Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-01-19
STONE on EXPANSION.
TIE Ex-GovERE0R's VIEWS on
THE ACQUISITION or TIE
PHILIPPINES.
Els Judgment Is Against the Amer
alton Of the Islands--Must Not
Be Tarnsd Back to SPAN
L. Oar Sentiment

TIE seventy rst regular meeting
Of the St. Louis oongregatioual oiuh
held Monday nieht at the Mer-
camille Climb in St Louia. One hun
dred guests were present and q sump-
tueus dinner was served early In tas
evening.
Ex-Governor W.. J. Stone, speaking
on the Philippine question, In brief
said:
"We have iust closed an important
epoch In our history. ] win not 70
into even abrief resume Of the causes
Of the var. Il came, I believe, with
entire Justification upon ths par. Of
the government. After Manila and
San Juan and Santiago The conaict
was ended AZ 9 result we have 8
great responsibility upon uA We
have come, By concessions to Spain,
into possession Of Porto Rico, the
Philippines and other islands. me
sovereignty Of Spain over them has
been ceded to rs and her sovereignty
over Cuba has been surrendered. II
! an Democrat haven't changed
ny opinion In regard to territorial
expansion Ii is not a political qres-
ton and Senator Hozr n only = prom
iDent leader. Reed, Sherman and
others have found themselves very
earnestly opposed to annexation.
Alongside them Srs Bryan, Cleveland
and others representing all phases
and political complications against 1t.
Personally ! have been in favor Of
the exercise Of sovereignty over Porto
REQ. would be delighted il it could
be extended likewise over Cuba.
There are peculiar conditions sur
rounding II, however. The pledge
uade not 70 conquer Cuba and We
al sgree that where the honor and
pledge Of the American nation are
given they nust be kept me day IL
practically here when Cuba can be
made ss much part Of our domain a.
Is Missouri and I believe il can be
done with sbsolute honor.
my Judgment ID against annexing
the Philippines. Since Dewey's guns
thundered there we have had q mis-
sion in those islands. Our connection
with the archipelago Is an accident
But We are there and there are four
we can do. We can keep Il,
We can turu it back to Spain, we can
withdraw Of we can aid the PiIipinos
establishing q form OF government.
No American would consent to restore
sovereignty over the islands.
ought not 10 shake them from our
bands, Is Ii were, and II the people
Of this country concur IN this opinion
We must retain them or assist them to
establish 3 government.
81 have no objection 70 the preach
ere going to the Philippines. 1t IL
tssa- obligation 70 20 among barbar-
ians and build them up. Let the
schoolmA'ams 20 and assist In civil
izing them. But shall We take these
100000 Of people and make them q
hxed part Of our nstionf II we 20
ourselves into the Eastern hemisphere
Ind acquire territory there It ia aprae-
Lical abrogation Of the Monroe doc
trIne.
sit Is not yet quite safe to open the
door to European acquisition In the
Western hemisphere. Ihave 3 dream
Of the time when every vestige Of
European power shall be swept from
he Western hemisphere and the
States flag float over it from
Patagonia to Alaska If by any means
We could extend our dominion over
Canada / would be very glad.
"But If we retain and exercise
oyer the Philippines we viii
lot stop there. We belong to the
Anglo-Saxon race and the Anglo
'sxons are land grzbbers. Like Eng
and our subjects viii be white and
lack and yellow, representing all
'eligicns- Yet here is the field our
friends want. Yet / say We
hould make haste slowly. Il viii
mean the maintenance Of vast mil
tary forces II We establish far distant
IwouId never say pail down
be flag. II any nation would try IL
you'd say as loud as anyone, NayI
"But ! want 1t to represent truth,
lonesty, justice and right. We would
o no dissonor to our flag II It were
AIKEN down by those who had the
uthority 70 unfurl it. I want no per-
on under the protection Of the Amer
an Tag who is net q citizen. want I
o subjects in foreign lshds. Help the !
to establish 3 stable govern
lent; aid them until they can stand !
Il would be more In accord
18th the genius and theory Of our !
overnment could we establish there |
great republic. Let them, with our /,
saistanee, civilize themselves" 4