessions. but practically
=
her own destiny in her own way.
There was at that time no Fremont
ton that Russia would, ever interfere to
rob China of her Statehood, or that
Germany or France would take posses
sion of any part of her territory, or that
Japan would ever dare to invade her
boundaries.
England and the United States, the
two leading commercial nations Of the
globe, gave no serious consideration to
the cloud which even then hung over
and later broke with such fury upon
the people of China The weakness and
imbecility Of her Government and the
cowardice of her soldiers and sailors in
battle, and her utter lack of prepara-
ton to defend herself, were astounding
revelations.
But Russia did not share the opti-
mistic views of other nations as to
China. Her contiguity of territory and
more intimate knowledge of the Chinese
people gave her an insight denied to
others, except, perhaps Japan, of which
she has been preparing for years to
take advantage. Her great transconti-
mental railroad was but step toward
the ultimate control of not only the
trade of China, but the subversion of
elf-government by her people as neces-
sary to that control. Slowly this pro-
cess of absorption has been going on,
but was greatly accelerated by the
Japan war; until the spectacle is now
presented to the world of the oldest and
most populous nation on the globe be-
| ing carved in pieces and parceled out
as merchandise
! But what concern is that to US? you
ask. 1t is vital We are to have the
Philippines because of their nearness to
this vast hive of human activities, and
we are concerned because we are to be
thus near to China
A profound student Of the situation
thus speaks of this country of 100000, :
4 0t0 human beings: The commercial
nations, par excellence, are the Anglo
Teutonic, whose interest, in spite of an
occasional freak of hot blooded Kaisers,
or the like, is not to break up old
China, but rather if possible TO rNet
| the cracks in it. By the Introduction of
such improvements as railways. steam
boats, mining and manufactures. by
the infusion of the western spirit as a
new nervous force into the country
and Of western principles of action,
! the resources of China, in men and
material, would be rendered capable
of providing fertile employment for
white men for centuries to come. This
is the great undeveloped estate which
the present generation of Anglo Saxons
have to leave to their ever-increasing
offspring-an inheritance richer far
than all the prairies and all the gold
mines in the world, because crowned
with wealth Of humanity Of the most
efficient quality, an enormous hive of
| industry needing direction, and with
capacities for consumption commensur-
ate with their unrivaied powers Of pro-
duction.''
! And this, Mr.. President is country
now lying at our doors, which the ra-
pacity of certain nations demand shall
be dismembered and robbed of the
right of self government, and the fruits
of whose toll shall not mingle freely
through open doors, into the channels
of the worlds commerce, but shall be
monopolized by and made to contribute
to the power and the wealth of the
few predatory nations which are now
sweeping down upon this doomed and
apparently helpless people.
| China is not yet entirely disintegrated
or destroyed 1t is the duty of the
United States to interfere and save
what yet remains. In this our inter
ests are the same as those of Great
| Britain.
Thomas Jefferson was not alarmed
at the thought of an alliance with
her when the fate of the South Ameri-,
can republics hung in the balance; nor
should we now hesitate 10 invite her